WOVEN TOGETHER
HRC Greater Cincinnati Dinner
February 21st, 2026
GREATER CINCINNATI WOVEN TOGETHER
TONIGHT’S PROGRAM
February 21, 2026
Hard Rock Cincinnati
5:00 PM
Welcome Reception & Silent Auction featuring: Music by: DJ Moodyy
6:30 PM Program & Dinner
Featuring Honorable Aftab Pureval Mayor of Cincinnati
United States Representative Greg Landsman
Kelley Robinson Human Rights Campaign President
Dana Goldberg
Comedian & Live Auctioneer
Recognition of Award Recipients
Hot Mess Sports, David C Crowley Leadership Award Equality Ohio, Equality Impact Award
Jo Ellen Pellman, HRC National Visibility Award
9:30 PM
After Party DJ Boywife
Dinner Menu
Salad:
Fig & Burrata Salad - Mustard Frill & Arugula & Sweet Little Gem Lettuces
Burrata Cheese, Crispy Serrano Ham, Figs & Fig Vinaigrette
Entree:
Roasted Airline Chicken, Wild Mushrooms, Crispy, Marble Potato Hash, Haricots Verts
Vegetarian:
Shiitake Mushroom Falafel, Sweet Potato Puree, Asparagus tips, Coconut Milk Red Curry
Sauce
Dessert: Chocolate Decadence
WOVEN TOGETHER
OUR DINNER CO-CHAIRS WELCOME FROM
Eric Anderson, Karen Harmon, Elijah Hyman and Daniel Taylor
Dearest friends, family, colleagues, volunteers, and supporters,
Welcome to the 16th annual Greater Cincinnati HRC Dinner! We are excited to gather as a community to celebrate equality and support HRC’s vital work. This year’s “Woven Together” theme reminds us that our individual lives, stories, and experiences are powerful, diverse, and beautiful. And when they are woven together with lives, stories, and experiences of everyone in our LGBTQ+ community, we are stronger together.
We’re in a challenging time for our community. We hope you will take stock this evening and reflect on the positives, celebrate LGBTQ+ people across the US, acknowledge our wins and losses, and bask in the support of our HRC family. We have much to celebrate, but also a lot of work to do. Breaking down barriers that divide us. Educating the public and the community about LGBTQ+ issues. Advocating for the rights of our queer and transgender youth. Protecting our right to healthcare and safeguarding our right to vote. Ensuring that all LGBTQ+ people – and particularly those of us who are trans/ non-binary/genderqueer and people of color –feel safe, supported, and seen.
We look forward to sharing an evening of storytelling and inspiration with you. Thank you to the Greater Cincinnati HRC Steering Committee, Board of Governors, and Dinner Committee Chairs and volunteers for helping make this wonderful evening possible. To our Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky LGBTQ+ and ally community partners, we welcome you with open arms. To our corporate sponsors, we couldn’t do any of our work without your support. To everyone who purchased a ticket, our Table Captains, volunteers, and all who chose to be with us tonight and all year long, we are truly grateful. Most of all, we thank you all for weaving your time, effort, support, and energy into making our community stronger every day.
Your participation tonight will further HRC’s mission and honor those who work tirelessly for the LGBTQ+ community. Our voice is more powerful together than apart!
Yours in equality,
Karen Harmon (she/her), Eric Anderson (he/him), Daniel Taylor (they/them), Elijah Hyman (he/him) 2026 Greater Cincinnati HRC Dinner Co-chairs
GREATER CINCINNATI WOVEN TOGETHER
WELCOME FROM U.S. REPRESENTATIVE
GREG LANDSMAN
Greg Landsman serves as the U.S. Representative for Ohio’s First Congressional District.
He is a proud father and husband who calls Cincinnati and Southwest Ohio home.
Greg is a former teacher and son of teachers. He spent most of his career working on behalf of children and families, especially those who have been left out and left behind.
Before joining Congress in 2023, Greg successfully led a ballot measure to make Cincinnati the first city in America to provide two years of quality preschool.
He also served five years on Cincinnati City Council, where he led efforts to strengthen core services – from public safety to paving roads. Greg also led comprehensive eviction prevention reforms and new investments in children and families: prenatal care, childcare, affordable housing, and youth jobs.
In his first term in Congress, Greg took on the Speaker of the House to force a vote on the Social Security Fairness Act. The bill finally passed after it had been sitting in Congress for 25 years. It returns $20 billion a year to public retirees – such as police officers, firefighters, teachers, and letter carriers.
Greg has secured tens of millions of dollars for Southwest Ohio projects and hosted over 30 town halls and community conversations.
He is a reformer, and one of only a few members of Congress who sold all their stocks because he believes members of Congress should not be trading stocks. Greg also suspended his pay during the government shutdown, and is a leading voice in banning dark money and getting big money out of politics.
He serves as co-chair of the bipartisan What Works Caucus, co-founder of the Lowering Costs Caucus, and holds a leadership role in the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, where he works across the aisle to deliver real results.
Greg earned his undergraduate degree from Ohio University and a master’s in theology from Harvard. He lives in Cincinnati with his wife, Sarah, and their two children, Maddie and Elijah.
2026 DINNER HONOREE
DAVID C. CROWLEY LEADERSHIP AWARD
Founded in 2012, HotMess Sports started with one simple idea, to bring people together through the joy of sports and community. What began as a small local effort has grown into something truly special. Cincinnati kicked off its first HotMess season in 2021 with just one sport and fewer than 100 people. In just a few years, the league has been growing at an incredible pace to include multiple sports and activities, reaching thousands of people.
HotMess Sports is more than just a league, it’s a community. Their purpose is to provide a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and fun environment for the LGBTQ+ community through sports and social events. Today, HotMess Cincinnati stands as a shining example of what can happen when people come together. What began as a single league has evolved into a vibrant network where teamwork, friendships, and authenticity thrive both on and off the field.
GREATER CINCINNATI WOVEN TOGETHER EQUALITY IMPACT AWARD
Equality Ohio
Founded in 2005 by human rights activists in response to Ohio’s marriage equality ban, Equality Ohio has spent two decades advancing dignity, safety, and visibility for LGBTQ+ Ohioans. The organization is dedicated to ensuring that every person in Ohio can live openly and authentically, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Through education, advocacy, civic engagement, and legal support, Equality Ohio works statewide to build power at both the local and state
levels. Equality Ohio has led and supported landmark efforts to expand equality, including launching coordinated non-discrimination initiatives, establishing early domestic partner registries, mobilizing businesses to support LGBTQ+ inclusion, and helping shift public opinion toward marriage equality through historic statewide campaigns. In 2019, Equality Ohio launched its pioneering Legal Clinic, providing free and low-cost legal services to LGBTQ+ individuals and families facing discrimination and legal barriers. Today, Equality Ohio
continues to drive innovative policy change and deliver accessible legal support, strengthening communities and advancing full lived and legal equality across Ohio. We believe an Ohio where justice, dignity and self-determination belong to everyone is possible when we mobilize together.
NATIONAL HRC SPEAKER
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 — steps 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.
WOVEN TOGETHER
GREATER CINCINNATI
DINNER TABLE CAPTAINS
Colin Altman and Treavor Bogard
Erin Arlinghaus
David Boyles and David Castillo
Ben Calihan
Chesley and Andrew Cencula
Rick Chizmadia and Richard Hobson
Mike Daniels
Ashley Fahey and Laura Harlen
Kelsey Ference and Caitlin Dunkely
Tom Funke
Hamilton County Democratic Party
Karen and Jon Harmon
Jake Hogue
Elijah Hyman and Connor Moreton
Justin Hucke
Ryan Jarrell
Elizabeth and Rick Kennedy
Rob Klaben
Kristine Kolzing
Manisha Kotian
US Representative Greg Landsman
Noah Lewis
Caitlin McBee
Mary McFarland
Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey
Karen and Kim Morgan
Daniel Neeley
Pavan Parikh and Shwetha Manoharan
Connie Pillich and Jill Schiller
Jim Reynolds and Jeff Findley
Chase Rickey and Eric Anderson
Daniel Taylor
Warren County Democratic Party
Jacob Zarbosky
GREATER CINCINNATI HRC EMERITUS LEADERSHIP ALUMNI
GALA CO-CHAIR
EMERITUS
(in order of service)
Ryan Messer
Chad Nielson
Cathy Sarky
Mark Wilson
Julia Wesselkamper
Scott Farmer
Karen Morgan
Aaron Weiner
Rick Chizmadia
Karen Harmon
Richard Cooke
Aftab Pureval
Eric Anderson
Pam Kravetz
Jordan Young
Joshua Kayes
Rod Hinton
Chase Rickey
Elizabeth Kennedy
Reggie Harris
GOVERNORS EMERITUS
Karen Aronoff Bader
Nicholas Ball
Frank Caliguri
Jeff Caywood
Rick Chizmadia
Jon Groppe
Troy Henson
Ron Hirth
Elizabeth Kennedy
Pam Kravetz
Michael Moore
Natalie MacDonald
Ryan Messer
Steve Newsome
Chase Rickey
Cathy Sarky
Kristin Shrimplin
Eddie Wagner
Aaron Weiner
Andrew Winters
WOVEN
YOUR 2026 HRC DINNER COMMITTEE
Dinner Co-Chairs
Eric Anderson
Karen Harmon
Elijah Hyman
Daniel Taylor
Corporate Sponsorship
Mary McFarland
Karen Morgan
Graphic Design
Ben Warner, Becca Birkhead,
Merrin Kelly, Jade Doellman, Andy Keene, Creative Director
Marketing
Maya Leaphart
GoDutch
Program Book
Rick Chizmadia
Silent Auction
Erin Arlinghaus
Ashley Fahey
Table Captains & Ticketing
Noah Lewis and Sol Kersey
Party/Vibe/Decor
Tom Funke and James Reynolds
Dinner Photographer
Kristy Rucker
Volunteers
Andi Adams
Rita Seth
Members At Large
Kristine Kolzing
Becca Karason
Clinton Knackstedt
Mike Daniels
Gabe Lawry
Ben Callihan
Colin Altman
GREATER CINCINNATI WOVEN TOGETHER
2026 GREATER CINCINNATI HRC STEERING COMMITTEE
Steering Committee Co-Chairs
Erin Arlinghaus
Ben Gustin
EnGAYgement
Erin Arlinghaus
Caitlin McBeeir
Leadership Giving
Karen Morgan
Colin Altman
RIck Chizmadia
Rick Ross
Chase Rickey
Larry Warren
Ashley Fahey
Dayton Area Committee Co-Chairs
Larry Warren
Mel Carroll
Political Action
Elijah Hyman Co-Chair
Sol KerseyCo-Chair
Marketing
Maya Leapart Chair
Dinner Co-Chairs
Karen Harmon
Eric Anderson
Daniel Taylor
Elijah Hyman
Workplace Equality
Mary McFarland Chair
Daniel Taylor
Beth Lewis
Ben Gustin
Petra Bergman
Jennifer Boudrye
Ashley Fahey
Ryan Baumgartner
Karen Morgan
Board of Directors
Karen Morgan
Board of Governors
Colin Altman
Karen Harmon
Daniel Taylor
Elijah Hyman
Caitlin McBee
Volunteer Engagement Chair
Andi Adams
Members At Large
Becca Karason
Clinton Knackstedt
Jennifer Boudrye
Mason Fitzpatrick
Mike Daniels
Noah Lewis
Petra Bergman
Rita Seth
Kristine Kolzing
2026 GREATER CINCINNATI
HRC OUTREACH PARTNERS
Not Your Average Paint and Sip
Loveland Takes Action - Red, Wine, and Blue
Artworks
Queen City Queer History
Funke Presents
Midwestern Lesbian
Trans Ohio
Trans Masc Cincy
Caracole
Have a Gay Day
Greater Dayton LGBT Center
Cincinnati Black Pride
Cincinnati Pride
Cincinnati Men’s Chorus
Trans Avocacy Council
Lebanon Pride
Queen City Charities
GREATER CINCINNATI HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN PAST HONOREES
2008
Scott Knox, HRC Leadership Award
2009
Karen Aronoff, HRC Leadership Award
Jeff Caywood, HRC Leadership Award
2010
Ethicon Endo-Surgery, A Johnson and Johnson Company, Corporate Equality Award
Macy’s Inc. Corporate Equality Award
2011
P & G Corporate Equality Award
Joseph Rigotti, David C. Crowley Leadership Award
2012
Lexis Nexis, Corporate Equality Award
Brown-Forman, Corporate Equality Award
Caracole, David C. Crowley Leadership Award
2013
Thompson Hine, Corporate Equality Award
M. Freeman Durham, David C. Crowley Leadership Award
GE Avaiation’s GLBTA Alliance, LGBT Affinity Group of the Year Award
2014
Humana, Corporate Equality Award
Cincinnati Public Schools, David C. Crowley Leadership Award
P & G Gable, LGBT Affinity Group of the Year Award
Paula Ison, Community Leadership Award
2015
Frost, Brown Todd, Corporate Equality Award
Kroger, LGBT Affinity Group of the Year Award
Chris Seelbach, David C. Crowley Leadership Award
2016
General Electric, Corporate Equality Award
Fifth Third Bank, Corporate Equality Award
Lighthouse Youth Services, David C. Crowley Leadership Award
2017
Convergys, Corporate Equality Award
Gerhardstein & Branch CO. LPA, David C Crowley Leadership Award.
2018
Children’s Hospital Transgender Clinic, Corporate Equality Award
Scott E. Knox, David C. Crowley Leadership Award
Hal Sparks, HRC Ally for Equality Award
2019
U.S. Bank Spectrum, LGBTQ Affinity Award
Michael Chanak, David C. Crowley Leadership Award
Nathan Lee, HRC Ally for Equality Award
2020
Kroger, LGBTQ Affinity Award
Cheryl Eagleston, David C. Crowley Leadership Award
Aneesh Sheth, HRC Visibility Award
2022
Michael Cotrell, David C. Crowley Leadership Award
2023
Reginald Harris, David C. Crowley Leadership Award
ER Fightmaster, HRC Visibilty Award
2024
Jelani Alladin, HRC Visibility Award
Charmaine McGuffey, David C. Crowley Leadership Award
2025
Ron Clemens, HRC Visibility Award
Ohio Lesbian Archives, David C. Crowley Leadership Award
GREATER CINCINNATI WOVEN TOGETHER
COMEDIAN / “OUT100” HONOREE
DANA GOLDBERG
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 non-profits 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 150,000 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 (250,000 weekly downloads) and is currently developing her first TV pilot with Soto Productions (Tony Award winning Suffs The Musical and Laura Benanti’s Nobody Cares).
H R C N ATIONA L
VISIBILI T Y AWAR D
GREATER CINCINNATI WOVEN TOGETHER
FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT
RECEPTION DJ
DJ Moodyy is a sound alchemist whose music sits confidently at the crossroads of Afro Beats, House, and Pop. Her sets are defined by fluid transitions and bold blends that feel effortless, yet deeply intentional.
Drawing from Afro inspired percussion and a natural ear for uplifting melodies, Moodyy builds soundscapes that are warm, vibrant, and impossible to stand still to.
Pulsing House grooves meet rich Afrobeats rhythms and infectious Pop hooks, creating a signature style that feels both grounded in culture and alive in the moment.
More than just mixing tracks, Moodyy curates energy. She reads the room with instinct and precision, shaping musical journeys that celebrate movement, connection, and pure joy. Moodyy delivers a sound that’s fresh, global, and unforgettable.
DANCE PARTY DJ
What can be said about DJ Boywife that hasn’t already been smeared on bathroom stalls across the city?
A queer nightlife original, Boywife has made a name for himself around Cincinnati as a fresh take on the scene. Beginning his dj career only a short few years ago, he has already been recognized as the best in the city two years running by City Beat and Cincinnati magazines respectively. Now all thats left is to come see him for yourself!
DANCE PARTY SPONSOR:
WACKY GAMES
DJ Moodyy
DJ Boywife
PROCTER &
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
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! GIV E TH E GIF
Transgender and non-binary people are your neighbors, co-workers, family members and friends. And when you or your friends and family are the targets of hate, violence and discrimination, you act.
The Human Rights Campaign is actively working to advocate for the rights and lives of the transgender and non-binary community–but we all must do more–can we count you in?
As LGBTQ+ people and allies, we have a responsibility to fight for EVERYONE in our movement. Now is the time to get loud, get visible, and spread awareness on behalf of transgender and non-binary people. So please take the actions below–but don’t stop there.
The more people who show they care, including allies and trans and non-binary people who speak up for the most marginalized in our community, the more hearts and minds we will change.
Sign the Pledge and Impact Change
The first step in voicing your support for the trans and non-binary community is to sign your name to the Count Me In pledge. By taking this action, you’re sending a message that you vow to go out of your way to raise awareness and uplift the lives of our trans and non-binary friends and family.
Provide Inclusive Books to an At-Need Library
Your contribution will provide a set of three books to a Title 1 school or community library serving multiply marginalized populations across the country.
Contact State Legislators
State legislatures are attacking LGBTQ+ folks, particularly trans people, left and right. Show antiequality legislators that we won’t tolerate any more bullying and discrimination.
Request and Show Off Your Sticker
Display your special edition HRC sticker on your car, laptop, water bottle — no matter where you put it, you’ll be saying you support our trans community.
Spread the Word On Social Media
Post these image shares on your social media channels and update your profile photos and let your networks know you believe in a more just and equitable world for trans folks — full stop.
Share a Voice Message of Support
State legislatures are targeting trans kids. Text HEART to 472-472 to share a public message of support for trans youth and show you’re fighting for them.
(Msg&dataratesmayapply. Recurring msgs. TxtSTOP2quit. HELP4info.)
Let Kids Play
Rebekah is a 14-year-old girl who loves school, reading, hanging out with her friends and playing field hockey. But lawmakers across the country are trying to pass laws that would prohibit Rebekah from playing sports with other girls.
Wear Your Support
From T-shirts to pins to socks to masks, you can show off your support for trans equality no matter where you are, who you’re with or what you’re doing.
Transgender Justice eNewsletter
Stay up to date on our Transgender Justice Initiative and what we’re doing to dismantle stigma and end the epidemic of violence against trans and gender non-conforming people.
Count Me In
Speak Out
Request A Sticker
Donate Now
Meet Rebekah
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!
Course is FREE
Participants are paid $500 stipend ($50/week)
For LGBTQ+ Black & Brown and trans & non-binary young adults ages 18-30
Meets weekly for 10 weeks via ZOOM
Includes resume writing and job application support
Covers computer skills and digital literacy
Helps you SET GOALS and go to the Next Level
GOLD LOCAL CORPORATE SPONSORS
KROGER
SILVER LOCAL
CORPORATE SPONSORS
DINSMORE & SHOHL LLP
FIFTH THIRD BANK
FBT GIBBONS
iHEART MEDIA
BRONZE LOCAL
SPONSORS
Campaign.
The Cencula Group
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
Andrew J. Cencula
Senior Financial Advisor
5905 E. Galbraith Street, Suite 7000 Cincinnati, OH 45236
513.985.5865
https://advisor.ml.com/sites/oh/cincinnati-oh/the-cencula-group
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (MLPF&S) is a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, and Member SIPC. MLPF&S is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation.
© 2025 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.
MAPLE KNOLL QUEER ALLYSHIP
HYDE PARK FINE MEATS
BEECH ACRES LUCIUS Q
AFTER PARTY SPONSOR
WACKY GAMES
ARTISTIC DESIGN SPONSOR
GoDUTCH
Communit y. Equalit y. Support.
At Lucius Q, we belie ve strong neighborhoods are built on respect, inclusion, and standing up for one another . That 's why we proudly support the Human Rights Campaign and its mission to advance equalit y for all . — Lucius Q
NATIONAL CORPORATE PARTNERS
That's why we've been proudly supporting the Human Rights Campaign since 2009.
macysinc.com/purpose
Smirnoff
NATIONAL CORPORATE PARTNERS
LOCAL CORPORATE SPONSORS
