Human Rights Campaign to Host “The Power of Equality”

By Viet Tran — Human Rights Campaign

Human Rights Campaign announced it will be broadcasting an online premier inaugural event on January 20 to commemorate the historic election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

Featured special guests and performances include Grammy, Tony and Emmy Award-winning actor, singer and activist Billy Porter; Tony Award-nominees Lauren Patten and DeAnne Stewart – cast members from Broadway’s 15-time Tony Award nominated Jagged Little Pill; actor Matt Bomer; actor and activist Alexandra Billings; actor and writer Jesse James Keitel; and singer and transgender activist Shea Diamond. The event will also feature Senators Tammy Baldwin, John Hickenlooper and Jeff Merkley; Representatives Joyce Beatty, David Cicilline, Angie Craig, Sharice Davids, Raul Ruiz, Mark Takano, and Ritchie Torres; Secretary Designate of Transportation Pete Buttigieg; and Councilwoman Andrea Jenkins. Additional names will be announced in the coming days.

Today, after four years of fighting against government-sanctioned bias, discrimination, and the erosion of our democracy, the Human Rights Campaign is pleased to announce ‘Power of Equality: the LGBTQ Inaugural Event,’ a premiere broadcast inaugural event to commemorate the historic election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

The event will democratize the inauguration experience by inviting our more than 3 million members and supporters to take part in this historic moment and break the traditional bubble of a Washington insider experience.

Our nation is navigating one of the most critical and defining moments in our history. We will join together to not only celebrate the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris but also to support one another as we continue to process last week’s violent insurrection, the ongoing and systemic racial injustice, the COVID-19 pandemic, and economic insecurity. We cannot let the past four years of hate and division define us. Rather, we must use this moment to define a new era of true inclusion for all.

Alphonso David, President of the Human Rights Campaign

The online event is generously supported by Marriott and will be joined by our national LGBTQ political and policy community partners: Center for Black Equity, Equality Federation, Family Equality, Lambda Legal, LGBTQ Victory Fund, LPAC, National Black Justice Coalition, National Center for Transgender Equality, National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, National LGBTQ Task Force, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, PFLAG National, and SAGE.

Since 1993, the LGBTQ community has commemorated the inauguration of the President and Vice President of the United States four times — twice each for Clinton and Gore, and Obama and Biden. In January 2021, the LGBTQ community will continue the tradition with the online event for people to watch in their homes across the country. In 1993, singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge came out as lesbian at the Triangle Ball, a LGBTQ celebration of then President Clinton’s inauguration.

To register for the event, receive updates on specific timing, featured guests and performers, please visit hrc.im/PowerOfEquality.