Press Releases

HRC to Honor Matthew Morrison with Ally for Equality Award at Atlanta Gala

Emmy-, Tony-, and Golden Globe-nominated star to be recognized for commitment to LGBT equality

ATLANTA –The Human Rights Campaign – the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization – will host its annual Atlanta Gala dinner on May 4, 2013 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. This year’s event comes at a pivotal moment in the LGBT civil rights movement as we await historic decisions on marriage equality by the Supreme Court.

This year HRC will honor Matthew Morrison with its Ally for Equality Award for his outspoken support of equality for the LGBT community. Each week millions of Americans, including LGBT young people, tune in to see Morrison on the Fox hit series, Glee. Morrison, who is also a star of stage and the recording industry, has used his platform to publicly support LGBT equality. He played Prop. 8 plaintiff Paul Katami in the west coast premiere of Dustin Lance Black's play, 8, in 2012. The Ally for Equality Award recognizes the outstanding efforts of those who dedicate time, energy, spirit and whole-hearted commitment to better the lives of LGBT people. This award is given to allies outside the LGBT community who stand up on behalf of equality for all Americans.

Morrison, an Emmy-, Tony-, and Golden Globe-nominated star, who made his debut on Broadway in “Footloose,” followed by “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” “Hairspray,” and “The Light In The Piazza,” is set to release a new studio album, Where It All Began, on June 4, 2013. The album is a collection of classic standards, many of which were first made famous in Broadway musicals. Morrison released his first album in 2011, a pop collection of mainly originals featuring such guests as Elton John, Sting and Gwyneth Paltrow.

“We recognize Matthew Morrison, a star in music, theatre, and television, for his public commitment to LGBT equality, and in particular to LGBT young people,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “We are proud to honor him with the Ally for Equality Award and thank him for standing up for LGBT people everywhere.”

For more information or to purchase tickets to HRC’s Atlanta Gala Dinner please visit www.atlantahrcdinner.org.

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

Human Rights Campaign Atlanta Announces Local Award Winners

Michael Schutt and Joining Hearts to be Honored at Annual Gala

ATLANTA, March 14, 2013—Today, the Human Rights Campaign announced the recipients of its two local awards which will be presented at the 26^th Annual Atlanta HRC Gala Dinner and Auction on May 4 at the Hyatt Regency Downtown Atlanta.

The Dan Bradley Humanitarian Award will be given to Joining Hearts (http://www.joininghearts.org), an Atlanta-based non-profit organization dedicated to providing housing assistance to people living with HIV and AIDS in Atlanta. Founded in 1987, Joining Hearts’ sponsors, patrons, hosts and volunteers have contributed more than $1,589,500 and countless hours to provide housing assistance. Joining Hearts is one of the oldest HIV/AIDS all-volunteer charities of its kind in Georgia and the Southeast.

The Leon Allen and Winston Johnson Community Service Award will be presented to Michael Shutt, Assistant Dean for Campus Life and Director of the Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Life at Emory University. Since 2008, Michael has served as Director of the Office of LGBT Life, where he creates and enhances educational, social, and support programs and services for students regarding issues of sexual and gender identities. Michael is also an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Counseling and Human Development at the University of Georgia’s College of Education and serves on the Executive Board of the National Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals.

“Our 2013 Award winners represent what is wonderful about our community here in Atlanta. Joining Hearts and Michael have spent years to better the lives of our LGBT community—and for this we say thank you. We are thrilled to celebrate our two award winners at our annual dinner and silent auction,” said Kaitlin Porter, co-chair of the 2013 Atlanta HRC Gala Dinner and Auction.

Last year’s Gala Dinner and Auction attracted more than 1,000 attendees and raised approximately $500,000 for HRC’s work for fairness and equality for LGBT Georgians and Americans. For more information on the dinner, purchasing tickets and sponsorships, please visit: http://www.atlantahrcdinner.org. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

Note to reporters: Photo opportunities and brief interviews may be available on site for a limited time before the dinner program. Please call HRC’s media contacts to secure media passes and special requests or for questions and story ideas.

About Human Rights Campaign

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. For more information about the Human Rights Campaign please visit http://www.hrc.org.

HRC Atlanta Gala Dinner & Auction Tickets Now on Sale

26^th Annual Dinner to Take Place Saturday, May 4, 2013 at the Hyatt Regency Downtown Atlanta; Sponsorship Opportunities Available

ATLANTA – The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, and the Atlanta Dinner and Steering Committees have begun ticket sales for the 2013 Gala Dinner and Auction to be held on Saturday, May 4, 2013, at the Hyatt Regency Downtown Atlanta.

This year marks the 26^thconsecutive year that Atlanta will host the Gala Dinner and Silent Auction, one of the longest standing fundraising events in HRC’s history. Following a year of election victories across the U.S., HRC will celebrate these important milestones, hear from national LGBT leaders and raise important funds through the Atlanta Dinner’s record setting live and silent auctions.

“As we kickoff the 2013 Atlanta Gala Dinner and Silent Auction, it’s exciting we’ll be celebrating some of the most important moments in the history of LGBT equality,” said Kaitlin Porter, co-chair for the HRC Atlanta Gala Dinner and Silent Auction. “From four marriage ballot victories to the election of the first openly gay U.S. Senator and of course President Obama, HRC has played a critical role in building greater support and advocacy for LGBT Americans. At our 26 annual event, we will recognize the tremendous progress made on behalf of LGBT Americans over the past year, while focusing on where we go from here and how we continue to build on this momentum. That is why we have selected ‘Shaping Our Future’ for this year’s dinner theme.”

Porter said that in addition to tickets for the event going on sale today, table captain registration is available for individuals and organizations who want to help HRC by recruiting friends and family to sit at their table. Also, for area businesses and organizations wanting to sponsor this year’s event more information can be found on the Gala Dinner website: www.atlantahrcdinner.org

“In the weeks to come, look for more information on special guests, sponsors and pre-dinner events. Our Dinner committee is working hard to make this the most memorable HRC event in Atlanta history. Last year, more than 1,100 supporters we in attendance and we are hoping to match this number in 2013” Porter said.

Joining Porter as co-chair for this year’s dinner will be Andrew Land. For more information on attending this year’s dinner, serving as a table captain, donating to the auction or becoming a corporate sponsor go to www.atlantahrcdinner.orgor follow us on Facebook and Twitter at HRC Atlanta.

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Save the Date!

The 2013 Atlanta Gala Dinner & Auction will be held on May 4th at the Hyatt Regency!

Sean Hayes to receive HRC Visibility Award at the Atlanta Gala Dinner and Auction

The 25^th Annual HRC Atlanta Gala Dinner and Auction to be held on Saturday, May 5, 2012, at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta Centennial Ballroom

ATLANTA – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, and members of the HRC Atlanta Gala and Steering Committees today announced that Sean Hayes will receive the HRC Visibility Award at the 25^th Annual HRC Atlanta Gala Dinner and Auction to be held on Saturday, May 5, 2012, at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. This award is given to an LBGT member of our community who brings positive and wide-spread visibility to our cause. These attributes align with HRC’s mission of creating a country that inspires andengages all Americans to work toward ending discrimination against LGBT citizens and realizing a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
Hayes became a household name in 1998, when he landed the coveted role of Jack on “Will & Grace.” His portrayal garnered him an Emmy Award (along with six nominations), four Screen Actors Guild Awards, and received seven Golden Globe nominations. Hayes’ other notable television projects include well received guest roles on "Scrubs" and "30 Rock" as well as “Martin & Lewis” a television film that starred Sean as Jerry Lewis for which he earned a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination.

Sean, who received critical acclaim for his roles in theater, television and film, quickly gained fame as the sarcastic and hilarious, Jack McFarland, on NBC’s “Will & Grace.” In addition to working successfully and simultaneously in theater, film and television, Hayes has also added producing to his repertoire. He and his production company are the executive producers of the SAG Award nomitated show “Hot in Cleveland,” a scripted comedy for TV Land starring Betty White, Wendie Malick, Jane Leeves and Valerie Bertinelli. Sean’s company also produces “Grimm,” a dark yet fantastical cop drama which takes place in a world where Grimm’s Fairy Tale inspired characters exist. Sean can currently be seen in the popular comedy reboot, The Three Stooges. Directed by Peter and Bobby Farrelly, Sean will star as Larry alongside Chris Diamantopoulos as Moe and Will Sasso as Curly. The film is currently in theaters and Sean has received rave reviews for his depiction of Larry.

In addition to Sean Hayes’s honor, Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin will serve as the keynote. This year, the Congresswoman is a candidate for U.S. Senate, and if successful she will be the first woman to represent Wisconsin in the Senate, and the first openly gay Senator in the country. Additionally, the HRC Atlanta Gala and Steering Committees are proud to announce the evening’s local honorees. The 2012 Leon Allen and Winston Johnson Community Leadership Award will be presented to the Reverend Phillip Thomason. Rev Thomason is the Minister of Outreach and Pastoral Care at Saint Mark United Methodist Church on Peachtree Street in Atlanta. This year’s recipient of the Dan Bradley Humanitarian Award will be presented to The Health Initiative.The Health Initiative is dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of Georgia’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer community through education, support, advocacy, and access to care.

More than 1,000 people are expected to attend the event held at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta Hotel, which is chaired by Kaitlin Porter and Matthew Garrett. For more information on the event, including ticket information, please visit www.atlantahrcdinner.org.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
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HRC Announces Entertainment Lineup for Atlanta Gala Dinner

Frenchie Davis and DJ Mike Pope lead the Entertainment Lineup for May 5 Event

Frenchie Davis is an R&B singer and contestant on the second season of American Idol. Davis performed in Rent on Broadway in 2003 which ran for 4 years. In 2011 Davis became a semi-finalist and came in Second place on Christina Aguilera's team on the first season of The Voice. A Grammy Award Nominee, Davis will be releasing the video (directed by Brian Friedman-Britney Spears and X Factor) called "Love's Got A Hold On Me," which is the debut single from Frenchie's upcoming self titled CD "Frenchie" which will be released in the summer of 2012.

Immediately following the Gala at the Hyatt Regency, Atlanta local DJ Mike Pope, Billboard Reporter, will provide the entertainment for the 25^th Anniversary After Party. Over the last 8 years, Pope has deejayed with international DJs including Tony Moran, Tracy Young, Johnny Vicious and Roland Belmares. He has also headlined packed dance floors in almost every nightclub and bar in Atlanta.

More than 1,000 people are expected to attend the event held at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta Hotel, which is chaired by Kaitlin Porter and Matthew Garrett. For more information on the event, including ticket information, please visit www.atlantahrcdinner.org.

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Atlanta HRC Releases Names of Local Award Winners

Reverend Phillip Thomason and The Health Initiative Reflect South’s Mix of Human Rights Crusaders

ATLANTA, February 24, 2012—Today, the Atlanta chapter of Human Rights Campaign announced the admirable winners of two local awards that will be presented at the 25^th Annual Gala Dinner on May 5, 2012. These awards will be given in conjunction with the National Ally for Equality Award and other accolades that recognize individual strides toward equality.
The Dan Bradley Humanitarian Award will be given to The Health Initiative, the Southeast’s largest non-profit agency devoted solely to the health and wellness of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning people. With a unique care model in place comprised of education, advocacy, community programs and superlative professional support, The Health Initiative (formerly known as the Atlanta Lesbian Cancer Initiative) has exponentially improved access to care for countless residents in the South.
“Along with a strong circle of support, founder Denny Doucher took on the Atlanta medical establishment, educating and opening the minds of healthcare professionals,” said Linda Ellis, executive director. “ALCI created support groups for the community and began identifying gay-friendly health service providers. As a result of these successful efforts, fewer Atlanta women report difficulty in finding lesbian-friendly healthcare or support today. We are honored to accept this award from the Human Rights Campaign.”
The Leon Allen and Winston Johnson Community Service Award will be presented to Rev. Phillip Thomason, minister of Outreach and Pastoral Care at St. Mark United Methodist Church. Thomason has been actively involved in an exhaustive list of non-profit organizations that benefit our city, serving as: chair of Trinity Community Ministries, an outreach to the poor of Atlanta; board member and chair of Atlanta Interfaith Aids Network; board member of Aids Alliance for Faith and Health; board member of Project Open Hand and Sisters by Choice, an organization offering breast care to the poor women in Atlanta and surrounding areas. Thomason was most recently asked to serve on President Obama’s task force on LGBTQ issues and the church’s role in HIV prevention.
Last year’s Gala Dinner attracted more than 1,000 attendees and raised approximately $300,000 for the organization that has become one and the same with some of the formidable causes of our lifetime. For more information on the dinner and purchasing tickets, please visit: http://www.atlantahrcdinner.org. Tickets will not be sold at the door.
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Note to reporters:Photo opportunities and brief interviews may be available on site for a limited time before the dinner program. Please call HRC’s media contacts to secure media passes and special requests or for questions and story ideas.

About Human Rights Campaign
Human Rights Campaign represents a grassroots force of more than more than 750,000 members and supporters nationwide. As the largest national gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, HRC envisions an America where LGBT people are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community. For more information about Human Rights Campaign please visit http://www.hrc.org.

Special Guest Announced: Lee Daniels

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 22, 2011
Ed Patterson: 404-213-3106or edvol@bellsouth.net
Candi S. Cross: 678-768-0694 or services@candicross.com

Filmmaker Lee Daniels to Appear at HRC Atlanta Gala Dinner May 14
Tickets for the 24^thGala Dinner and Auction on Sale Today!

ATLANTA—HRC Atlanta is thrilled to announce Lee Daniels, producer and director of the courageous films Shadowboxer, Monster’s Ball, and Precious,will appear at the 24^th Gala Dinner on May 14. Daniels, whowas the first African-American director to be nominated by the Directors Guild of America, will appear with Mo’Nique, who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in Precious. Mo’Nique will be presented with the Ally for Equality Award during the signature event.

Preciousreceived six nominations, including Best Picture, for the 82nd Academy Awards.The Hollywood Reporter called Precious “a disturbing masterwork of human survival,” and Variety dubbed it “courageous and uncompromising, a shaken cocktail of debasement and elation, despair and hope…helmer Daniels demonstrates a remarkable, balletic ability to juggle emotional extremes.” The film was distributed by Lionsgate with assistance from Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey, who said of the film, “I've never seen anything like it... It's so raw and powerful, it split me open.”

Daniels' background is filled with bold stories as real and gritty as the narratives from the films he creates. By the age of 21, Daniels had founded and was running his own health care agency, providing nurses to private homes and hospitals; he was simultaneously trying to be a screenwriter. After selling his health care business and giving up screenwriting, Daniels began managing actors such as Loretta Divine, Michael Shannon, Natasha Kinsky, and Aishwarya Rai. He turned to producing as a natural result of trying to find and create great material for his clients; the organic leap to directing came soon after. Daniels received the HRC National Visibility Award this past October at the HRC National Dinner in Washington, DC.

The 24^th Annual HRC Atlanta Gala Dinner and Auction will take place at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis on Saturday, May 14. For more information on the dinner and purchasing tickets, please visit: http://www.atlantahrcdinner.org. Tickets will sell quickly and will not be sold at the door. You are encouraged to buy today.

Note to reporters:Photo opportunities and brief interviews may be available on site for a limited time before the dinner program at the discretion of each speaker and dependent upon the event schedule. Please call HRC’s media contacts to secure media passes and special requests or for questions and story ideas.

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

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Video Contest Launch

HRC Atlanta Launches Video Contest to Salute “Our Stories” Theme
Selected Submissions Will be Featured in Gala Dinner Program
Media Contacts:

ATLANTA, March 9, 2011—Storytellers who identify as LGBT or allies are invited to share their experiences in amateur videos and submit them for a chance to win prizes and receive the spotlight at the 24^th Annual HRC Atlanta Gala Dinner and Auction.
Last year’s event themed Every Day attracted over 1,000 attendees and raised approximately $300,000 for the organization that has become one and the same with some of the formidable causes of our lifetime. As such, contest winners will receive maximum exposure for their heartfelt efforts.

All accepted videos will be posted to HRC Atlanta’s youtube.com and Facebook accounts. Videos may also be shown at pre-dinner receptions or during other HRC events related to the Gala Dinner. The most compelling (up to five) videos, as chosen by the Dinner Committee, will be shown throughout the dinner on May 14 at the Marriott Marquis Atlanta. Winners will receive two complimentary tickets ($400 value) to attend the dinner. Criteria for selection will include (a) creativity, (b) relevance to the dinner theme and cause, and (c) inclusion of the work and values of the Human Rights Campaign.
From professional videographers to those who can barely operate the video recorder in their cell phones, everyone is invited to participate.
Videos should generally address questions such as:

Why is this cause important to you? Why is the work of HRC important to you?
How do you envision the world based on your personal experiences?
How has your organization or company made the world a better place for our community?

Upon reading the contest rules at http://www.atlantahrcdinner.organd signing the release form, videos must be submitted through e-mail to hrcatlantadinner@gmail.comby April 20. If the video is over 10MB, contestants will be asked to use the free file transfer service, www.yousendit.com.

For more information on the dinner and purchasing tickets, please visit: http://www.atlantahrcdinner.org. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

Note to reporters:Photo opportunities and brief interviews may be available on site for a limited time before the dinner program. Please call HRC’s media contacts to secure media passes and special requests or for questions and story ideas.

Ed Patterson 404-213-3106
edvol@bellsouth.net

Candi S. Cross 678-768-0694
services@candicross.com

About Human Rights Campaign
Human Rights Campaign represents a grassroots force of more than more than 750,000 members and supporters nationwide. As the largest national gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, HRC envisions an America where LGBT people are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community. For more information about Human Rights Campaign please visit http://www.hrc.org.

Annual Dinner and Auction Theme Chosen for Global Appeal

Annual Dinner and Auction Theme Chosen for Global Appeal, Timelines
Elected Officials, Entertainers and Business Leaders Will Share Stories

Media Contacts:
Ed Patterson 404-213-3106
edvol@bellsouth.net
Candi S. Cross 678-768-0694
services@candicross.com

ATLANTA, February 2, 2011—Last year’s 23^rd Annual HRC Atlanta Gala Dinner and Auction themed Every Day attracted over 1,000 attendees and raised approximately $300,000 for the organization that has become one and the same with some of the formidable causes of our lifetime: the Repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, the impassioned push for marriage equality and an end to workplace discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation.

Last week at Aurum Lounge, HRC Atlanta officially launched the dinner theme for 2011: “Our Stories.” Designed to appeal to people in every city, town, village or rural community worldwide, the theme will be reinforced through a variety of rich media, signage, pre-dinner events, local and national publicity campaigns, and a video contest in which the best video clips will be chosen for the spotlight during the Gala Dinner on May 14, taking place at Atlanta Marriott Marquis. Storytellers who identify as LGBT or allies are invited to share their experiences.

Last year, in addition to the throng of inspirational speakers such as David Cicilline, U.S. Representative for Rhode Island’s 1^st Congressional District, and Bravo Executive Producer Andy Cohen, guests entered a shopper’s paradise of more than $200,000 in merchandise donated by dozens of individuals and businesses including Delta Air Lines, Orbitz, Tiffany’s, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, Wachovia, Urban Body Studios, Alliance Theatre, and Dr. Jerry Gardner D.D.S., among others.

For more information on the dinner and purchasing tickets, please visit: http://www.atlantahrcdinner.org. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

Note to reporters: Photo opportunities and brief interviews may be available on site for a limited time before the dinner program. Please call HRC’s media contacts to secure media passes and special requests or for questions and story ideas.

About Human Rights Campaign
Human Rights Campaign represents a grassroots force of more than more than 750,000 members and supporters nationwide. As the largest national gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, HRC envisions an America where LGBT people are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community. For more information about Human Rights Campaign please visit http://www.hrc.org.

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News & Updates

Announcing the Ally for Equality Award Winner: Matthew Morrison!

4-15-13 | This year HRC will honor Matthew Morrison with its Ally for Equality Award for his outspoken support of equality for the LGBT community.
Learn More >>

Get involved as a Table Captain

1-6-2013 | The backbone of the dinner attendance is our wonderful table captain volunteers, and it's EASY...
Learn about being a table captain...

Last Pre-Dinner Reception set for 4/18 at STK.

4-4-2013 | All are welcome to this free event! RSVP to the Facebook event.