2019 Highlights:

Previous Dinner Information:

2019 National Dinner

Date: September 28, 2019
Co-Chairs: Sherie Hughes & Hudson Young
Theme: We Are HRC
Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Featured Speakers: Sen. Chuck Schumer, Jake Choi, Ryan Russell & Eric Fanning
HRC Speaker: Alphonso David
Entertainment: Thelma Houston, Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC & Heritage Signature Chorale with Alice Smith
National Visibility Award: Introduction by Ana Oriz, Recipient Ricky Martin
National Equality Award: Introduction by Dyllón Burnside, Recipient Dominique Jackson
Watch Videos: 2019 Speeches

2018 National Dinner

Date: September 15, 2018
Co-Chairs: Rachael Gresson & Sherie Hughes
Theme: Turn OUT
Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Featured Speakers: Joe Biden, Eric Holder, Adam Rippon, Danica Roem & Nelson Araujo
HRC Speaker: Chad Griffin
Entertainment: Shea Diamond
National Equality Award: Introduction by Awkwafina, Recipient Anne Hathaway
Watch Videos: 2018 Speeches

2017 National Dinner

Date: October 28, 2017
Co-Chairs: Rachael Gresson & Bruce Rohr
Theme: RISE
Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Featured Speakers: Hillary Rodham Clinton, Sen. Kamala Harris, Khizr Khan & Billie Jean King
HRC Speaker: Chad Griffin
Entertainment: DNCE
National Equality Award: Introduction by Jennifer Cast, Recipient Jeff Bezos
Ally for Equality Award: Introduction by Taylor Schilling, Recipient Uzo Aduba
Watch Videos: 2017 Speeches

2016 National Dinner

Date: September 10, 2016
Co-Chairs: June Crenshaw & Bruce Rohr
Theme: Equality Forward
Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Keynote Address: Senator Tim Kaine
Featured Speakers: Rep. John Lewis, Christine Leinonen & Nyle DiMarco
HRC Speaker: Chad Griffin
Entertainment: Billy Porter & Estelle
Watch Videos: 2016 Speeches

2015 National Dinner

Date: October 3, 2015
Co-Chairs: Lynn Fussell & Hudson Young
Theme: Stronger Together
Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Keynote Address: Vice President Joe Biden
Featured Speakers: Jim Obergefell, Blossom Brown, Debi Jackson & Jason Collins
HRC Speaker: Chad Griffin
Entertainment: Carly Rae Jepsen, A Great Big World & Futuristic
National Visibility Award: Tim Cook
National Vanguard Award: Introduction by Allison Janney, Recipient Ellen Page
Watch Videos: 2015 Speeches

2014 National Dinner

Date: October 25, 2014
Co-Chairs: June Crenshaw & Jason Laney
Theme: Evolve
Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Keynote Address: President Bill Clinton
Featured Speakers: Eric Holder, Yeardley Smith, Geena Rocero & Blossom Dupree
HRC Speaker: Chad Griffin
Entertainment: Jennifer Hudson
National Equality Award: Introduction by Andrew Young, Recipients David Furnish and Sir Elton John
Watch Videos: 2014 Speeches

2013 National Dinner

Date: October 5, 2013
Co-Chairs: June Crenshaw & Jason Laney
Theme: Engage: Join the Momentum
Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Featured Speakers: President Barack Obama (on behalf of Vice President Joe Biden)
HRC Speaker: Chad Griffin
Entertainment: Sara Bareilles
HRC Ally for Equality Award: Introductions by Teri Polo, Sherri Saum and Gloria Steinem, Recipient Jennifer Lopez
National Equality Award: Introduction by Julian Bond, Recipients Roberta Kaplan, Kris Perry & Sandy Stier, Paul Katami & Jeff Zarrillo, David Boies and Ted Olson
Watch Videos: 2013 Speeches

2012 National Dinner

Date: October 6, 2012
Co-Chairs: Alex Ernst & Ashley Smith
Theme: Make Equality Count
Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Keynote Address: Mayor Cory Booker
Featured Speakers: Dustin Lance Black
HRC Speaker: Chad Griffin
Entertainment: Cirque Du Soleil
HRC Ally for Equality Award: Sally Field
National Equality Award: NAACP and its president, Ben Jealous
Watch Videos: 2012 Speeches

2011 National Dinner

Date: October 1, 2011
Co-Chairs: Alex Ernst & Ashley Smith
Theme: Be Part of Equality
Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Keynote Address: President Barack Obama
Featured Speakers: Representative Tammy Baldwin, Betty DeGeneres
HRC Speaker: Joe Solmonese
Entertainment: Cyndi Lauper, Greyson Chance
HRC Ally for Equality Award: Introduction by Sarah Jessica Parker, Recipient Michael Bloomberg
Entertainment: MIKA

2010 National Dinner

Date: October 9, 2010
Co-Chairs: Marjorie Chorlins and Kirkland Hamill
Theme: No Excuses
Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Keynote Address: Valerie Jarrett
HRC Speaker: Joe Solmonese
Special Guest: Ricky Martin
HRC Visibility Award: Introduction by Mo’nique, Recipient Lee Daniels
HRC Ally for Equality Award: Introduction by Bette Midler, Recipient P!NK
HRC National Arts & Culture Award: Eric Stonestreet, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Sophia Vergara from the cast of Modern Family

2009 National Dinner

Date: October 10, 2009
Co-Chairs: Anna Prow and Tucker Gallagher
Theme: Speak the Truth
Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center
HRC Speaker: Joe Solmonese
Keynote Address: President Barack Obama
Edward M. Kennedy National Leadership Award: Tribute video to Dennis & Judy Shepard; Tribute video for Sen. Edward M. Kennedy; Introduction by Rep. Patrick Kennedy; Dennis & Judy Shepard received the award
Performance by Gavin Creel, two-time TONY Nominee, star in the Broadway revival of Hair
Special appearances by Lady Gaga, GLEE cast members Chris Colfer, Jane Lynch, Lea Michelle, Cory Monteith and Amber Riley