Today, the Human Rights Campaign announced that President Barack Obama will keynote our 13th Annual National Dinner on Saturday, October 10th in Washington, D.C.
Additionally, U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy will present the first-ever Edward M. Kennedy National Leadership Award to Judy and Dennis Shepard. The award is named in honor of the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy, a champion in the fight for LGBT equality, and will be presented to the Shepards who have worked tirelessly to honor the memory of their son Matthew who was killed in an anti-gay hate crime in 1998.
Said HRC President Joe Solmonese:
“We are honored to share this night with President Obama, who has called upon our nation to embrace LGBT people as brothers and sisters,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “It is fitting that he will speak to our community on the night that we pay tribute to his friend and mentor Senator Edward Kennedy, who knew that as president, Barack Obama would take on the unfinished business of this nation — equal rights for the LGBT community, and for every person who believes in liberty and justice for all.”
Also appearing at the sold-out dinner this weekend will be: Lady Gaga, the international singer-songwriter sensation; the cast from the new hit comedy, Glee; and two-time Tony Award nominee Gavin Creel, who is currently starring on Broadway in the role of Claude in the Tony Award winning production of Hair.
The Human Rights Campaign's perspective on the news, issues and events affecting the every day lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people across the country.