Citing a need to counter a wave of possible anti-LGBT developments in the wake of the presidential election of Donald Trump, the Human Rights Campaign ( HRC ) sought to add some money to its more-than-$16-million budget at its Chicago fundraiser held at the Hyatt Regency on Nov. 13.
Following a cocktail reception, speakers from the organization's Chicago chapter and national offices offered condemnations of Trump and Vice-President-elect Mike Pence.
However, Trump's win ( and Clinton's simultaneous loss ) was not the only result acknowledged. Another involved newly elected U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth ( D-Ill. ), who was noted for defeating Republican incumbent Mark Kirk, whom the HRC endorsed until he made a racist statement during a pre-election debate.
HRC Senior Vice President Programs Research & Training Mary Beth Maxwell discussed her organization's "get out the vote" efforts both for the Clinton campaign and in North Carolina while adding that the HB2 bathroom bill was designed not entirely to target transgender people, but to "strip all of us of our rights."
She then went on to ask for money "in order to fight back and protect our families, jobs, safety [and] our right to serve in the military."
Transparent star Amy Landecker was given the HRC's Ally for Equality Award, trans celebrity Angelica Ross was presented with the Visibility Award and MillerCoors was acknowledged with the Corporate Equality Award, while out country singer Ty Herndon entertained the crowd.