One of the privileges of HRC membership is receiving our quarterly magazine, Equality, the largest-circulation LGBTQ+ magazine in the country. It’s our way of sharing the incredible work that your membership makes possible. My hope is that inside these pages, you will find not only the impact of your support but also a sense of connection and affirmation.

As we approach the year-end and the holiday season, I can’t help but reflect on the challenges and triumphs that have shaped our journey over the past year. It’s been a whirlwind 12 months, crisscrossing the nation and meeting countless HRC members, staff and supporters. In our diversity of faces, stories, dreams and concerns, I’ve discovered a shared desire for safety, the freedom to live authentically, and the most basic need of dignity. During my travels, I’ve seen the threads of hope woven into the fabric of our community, even in the face of adversity.

Over the past year, we’ve navigated the challenges and triumphs with resilience. As the 2024 presidential election cycle kicks into high gear, we saw homophobia and transphobia take center stage in extremist candidates’ rhetoric. As MAGA politicians punched down, we punched back and made clear that our fight is for liberation without exception. Period. In the face of daily attacks, we came together to leverage our people power in the work to elect LGBTQ+ leaders who will legislate on our behalf.

We endorsed Fabian Nelson, a historic candidate who could become Mississippi's first openly LGBTQ+ legislator, giving voice to underrepresented communities. We celebrated the vibrance of ballroom culture and the strength of the Black and Brown queer community, alongside the Renaissance tour with Beyoncé, which gave us life. I also had the distinct honor of speaking at the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington, championing the legacy of Bayard Rustin and the fight for trans lives.

Internationally, our call for a State of Emergency garnered attention, prompting the Canadian government to update its U.S. travel policy to protect LGBTQ+ Canadians. In Delaware, state Sen. Sarah McBride inspired us all, pushing ahead in the polls and poised to become the first openly transgender member of Congress.

This fall, we mourned the loss of an LGBTQ+ rights champion in the United States Senate, Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Her legacy paved the way for a new generation of women in leadership, like Sen. Laphonza Butler, the first openly Black lesbian in the United States Senate.

We carried the highs and lows of the fall into our National Dinner, but we also encountered yet another crisis with violence and the senseless war in the Middle East. While I can't fully comprehend the experiences of those who are Jewish, Israeli, Muslim or Palestinian during this challenging time, as a Black woman, I do understand the pain of being part of a community that is repeatedly targeted.

Let me be unequivocal: Antisemitism is wrong. Islamophobia is wrong. We can and must hold both truths. I also recognize that the hate fueling antisemitism and Islamophobia is the same hate that fuels violence against LGBTQ+ people. It is also the same hate that fuels the epidemic of gun violence in America. This violence serves as a stark reminder of the work we have ahead — a global struggle for liberation against extremism, discrimination and hatred that unites us all.

As we close out this year and embrace the holiday season, let’s remember that we are powerful. Together, we can disrupt the systems that are failing us and design new ones that embrace and protect us. Now more than ever, I’m clear that we’re fighting for a future where everyone belongs.
Thank you for your unwavering dedication to HRC and our mission. As we gather with loved ones during this special time of year, let’s carry with us the spirit of unity, hope and a shared vision for a more inclusive world.

With gratitude,