WASHINGTON - Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, announced that U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Samantha Power and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) will keynote its annual Equality Convention this weekend. The gathering--which includes hundreds of volunteers from across the country, as well as HRC’s staff, steering committees, and its boards of directors--will have the opportunity to hear from Senator Booker on Friday, March 11, and Ambassador Power on Saturday, March 12, in Washington, D.C.

Ambassador Power and Senator Booker have both used their positions to passionately advocate for LGBT equality. In 2015, Ambassador Power’s leadership was instrumental in the UN General Assembly’s approval of extending staff benefits to all same-sex couples.  She and her Chilean counterpart also made history by convening the first-ever UN Security Council meeting on LGBT rights last August, which focused on the violence the Islamic State (ISIS) inflicts on LGBT peoples.

A longtime friend of HRC and champion of LGBT equality, Senator Booker received a perfect score on HRC’s Congressional Scorecard for the 113th Congress. As one of the original co-sponsors of the Equality Act -- landmark federal legislation that guarantees explicit, permanent protections for LGBT people from discrimination -- he continuously demonstrates his devotion to issues of equality and fairness. Senator Booker also appeared in HRC’s Americans for Marriage Equality video campaign in 2011, and gave a passionate speech to a crowd of over 3,000 at the HRC’s 16th Annual National Dinner in Washington, D.C. in 2013.  

Clinton Campaign Manager Robby Mook will also be speaking to attendees on what’s at stake for LGBT people this year. Hillary Clinton has presented a clear vision for a better future for LGBT people across the nation, and is the champion we can count on to win in November.

“Both Ambassador Power and Senator Booker exemplify what it means to be an ally and a public servant,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Ambassador Power’s dedication to LGBT equality, both at home and around the globe, has played a key role in the advancement of LGBT rights by the Obama Administration. As the former mayor of Newark, and now as a U.S. Senator for the great state of New Jersey, Senator Booker has used the power of his office to stand up for the equal dignity of LGBT people in New Jersey and across the country. Both Ambassador Power and Senator Booker are proven leaders for LGBT equality, and we are honored to have them join us for HRC’s annual Equality Convention.”

Griffin continued, “LGBT voters have so much at stake in November, and we are determined to do everything in our power to make sure Hillary Clinton can continue to build on the incredible progress we've made under President Obama. We’re excited to have Robby Mook share the latest from the campaign, and speak to our top leaders from across the nation about her pro-equality agenda for the White House."

At last year’s Equality Convention, Vice President Joe Biden delivered a rousing speech on the importance of federal non-discrimination protections for LGBT people. He also addressed other challenges facing the LGBT community, including the epidemic of violence against the transgender community, and LGBTQ youth homelessness.

Robby Mook and Senator Booker will address attendees at the Capital Hilton on Friday, March 11. Ambassador Power will speak on Saturday, March 12.

Hillary Clinton Campaign Manager Robby Mook Remarks (3/11)
Press Arrival: 11:30AM - 12:00PM
Remarks Start Time: 12:15PM EST

Senator Cory Booker Remarks (3/11):
Press Arrival: 12:45PM - 1:15PM
Remarks Start Time: 1:30 PM EST

Ambassador Samantha Power Remarks (3/12):
Press Arrival: 11:45AM  -12:15PM
Remarks Start Time: 12:30PM EST

Location:
Capital Hilton 
1001 16th St NW (Enter the hotel on the 16th St. entrance)
Washington, DC 20036

RSVP: All media planning to attend Robby Mook or Senator Booker’s Friday speeches MUST pre-register by 10:00AM on Friday, March 11th.  All media planning to attend Ambassador Power’s Saturday speech must pre-register by 6:00 PM on Friday, March 11th. Please provide the name, media outlet, phone, and email for each person planning to cover the event at Allison.Turner@hrc.org. Only members of the media who have been credentialed for these events will be allowed entrance.

The HRC Equality Convention is an annual event consisting of trainings, workshops, a lobby day, and other events for volunteers and leaders of the organization, as they work toward their vision - a world where LGBT people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. HRC envisions a world where LGBT people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

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