Human Rights Campaign Announces Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Congresswoman Sarah McBride as its 2025 National Dinner Keynote Speakers

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) – the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization – announced Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Congresswoman Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress in American history, as its 2025 National Dinner keynote speakers. These pro-equality champions will address the crowd on the fight for LGBTQ+ equality in their states and beyond. HRC President Kelley Robinson will also deliver remarks at the event, speaking to the power and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community and our fundamental role in the American Dream. The night will feature powerful performances from LGBTQ+ advocates and singer/songwriters David Archuleta and VINCINT. Comedian Dana Goldberg will also be hosting a live auction. Afterparty entertainment will be provided by DJ Brian Henry. In addition, HRC previously announced that artist and advocate Amy Sherald will receive HRC’s Ally for Equality Award at the dinner. 

The 2025 HRC National dinner will be a night of celebration and community building, taking place on September 13th at the Washington Hilton. 

“Governor Moore and Congresswoman McBride are two powerhouses who are driving progress forward both in their states and on the national stage. Their steadfast leadership and unwavering commitment to equality give us all hope and strength,  and I’m so pleased to welcome them at this year’s national dinner,” said HRC President Kelley Robinson. “As LGBTQ+ people are facing attacks at both a state and national level, it is more important than ever that we have pro-equality public servants on our side who are dedicated to actualizing a vision of America that truly reflects the diversity of our country. We are an undeniable part of the American dream, and we will continue this work together to ensure that our dreams are made a reality.”

“Every LGBTQ+ person in our country deserves to have the rights, opportunities, and freedoms they need to thrive, regardless of which state they call home. In Maryland, we believe that a welcoming state is a stronger state, which is why we’ve committed to expanding crucial rights and protections for the LGBTQ+ community and celebrating the diversity that makes our state so great,” said Maryland Governor Wes Moore. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to stand in allyship with HRC, alongside changemakers and advocates across the DMV, in a shared commitment to advancing LGBTQ+ equality.” 

Wes Moore is the 63rd Governor of Maryland. He is the first Black governor in the state’s 246-year history and just the third African American elected governor in the history of the United States. Moore’s life and career have been defined by service. Before entering elected office, he was the CEO of the Robin Hood Foundation, built and ran a small business that helped underserved students navigate college, and led soldiers in combat in Afghanistan as a Captain in the U.S. Army. ​​In 2010, Moore wrote “The Other Wes Moore,” a story about the fragile nature of opportunity in America, which became a New York Times bestseller. 

Over the past two years, Governor Moore took executive action and signed legislation to protect and expand gender-affirming care and procedures. The administration doubled funding for hate crime protection, made it harder to ban LGBTQIA+ books in schools, and expanded contraceptive access and broader family planning services across the state. And this year, Governor Moore signed the Carlton R. Smith Act to repeal Maryland’s outdated HIV criminalization law, making Maryland only the fifth state in the nation to take this critical step to advance public health and justice for LGBTQIA+ communities.

​​Moore is a graduate of Valley Forge Military Academy and College, Johns Hopkins University, and Wolfson College, Oxford, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar. Moore and his wife Dawn have two children: Mia and James.

“When I think about the American dream, I envision a world where our differences are celebrated, not disparaged. I imagine a country where the things that make us unique can bring us together and lead to more understanding, empathy, and equality for all,” said Congresswoman Sarah McBride. “I know first-hand that this dream has yet to be realized. However, I also know that the hope for a better future is not lost. It lives at kitchen tables, on campuses, in state houses, and every place where people are fighting for the freedoms we deserve. I’m grateful to be joined by my family at HRC in this fight, fueled by the shared dream to build pathways for a brighter world.”

Congresswoman Sarah McBride proudly represents Delaware as its sole member of Congress. McBride grew up in Wilmington and has been serving the state for decades as a public servant and advocate. From 2020-2025, Congresswoman McBride served as State Senator for the First State Senate District. She worked for former Governor Jack Markell and the late Attorney General Beau Biden, and served as the national spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign. Prior to her service in the State Senate, McBride led the successful effort to pass a landmark non-discrimination law in Delaware. For her work and advocacy, former Gov. Markell awarded McBride the Order of the First State, making her one of the youngest Delawareans granted the state’s highest civilian honor.

David Archuleta is a Grammy-nominated singer,songwriter and advocate who first gained fame as the runner-up on American Idol in 2008. In June 2021, he courageously came out as queer, sharing his journey of reconciling his sexuality—with feelings spanning bisexual and demisexual identities—with his Mormon faith. He called for greater compassion and understanding among people of faith toward LGBTQ+ communities, affirming that “you can be part of the LGBTQ+ community and still believe in God”. Archuleta’s coming out prompted introspection, a departure from the LDS Church in 2022, and sparked a creative renaissance in his music. His single “Hell Together,” inspired by his experience coming out to his mother, aims to guide parents toward understanding and acceptance of LGBTQ+ children.

VINCINT has captivated millions across the globe with big-hearted pop music. In 2022 “Higher”, the lead single of their debut album The Will Be Tears, became an anthem for pride celebrations across the world. Since then they’ve had their first North America headline tour, supported MAX on tour, made their Coachella debut and performed to over 40,000 fans across the country. Recently VINCINT has released the first two singles off their forthcoming project, Romance and Take Me Home.

Dana Goldberg is a powerhouse comedian and host, seen on TBS, ABC, LOGO, and Last Comic Standing. With standout performances at the San Francisco International Comedy Competition, TBS and HBO’s Comedy Festival, and the Edinburgh Fringe, her quick wit and dynamic stage presence have earned her fans around the world. Known for her sharp political humor, Goldberg’s viral tweets have been featured by the Associated Press, Huffington Post, and more—though not everyone’s a fan (she was famously blocked by Trump on Twitter). As co-host of The Daily Beans and a weekly guest on SiriusXM, she brings humor and heart to urgent issues like pay equity, gun safety, climate change, and trans rights, using comedy as a tool to connect and inspire.

Brian Henry has made his mark as a performer at Coachella, Good Morning America, AFROPUNK, Cannes, Essence & Sundance Film Festivals. He has most notably performed DJ sets for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Kamala Harris, Pharrell and Cardi B. His epic annual summer event tour: The B-Hen Block Party™ welcomes guests from across the globe for a night of electrifying DJ performances. Brian holds a Bachelors of Arts in Economics from Morehouse College, a world renowned HBCU.

This year’s National Dinner will bring together HRC’s dedicated advocates, members and supporters across the country to raise crucial funds in the fight for LGBTQ+ equality. 
 

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people, with 3.6 million members and supporters. The HRC Foundation (a 501(c)(3)) works to ensure LGBTQ+ people are safe, seen and supported where it matters most: at school, at work and in every community across the country. From the courtroom to the classroom, from Congress to corporate America, HRC and the HRC Foundation build power through partnerships, storytelling, and action—working to create a future rooted in equity, freedom and belonging for all LGBTQ+ people.