2026 HRC Austin Dinner Program Book

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SUSTAINING DINNER SPONSOR

AFTER PARTY

*Updated as of 01/29/26

GOLD
DIAMOND
WINE SPONSOR

List current a s of 01/29/26

*Updated as of 01/29/26

WELCOME LETTER

Welcome—and thank you for being here. We are so very happy you decided to attend tonight’s event.

Tonight, we gather at a moment when the word community carries real weight. Across the country, hard-won rights are being challenged, histories are being rewritten, and too many voices are being pushed to the margins. The political climate is loud, divisive, and exhausting by design. That is not an accident—and neither is this room.

Our theme this evening, Community Equals Power, is not a slogan. It’s a truth forged over decades by the LGBTQ+ community and our allies. When systems fail us, community sustains us. When fear is weaponized, community protects us. When progress is threatened, community organizes, funds, votes, and shows up—together.

The Human Rights Campaign exists because of collective action. Every advance we’ve made—every policy changed, every life protected, every young person reminded they belong—has happened because people refused to stand alone. In moments like this, coming together is not passive. It is an act of resistance.

By being here tonight, you are doing more than attending a gala. You are choosing solidarity over silence. You are investing in a future where dignity is non-negotiable and equality is not conditional. You are reminding one another—and the country—that our power does not come from permission. It comes from community.

We are deeply grateful for your presence, your generosity, and your belief that progress is still possible when we refuse to fracture. Tonight, we celebrate not just how far we’ve come, but how we will move forward—shoulder to shoulder, clear-eyed, and committed.

And of course, don’t forget, tonight is a PARTY. So, we invite you to let your hair down and really celebrate tonight. This dinner, your presence, your JOY is RESISTANCE.

Community equals power. And tonight, this room is powerful.

With gratitude and resolve,

KELLEY ROBINSON

HRC PRESIDENT

Kelley Robinson is the ninth president of the Human Rights Campaign — the first Black, Queer woman to lead the organization. The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality and liberation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. Robinson — widely respected for her work over the last 15 years creating and leading winning campaigns and programs — stepped into her new role at HRC after serving as Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Action Fund. From community organizer to progressive leader, Robinson has been at the forefront in the fight for bodily autonomy and racial and gender equity, with a focus on lifting up marginalized communities and building political power. Robinson will lead HRC — and its more than 3 million member advocates — as the organization fulfills its mission to realize a world that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

Lyft supports safer spaces, and all the humans who inhabit them.

That’s

DANA GOLDBERG

COMEDIAN / “OUT 100” HONOREE

As seen on ABC, TBS, and Last Comic Standing, Dana Goldberg is a force of nature on stage. With performances at the San Francisco International Comedy Competition, The Comedy Festival produced by TBS and HBO, and the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, her quick wit and playful stage presence have earned her loyal fans across the world.

In addition to headlining theaters and festivals, Dana has performed at and emceed hundreds of high-profile events, sharing the national stage with luminaries like President Barack Obama, President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Meryl Streep, Carol Burnett, Sir Elton John and countless others. Combining her gift of humor with humanitarian efforts, Dana has raised over $70M for nonprofits around the country in the fight for LGBTQ rights, women’s health, and HIV/AIDS education and prevention...just to name a few. With over 250,000 followers, Dana was recently named to OutMagazine’s Out100 List, Curve Magazine’s Power List and GO Magazine’s 100 Women We Love.

She is the co-host of the top-rated news podcast The Daily Beans (one million monthly downloads) and is currently developing her first TV pilot and one-woman show with Soto Productions (Tony Award winning Suffs The Musical and Laura Benanti’s Nobody Cares).

Learn more at danagoldberg.com and follow Dana on social media: @dgcomedy

SPECIAL GUEST

CONGRESSWOMAN JULIE JOHNSON

US REPRESENTATIVE - TEXAS

Congresswoman Julie Johnson comes to Washington from the Texas House of Representatives where she has served three terms since 2018. Johnson previously served on the state’s Insurance and Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence committees. She was named the 2019 ‘Freshman of the Year’; by Texas Monthly, ‘Champion of Medicine’ by the Texas Medical Association, and given the ‘Big Voices for Little Texans’ Award by Texas CASA.

During her time in the Texas legislature, she passed 108 bills with a focus on patient protection, and insurance reform. Johnson also authored the first bipartisan Medicaid expansion bill in Texas history. In March of 2024, Johnson won her 10-way primary election without a runoff to become the Democratic nominee for Texas Congressional District 32 and was elected to represent District 32 on November 5th, 2024, with over

That's why we've been proudly supporting the Human Rights Campaign since 2009.

macysinc.com/purpose

DENISE HERNÁNDEZ

Judge Denise Hernández is the Presiding Judge of County Court at Law #6, an adjunct professor at Huston-Tillotson University and St. Edward’s University, and the presiding judge of the Transformative Youth Justice Program, a community-centered diversion program that supports system-impacted youth.

Grounded in her lived experience and working-class roots, Judge Hernández is committed to building a justice system that truly belongs to the people. She approaches the bench with the belief that justice is created with community through trust, presence, and collective care. Judge Hernández’s service extends far beyond the courtroom. When marriage equality came under attack in 2025, she partnered with community organizers to create The Big Queer Wedding Party, a celebration providing queer couples across Texas with free wedding ceremonies and a safe space to celebrate their love. This work reflects her conviction that judges are not only interpreters of the law, but stewards of community care, courage, and constitutional values, especially in moments when justice and human dignity are being challenged. Her leadership has been recognized both locally and nationally. In 2024, Judge Hernández was honored as Austinite of the Year for her leadership and deep commitment to community.

VISIBILITY AWARD

KRISTEN KISH

CHEF & EMMY-NOMINATED HOST OF TOP CHEF

Kristen Kish is the chef/partner of Arlo Grey in Austin, TX, a two-time Emmynominated host of Bravo’s award-winning series Top Chef, a New York Times bestselling author for her memoir, Accidentally on Purpose , and the creator of Kish Aperitif.

A Korean adoptee raised in Michigan, Kristen discovered her passion for cooking at a young age. After working her way through various kitchens in Boston, she competed on season 10 of Top Chef, ultimately winning the coveted title. Following her win, she published her first cookbook and starred in several other hit shows including Fast Foodies on TruTV, Iron Chef on Netflix, and Restaurants at the End of the World on National Geographic/Disney+.

In 2023, Kristen became the host of Top Chef for its 21st season. Both she and the show received nominations for Primetime Emmy Awards in Outstanding Host and Best Reality Competition Series, respectively.

She continues to expand her television presence, joining The Traitors US Season 4 and returning to the Top Chef kitchen with the spring premiere of Top Chef: Carolinas .

Kristen has been recognized on many influential lists: TIME100’s Next, Adweek’s Creative 100, Marie Claire’s Power, and Variety’s 30 Most Powerful Women on Reality TV list.

Morgan Stanley is proud to support the Human Rights Campaign

At Morgan Stanley, diversity is an opportunity — for clients, employees and the firm. Our commitment to Diversity and Inclusion is fundamental to our role as a global leader striving for excellence in all that we do. By valuing diverse perspectives, we continue to expand our inclusive culture, focus on our people and deliver innovative solutions to the communities where we live and work.

LAS CHICAS EN 512

Las Chicas en 512 is Austin’s only all-female Selena tribute band, created to celebrate, preserve, and spread the legacy of the one-and-only Queen of Tejano music — Selena Quintanilla. Founded by the late Bentley Perez, alongside powerhouse lead vocalist Delia Rosado and fellow members of Femme Rock — a music collective uplifting womxn-identifying artists in Austin — this band is both a tribute and a full-on cultural celebration.

The name Las Chicas en 512 is inspired by Selena’s classic “El Chico del Apartamento 512,” and was the idea of bassist Charlie Smith — a little wink to the fans and a big love letter to Selena’s music and Austin (hello, 512 <3).

From cumbia bangers to pop-Tejano anthems, Las Chicas en 512 brings all your favorite Selena hits to life with corazón, respeto, and mucho sabor. Their shows are high-energy, dance-heavy, and crowd-loving — full of singing along, hands in the air, and people yelling “¡otra, otra!” by the end of the night.

More than a tribute band, Las Chicas en 512 proudly represents women in music, female empowerment, and Mexican-American cultura. They don’t just perform Selena — they honor her spirit as an icon of representation, joy, and resilience, and carry that energy into every single show.

If you love Selena, love to dance, and love a room full of happy people vibing together — Las Chicas en 512 is here to start the party.

¡Baila Esta Cumbia, Austin!.

The most impactful way to support H RC is through a monthly gift, because you will help fuel HRC’s fight for FULL equality all year long.

Your ongoing monthly support will provide critical resources to fight back against anti-LG BTQ+ bills, expand and protect our pro-equality Congress, invest more deeply in our grassroots efforts with strategic organizing in key districts, keep pressure to pass the Equality Act in Congress and continue to show up and fight for the multiply marginalized in our community and country.

Thank you for supporting H RC and for staying with us in the fight. Together, we are an unstoppable force for change!

pfizer.com/about/responsibility/human-rights

Target is dedicated to fostering inclusivity for everyone – our team members, guests, supply partners, and the more than 2,000 communities we’re proud to serve.

GIVE THE GIFT OF EQUALITY

This year, celebrate your loved ones, holidays or other special occasions by giving the gift of equality! Gift a membership to the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, host a fundraiser to benefit our work, sign up for our wedding registry or donate in someone’s memory! Each donation includes an HRC membership and furthers the fight for full LGBTQ+ equality.

GIVE A MEMBERSHIP GOAL HRC MEMBER

HOST A FUNDRAISER FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY, GRADUATION, PRIDE OR MO RE .. .

DONATE YOUR WEDDING REGISTRY

GIV E TH E GIF

FLY A FLAG

FOR HOLIDAYS & SPECIAL OCCASIO NS

DONATE IN HONOR OR ME MO RY O F SOMEONE

Celebrating a special occasion and looking to further LGBTQ+ equality? Join our over 3 million supporters today by giving the gift of membership, hosting a fundraiser, donating your wedding registry to HRC and more!

WHAT WE DO

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer equality. Since 1980, we have been fighting for a better future for LGBTQ+ Americans. We are now working tirelessly to pass the Equality Act, which will soon head to the U.S. Senate for consideration, fight back against a multitude of anti-LGBTQ+ legis-lation in states nationwide and ensure everyone in our community is treated with dignity and respect. While our opponents are emboldened and on the attack, the Human Rights Campaign and our grass-roots army of more than 3.2 million members and supporters are energetically defending the rights we’ve gained and ramping up our fight for full equality across the board.

ANTI-EQUALITY LEADERS AND LEGISLATION

The alarming spate of anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced across the country in 2020 has continued to surge in 2021. These include bills that would prohibit transgender youth from receiving genderaffirming care and bills that would prohibit transgender youth from participating in sports. This wave of anti-transgender legislation harkens back to the surge of anti-transgender bathroom bills that hit state legislatures in 2016, including North Carolina’s HB2. We remain committed to aggressively fighting these threats to equality by those who seek to undermine our rights. HRC will do whatever it takes to protect the rights and fundamental equality of every LGBTQ+ person in this country.

B U IL DING A ND DEM ONS TR AT ING POLITICAL P OWER

HRC’s decades-long work to build political power has uniquely positioned us to reach LGBTQ+ and ally voters who prioritize equality on the ballot, also known as Equality Voters. HRC has identified 57 million Equality Voters nationwide who, if they turn out to vote, will support pro-equality candidates. HRC’s early and sustained year-round engagement in battleground states like Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin bolstered historic turnout in 2018 and 2020 producing pro-equality outcomes at every level of government. In 2019, HRC’s mobilization of Equality Voters in Virginia, where lawmakers had repeatedly blocked proequality bills over many years, produced groundbreaking progress for LGBTQ+ Americans in the South. These victories led to the Virginia Values Act becoming law, making Virginia the first state in the South to advance statewide nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people.

ADVANCING EQUALITY IN OUR DAILY LIVES

The HRC Foundation improves the lives LGBTQ+ people by building understanding and shaping the public debate of LGBTQ+ people and the challenges they face through innovative research and public education campaigns. We also change the policies and practices in the institutions that shape our everyday lives (hospitals, schools, workplaces, and more) and empower strategic partners, community advocates, and allies through convenings and capacity-building. Guided by these theories of change and seeking to prioritize work impacting those who are multiply marginalized, we have 11 cuttingedge programs advancing equality in the U.S. and beyond.

All Children - All Families is the only national program dedicated to LGBTQ+ inclusion in child welfare (foster care and adoption agencies) that provides resource development, technical assistance and training.

Public Education & Research produces written resources and conducts original quantitative and qualitative research exploring the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ people.

Global Partnerships provides capacity-building and leadership development opportunities to LGBTQ+ advocates from around the world to strengthen movements and advance global LGBTQ+ equality.

HBCU Program is the only national project that partners with Historically Black Colleges and Universities on establishing an LGBTQ+-inclusive campus climate.

Health & Aging provides resources and training to help thousands of healthcare facilities adopt inclusive policies and practices to better serve LGBTQ+ patients and employees.

HIV & Health Equity develops public education and capacitybuilding programs to address the disproportionate impact of HIV on Black and Latinx communities.

Religion & Faith provides faith leaders with opportunities and tools to stand up for equality even as opponents attempt to weaponize faith against LGBTQ+ people.

Transgender Justice Initiative leads economic empowerment programs, capacity-building initiatives, community engagement efforts, and public safety education campaigns that combat the discrimination faced by transgender people.

Welcoming Schools is the only bias-based bullying prevention program in the nation to provide LGBTQ+-specific training and resources with an intersectional lens, developed for use in elementary schools.

Workplace Equality advances equality for LGBTQ+ workers through the adoption and implementation of inclusive policies, practices, and benefits in the U.S. and beyond.

Youth Well-Being provides professional development to over 5,000 youth-serving professionals annually, through the annual Time to THRIVE conference, webinars, participation at major national convenings, and by amplifying the stories of HRC Youth Ambassadors. The program also convenes HRC’s Parents for Transgender Equality Council.

Valuing every voice

To embrace inclusion, everyone in the room has a voice – a voice that can bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas.

At Shell in the USA, we are striving to be one of the most diverse and inclusive organizations in the world, putting the best minds to work on developing solutions to the energy challenges we all face.

We are moving forward with organizations that champion opportunity for the LGBT+ community because we are moving forward with everybody.

www.shell.us/forward

All. Together.

At Apple, we create a culture of collaboration where different experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives come together to make something magical and meaningful.

MAKE THE OUR Differences DIFFERENCE

As a born-and-bred Texas company, H-E-B is committed to fostering a culture of diversity & inclusion in Texas, both in our workplaces and the communities we serve. Celebrating the differences and similarities of all Texans is integral to everything H-E-B does, every day, from employee recruitment to supplier registration, store locations to in-store product selection.

PROUD SPONSOR OF THE

AUSTIN DINNER AFTER PARTY

Community.

At Avita, we believe healthcare is a human right. We're committed to breaking down barriers to care for the LGBTQ+ community and other marginalized groups through compassionate, inclusive and integrated pharmacy services.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

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