Up Front – Equality Magazine Spring 2024

Each and every day at the Human Rights Campaign, we are inspired by our president, Kelley Robinson, and her trailblazing advocacy and leadership in the fight for LGBTQ+ equality. The world is taking notice in a big way — TIME has named Robinson to its prestigious 2024 TIME100 list of the world's most influential people.

Under Robinson's strategic vision and guidance, HRC has taken its advocacy to bold new heights, including last year’s declaration of a national State of Emergency in response to the unprecedented wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation spreading across the country. Her experience building political power is helping elect dozens of pro-equality candidates up and down the ballot in critical elections. And under her presidency, we’ve secured landmark legislative and administrative victories, including the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act and securing protections under Title IX and the Affordable Care Act.

Robinson also brings an unwavering commitment to advancing racial and gender justice. She understands that true equality cannot be achieved without centering the voices of those who have been locked out of opportunity and left behind. This intersectional vision has strengthened both our organization and the broader movement.

“We are seeing unprecedented attacks on the LGBTQ+ community across the country and the stakes couldn’t be higher,” said Karine Jean-Pierre, White House press secretary. “Kelley’s approach has breathed new life into the Human Rights Campaign and our broader LGBTQ+ community, mobilizing and inspiring people to turn their pain and grief into action. And in doing so, Kelley serves as a mentor and infl uential force upon a new generation of grassroots activists and leaders.”

It is fitting to see Robinson’s influential work recognized on a list that celebrates innovation and achievement. Robinson is the kind of leader who doesn’t just make progress — but keeps on pushing and
pushing for more.

Learn more about Robinson’s honor at hrc.im/time100.

Renaissance Lessons

Beyonce’s Grammy Award-winning “Renaissance” is more than an acclaimed dance album — it’s a historic, cultural moment, particularly for Black queer communities. To honor Queen Bey, HRC Foundation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities program debuted “Renaissance: A Queer Syllabus,” a collection of articles, essays and fi lms based on each track from the album and rooted in Black queer and feminist studies. The syllabus will be shared with nearly 30 HBCUs across the country, serving as an educational resource designed to celebrate, analyze and honor the legacy, power, joy and resistance of the Black queer community.

Check out the syllabus at hrc.im/renaissance.

Fighting Words from the First Lady

In March, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden reminded audiences at HRC’s 2024 Los Angeles Dinner of the collective strength and resilience of our LGBTQ+ community.

“We overcome heartbreaks we never could have imagined,” Dr. Biden said. “While we’ve changed so much and made so much progress, there’s still so much more to do. And we can’t and we won’t go back and refight the fights of the past.”

Dr. Biden assured the crowd that we will not back down.

“We will win, today, tomorrow and all of the days after,” said Dr. Biden. “Until all of the people in all of the places can live freely, surrounded by love.”

Watch her full speech at hrc.im/drbiden.

Driving Change in LGBTQ+ Healthcare

Health care is a human right, but finding adequate care to meet the unique needs of LGBTQ+ folks can be challenging. This is particularly true during these difficult times when our trusted elected officials prioritize creating health care barriers for LGBTQ+ people, especially transgender and non-binary folks, instead of expanding access to care. Our 2024 Healthcare Equality Index, a tool designed to help the LGBTQ+ community fi nd the care we deserve, is the nation’s leading survey evaluating over 1,000 health care facilities’ practices for the inclusion and equality of LGBTQ+ patients. More than 380 facilities achieved the score of 100 and earned the coveted "LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader" designation. This year, the HEI includes updated search features, making it easier than ever for folks to find the care they need.

Read more about the report, and access the tools it offers, at hrc.org/hei.

Trans Changemakers to Know

HRC partners with trans activists across the country to help increase trans visibility while combating hate and discrimination against the community. During this year’s annual observance of Transgender Day of Visibility, we recognized the incredible work of some of our Trans Changemaker partners. From TAYLOR ALXNDR leading Georgia’s charge as co-founder and executive director of Southern Fried Queer Pride while balancing being the mother of the House of ALXNDR drag house, to Olivia Hill making history as the first openly trans person elected to Metro Nashville Council in Tennessee, these amazing individuals are making the world better, one day at a time.

Get to know these changemakers and their work at hrc.im/tdovactivists.

The Young Equalizers

The Young Equalizers is a photo essay campaign which powerfully depicts the everyday lives of young LGBTQ+ people, their families and their allies. The photo essay combats the anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric spewed by right-wing and MAGA extremists and provides an intimate insight to the family, home and social dynamics of these young individuals. Prolific photographer Armando Gallardo and HRC’s Digital Content Specialist Jose Soto spent two weeks traveling to Florida, Ohio, Georgia and Texas — battleground election states, all of which have recently enacted anti-LGBTQ+ legislation — to meet with each of the young folks featured in the photo essay and connect on a one-on-one level.

View the photo essay at hrc.im/TheYoungEqualizers.