On March 12, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) hosted its Los Angeles dinner.
The event featured speeches from HRC Interim President Joni Madison, who updated the audience on HRC's recent conversations with Disney; and trailblazer Brian Michael Smith, the first out Black trans man in a series regular role on network television.
Soccer icon and LGBTQ+ rights activist Abby Wambach and her wife, author Glennon Doyle, presented six-time Grammy winner Brandi Carlile with HRC's Visibility Award, an honor for LGBTQ+ individuals who are living open and honest lives at home, at work and in their greater community.
The evening featured remarks from U.S. Congresswoman Sharice Davids (D-Kansas) as well as performances by Shea Diamond, VINCINT and comedian Dana Goldberg.
In part, Madison said, "You may have seen news earlier this week that HRC is not going to take any funding from Disney until we see them take real action to defeat hateful legislation in Florida. You may have also seen that—36 hours later—Disney CEO Bob Chapek apologized to his employees and committed to suspending all political giving in Florida.
"I was glad to speak to Bob yesterday afternoon, and we had a very productive conversation about the need for Disney to put real muscle into stopping what's happening to their employees and to their fans. We need Disney's partnership in getting the bills heading to Desantis's desk vetoed. And if that doesn't happen, to get these bills repealed. But this is not just about Bob Chapek and Disney. This is about every CEO and company in America
"It's gut-check time for every CEO and company in America. The tech companies and entertainment companies here who have an influential presence across the country and around the world have an important role to play in fighting state-sanctioned discrimination wherever it exists.
"We need more than inclusive employment policies and a clever Pride campaign.
"We need CEOs to be taking actions that meet the moment we're in."
In accepting her award, Carlile said, in part, "The worst part is that political predators addicted to power are carrying out their long-standing tradition of targeting children (especially trans kids) as they relate to the LGBTQIA + narrative.
"This hurts all families, queer and cis heteronormative, because these misguided leaders chip away at our natural ability to understand one another.
"They weaponize sexuality and sequester us off into categories of deviance making us inherently 'age-inappropriate' when many of us have children ourselves. This isn't light reading.
"And yet… we celebrate…We honor one another in this way because we come from a long line of people who know how to find joy right smack in the middle of a fight… and that's where we are."
