Biden honored at Victory Institute conference

The Human Rights Campaign held its annual national dinner on Saturday. This is a foundational event aimed at raising both funds and awareness for the ongoing fight for LGBTQ equality in the United States. For the first time in more than 20 years, the gala was moved from its traditional location at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center to the Washington Hilton. Attendees who have been coming to the gala for years say the change in venue reflects not only physical changes but also evolving priorities, including increased security and a more intimate guest list.

Despite these changes, the event was a full house, with approximately 2,500 supporters filling the International Ballroom. Ticket prices range from $450 for general admission to $1,250 for premium seats, reaching $15,000 when the 12-seat table is filled. The gala remains HRC’s largest fundraiser of the year and brings together some of the most prominent voices and allies of the LGBTQ community.

The atmosphere at night was a study in contrasts. There were smiles and fashionable ensembles everywhere, but there was an undercurrent of somber reflection as conversations throughout the night frequently turned to the ongoing fight for equality, especially in light of attempts to roll back protections like Obergefell v. Hodges and the Trump administration’s efforts to ban gender-affirming health care. The recent shooting of Charlie Kirk was noticeably absent from the discussion, despite HRC’s public pressure on the Wall Street Journal to retract a false report linking the suspect to the transgender community.

The evening program, which lasted more than four hours, was led by HRC President Kelly Robinson, who has led HRC since the end of 2022. Robinson, a former executive director of a family planning organization, gave a moving speech that balanced recognition of progress with the harsh reality that challenges persist.

“It’s really hard to dream when you’re living in a nightmare,” Robinson says. “These are not normal times. There is nothing normal about separating parents from their children, cutting billions of dollars from programs that keep people alive, or trying to eliminate our marriages. Still, love is love.”

She went on to emphasize the essential role of LGBTQ advocacy in American history.

“This is our country. We have paid the price with marches and vigils, trials and funerals, freedom songs and blood. This is our legacy,” she said. “This is our shitty country too…Every seed we plant can turn reaction into breakthrough. Every act of courage can turn despair into determination. Every dollar we raise brings us one step closer to equality. Someday we’ll be more accustomed to joy than sorrow. One day we will feel as safe under the American flag as we do under the Pride flag…We must choose hope anyway. We must choose joy anyway.”

Maryland Governor Wes Moore was also in attendance, giving an impassioned speech celebrating the progress Maryland has made in protecting its citizens and acknowledging the continued marginalization of LGBTQ people, especially transgender people.

“Silence is never forgotten. I’m drawn to fearless people, and we have exactly that kind of leader at HRC in President Robinson,” Moore said.

Without directly naming the Trump administration, he criticized policies that continue to harm LGBTQ Americans and emphasized Maryland’s steadfast protection of LGBTQ people.

“No one should feel like they have to walk around and justify their humanity in Maryland or anywhere in the United States,” he said. “We cannot choose the times we live in. The times choose us. The only question is, when that moment comes, will we run or will we lead? HRC was founded in moments like this: not when it was easy, but when it was difficult. That’s why HRC is now being built from the vanguard…Those who seek to destroy will be gone and forgotten; but those who stand up for equality and justice will be forever.”

Congresswoman Sarah McBride (D-Delaware), the first transgender person elected to Congress and a former HRC staffer, gave the evening’s keynote address. Her speech focused on the urgent need to defend transgender rights in the face of increasing attacks on gender-affirming health care for young people.

“It’s a comfort to my soul tonight to be with my parents, my brother and his wife, and my HRC family,” McBride said. “My two LGBTQ children have been a blessing to our family, and I stand before you as an openly transgender woman and as a member of the United States House of Representatives.”

Mr McBride highlighted the impact of the ban on gender-affirming care, saying: recent reports According to a study by the Williams Institute, 40.1% of transgender youth ages 13 to 17 are affected, or about 120,400 people in 27 states.

“As a transgender person, I’m scared, and I know there are millions of others just like me who are worried about where we all end up,” she said.

Despite these concerns, McBride emphasized dialogue and coalition building as essential strategies for change.

“The lesson from both our progress and our current challenges is that nothing is impossible if the public joins us. But without it, nothing is sustainable. We rejected the temporary comfort of preaching to our own choir and instead found the courage to grow our congregations. We welcomed our imperfect allies and made room for people to grow, with space and grace.”

She concluded by appealing to participants to channel their energy into positive action, including through support organizations like HRC.

“The answer to that hate is not more hate. That love invites people in. That joy grows our ranks, and hope, infectious and inviting, is the only way forward.”

Amy Sherald, an artist known for her provocative depictions of LGBTQ Americans, has been honored with the Alliance for Equality Award. Sherald’s work, including the controversial painting “Transforming Liberty,” which reimagines the Statue of Liberty as a transgender woman, recently faced censorship at the Smithsonian Institution, highlighting the continued challenges artists face when addressing LGBTQ visibility. Instead, the painting is on display at the Baltimore Museum of Art.

“If there’s any irony in the painting ‘Transforming Liberty’ being censored in America, it’s that the ideas behind it – visibility, dignity and freedom – speak louder than any wall that can be hung or taken down,” Sherald said. “That painting was a love letter to my trans friends and the trans community, and when it was censored, it felt like someone was trying to black it out for me too. The thing about art and truth is that you can try to hide it, but it will never go away.”

Sherald, a straight man, is known for his grayscale portraits that eschew traditional black-and-white representations of flesh tones and capture the spectrum of human experience. Her work often reinterprets classic American iconography, such as “VJ Day in Times Square” and the Statue of Liberty, to reflect a diverse, queer, and inclusive vision of the country.

“This room is a living portrait of freedom and progress,” Sherald said. “When freedom changes, you are what it looks like.”

Music also played a central role in the evening. Former American Idol contestant David Archuleta performed with a 10-member gay men’s choir in Washington, D.C., performing his original song “Home,” followed by a spirited rendition of George Michael’s “Freedom.” Archuleta, who has spoken openly about leaving the Mormon church despite his deep ties to his family, dazzled attendees in a grayscale cutout suit with no shirt underneath as many guests danced in the ballroom.

Non-binary singer Vincent closed out the night with two performances, including the popular “Take Me Home,” energizing and inspiring the crowd.

The gala also featured an ambitious auction and raffle, with prizes ranging from a three-day trip to Cocoa Beach and tickets to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to a luxury Tahiti cruise for two. A brand new 2025 Lexus RZ was also one of the coveted auction items. On the night, HRC highlighted its “Worth It” initiative, which aims to help LGBTQ individuals achieve their key financial goals, reinforcing the organization’s broader mission of empowering communities beyond advocacy and visibility.

Throughout the dinner, a video celebrating HRC’s history was played, highlighting the enduring fight for equality. From its founding in 1980 to fighting the AIDS epidemic and championing marriage equality, the organization now claims 3.6 million members. The clip also highlighted HRC’s recent “American Dream” initiative, which aims to bridge social disparities and ensure all Americans, including LGBTQ individuals, have access to opportunities traditionally denied to marginalized communities.

Deported gay man Andri Romero was recognized as part of HRC’s ongoing call to protect LGBTQ lives. Board members honored sponsoring companies and past board members who have passed away, and emphasized the importance of inclusive workplaces and fair treatment of LGBTQ employees.

Comedian Dana Goldberg provided moments of levity while maintaining the night’s central theme of resilience.

“You can never erase this community. We are here to stay…We have to keep the joy alive. They can’t take that away from us,” Goldberg said. She also reminded guests that small acts like donating through the Lyft app’s “Roundup” feature collectively raise millions of dollars for HRC’s efforts.

As the night drew to a close, it became clear that while the challenges facing the LGBTQ community are great, the spirit of resistance, hope, and solidarity remains strong. The 2025 HRC National Dinner celebrated not only the progress that has been made, but also the courage, creativity, and determination it takes to continue the fight for equality.