Human Rights Campaign to Honor “Rustin” & “The Color Purple” Actor Colman Domingo, “Monica” Actress Trace Lysette and Macy’s, Inc. CEO Jeff Gennette at 2024 Greater New York Dinner

by Aryn Fields

NEW YORK — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) – the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization – announced its honorees for the 2024 HRC Greater New York Dinner. Award-winning actor, playwright and producer Colman Domingo will be receiving the HRC Equality Award for his transformative work showcasing stories of being both Black and queer. Actress and transgender advocate Trace Lysette will also be honored at the dinner, receiving the HRC Trailblazer Award for her influential expansion of transgender visibility on and off screen. Presenting Trace with her award will be Queer as Folk actor Johnny Sibilly. Macy’s Inc. Chairman & CEO Jeff Gennette will be receiving the HRC Corporate Visibility Award for his unwavering dedication to bolstering LGBTQ+ inclusivity in business. Additional entertainment will be provided by comedian, Dana Goldberg.

The Dinner will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at the New York Hilton Midtown.

“Colman Domingo, Trace Lysette and Jeff Gennette are powerhouses in their fields, showing the world that LGBTQ+ people belong everywhere, from the big screen to the boardroom. As the LGBTQ+ community navigates a national state of emergency and faces an onslaught of targeted attacks, having the representation, leadership and support of such dedicated LGBTQ+ advocates fortifies our strength in this fight for freedom and equality,” said Human Right Campaign President Kelley Robinson. “We are so proud to celebrate Colman, Trace and Jeff and all the work they do to build a better world for the LGBTQ+ community.”

Colman Domingo, the Emmy Award-winning actor, playwright and producer, has received a 2024 Bafta, SAG, Critics Choice and Golden Globe award nomination for his recent role as Civil Rights leader Bayard Rustin in Higher Ground’s Rustin. Additionally, Domingo is well known for his Emmy Award-winning role as “Ali” in HBO’s Euphoria as well as his roles in The Color Purple. Additional credits include: Zola, If Beale Street Could Talk, Candyman and many more. Domingo co-produced the Pulitzer Prize-winning and Tony-nominated play Fat Ham and co-wrote, produced and starred in the Academy Award shortlisted animated short film New Moon. In 2024, Domingo will be seen in A24’s Sing Sing, Focus Features’ Drive Away Dolls, and The Madness, an eight-part limited series by Clement Virgo for Netflix.

“By living at the intersection of Blackness and queerness, it has always been important for me to show that there is joy in every part of who we are,” said Colman Domingo, Emmy Award-winning actor. “Our roots, our history and our identities are things to be celebrated, even though we’re facing an on-slaught of hate-fueled attacks from people who don’t want us to believe that. We must continue this fight for LGBTQ+ justice, for racial justice and for a future where we can freely show-up as our complete selves. I am so honored to be receiving this award and to be united with the Human Rights Campaign and the LGBTQ+ community.”

Trace Lysette is a prolific and talented actress known for her remarkable contributions to the entertainment industry and her emergence as a powerful voice for the representation of transgender individuals in Hollywood. Trace's breakthrough came when she was cast in the groundbreaking Amazon series Transparent where she played a transgender woman navigating the complexities of her identity within a family undergoing their own transformative experience. Additionally, Lysette has appeared in a plethora of amazing work including Quantum Leap, Pose, David Makes Man, Blunt Talk and Drunk History. Lysette currently stars in the critically acclaimed film Monica opposite Patricia Clarkson and directed by Andrea Pallaoro, for which she is nominated for “Best Leading Performance in a Film.”

“As an out trans woman, ensuring that the entertainment industry is equitable and celebrates all identities is such an important way we can work towards building a better future for our community,” said Trace Lysette, actress and advocate. “Visibility is so important, and we must continue to break down barriers and create opportunities for LGBTQ+ people to be seen, celebrated and embraced. I am so honored to be receiving the Trailblazer award and appreciate having HRC as an ally in this fight for full equality.”

A native of San Diego and a graduate of Stanford University, Jeff Gennette began his retail career in 1983 as an executive trainee at Macy’s West in San Francisco. As an openly gay senior leader at Macy’s for more than 40 years, he held positions of increasing responsibility, including Senior Vice President and General Merchandise Manager for Men’s and Children’s Apparel, Chief Merchandising Officer, and President. In 2017, Gennette was elected Chief Executive Officer of Macy’s, Inc. and assumed the role of Chairman in February 2018. Gennette also serves on the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion Task Force and the Governing Committee for Racial Equity. A champion of the diverse communities served by the iconic retailer, Gennette has transformed Macy’s, Inc. into a purpose driven organization. He is a devoted father to his daughter, Jude, and a loving husband to his partner Geoff Welch.

“As one of a handful of openly gay CEOs of a Fortune 500 company, I believe it is imperative to be a vocal advocate for my community—not only to combat the current attacks plaguing LGBTQ+ people, but to show the world that LGBTQ+ people belong in every room, including the board room,” said Jeff Gennette, Chairman & CEO of Macy’s, Inc. “By employing inclusivity, visibility and equality focused corporate policies, we can create companies that serve everyone and help to build a more equitable world. I’m so grateful for this recognition and will continue to stand with the community as we work towards a brighter future.”

The 2024 HRC Greater New York Dinner brings together HRC’s most active members and supporters in the greater New York area to raise crucial funds in the fight for LGBTQ+ equality. Tickets and further information are available at https://greaterny.hrc.org/events/greater-new-york-dinner.

Due to limited space, only members of the media who have been credentialed in advance will be allowed entrance.

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