Please join HRC Chicago for our annual Gala & Auction. This annual event celebrates the great strides made for LGBTQ equality across the nation, honoring local leadership excellence, and strengthening our convictions on helping those who still experience profound injustice.
Saturday, November 18, 5:00pm-11:00pm
Fairmont Chicago, 200 N. Columbus Dr., Chicago, IL
The Human Rights Campaign Chicago Dinner Gala is one of the largest annual LGBT fundraising events in the Midwest. Last year, almost 1,000 people came together as a community to show their support for HRC.
The night will begin with a VIP reception followed by the silent auction then to the main dinner event. The event has an array of speakers each year with past appearances from Governor Pat Quinn, Jim Obergefell, the named plaintiff in the U.S. Supreme Court case Obergefell, et al. v. Hodges, and Michael Sam, former player with the St. Louis Rams.
5:00 p.m. - Donor Reception & Auction Preview
6:00 p.m. - Reception & Silent Auction
6:45 p.m. - Dinner & Awards
10:00 p.m. - After Party
Saturday, November 18, 5:00pm-11:00pm
Fairmont Chicago, 200 N. Columbus Dr., Chicago, IL
The Human Rights Campaign Chicago Dinner Gala is one of the largest annual LGBT fundraising events in the Midwest. Last year, almost 1,000 people came together as a community to show their support for HRC.
The night will begin with a VIP reception followed by the silent auction then to the main dinner event. The event has an array of speakers each year with past appearances from Governor Pat Quinn, Jim Obergefell, the named plaintiff in the U.S. Supreme Court case Obergefell, et al. v. Hodges, and Michael Sam, former player with the St. Louis Rams.
5:00 p.m. - Donor Reception & Auction Preview
6:00 p.m. - Reception & Silent Auction
6:45 p.m. - Dinner & Awards
10:00 p.m. - After Party
2017 Speakers
Sarah McBride is the National Press Secretary for the Human Rights Campaign.
In 2012, Sarah made national headlines when she came out as transgender while serving as student body president at American University. A native of Wilmington, Delaware, Sarah serves on the Board of Directors of Equality Delaware, the state’s primary LGBTQ-advocacy organization. In that capacity, Sarah helped lead the successful effort to add gender identity and expression to her state’s nondiscrimination and hate-crimes laws. In 2008, Sarah worked for Governor Jack Markell (D-DE) and, in 2010, for former Attorney General Beau Biden (D-DE). Prior to coming to HRC, Sarah worked on LGBTQ equality at the Center for American Progress and interned at the White House, the first out trans woman to do so.
Sarah became the first openly transgender person to address a major party political convention when she spoke at the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
In 2012, Sarah made national headlines when she came out as transgender while serving as student body president at American University. A native of Wilmington, Delaware, Sarah serves on the Board of Directors of Equality Delaware, the state’s primary LGBTQ-advocacy organization. In that capacity, Sarah helped lead the successful effort to add gender identity and expression to her state’s nondiscrimination and hate-crimes laws. In 2008, Sarah worked for Governor Jack Markell (D-DE) and, in 2010, for former Attorney General Beau Biden (D-DE). Prior to coming to HRC, Sarah worked on LGBTQ equality at the Center for American Progress and interned at the White House, the first out trans woman to do so.
Sarah became the first openly transgender person to address a major party political convention when she spoke at the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
**This event will have ASL interpreters to be accessible to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community **
Thank you to all of our 2017 National Corporate Partners, Local Corporate Sponsors and Media Sponsors!
How you can help.
Our corporate sponsors are comprised of leading financial institutions, retailers, accounting firms, energy companies, law firms, etc. They understand that HRC’s supporters have tremendous buying power and influence in the Chicago area and beyond.
Sponsorship of HRC enables businesses to demonstrate leadership support for the LGBTQ community at large, and provides an opportunity to reinforce their company’s diversity strategy with current and future employees, clients and investors. Click here for our Corporate Sponsorship packet. For more information, email corporate@hrcchicago.org. Thank you to our 2017 National Partners and Local Sponsors! 
Table captains for the HRC Chicago Gala Dinner serve a critical role in the success of the event. By pledging to sell a full table of 10 seats, table captains ensure that the event is one of the largest and most successful fundraisers for the LGBTQ movement for equality. HRC also strives to assemble a diverse group of table captains in order to fully represent all communities in support of equality.
There is no financial commitment to become a table captain. Jump on board! For more information, email TableCaptain@hrcchicago.org or click here! |
Our media sponsors help provide trade marketing to ensure the success and attendance of the annual gala. These companies demonstrate commitment for the LGBTQ community through their efforts to bring awareness of the event and the goals of HRC.
Click here for our Media Sponsorship packet. For more information, email communications@hrcchicago.org. 
The Gala would not be a success if it weren't for each and every volunteer. From exciting pre-Gala events, to onsite setup and execution the night of the Gala, over 100 volunteers come together to roll up their sleeves and make the Gala a historic - and
fun - event. The opportunities to volunteer vary, so there is something for everyone. Interested in volunteering? Email us at volunteer@hrcchicago.org. |
We are pleased to feature a wide variety of fabulous auction items at the HRC Chicago Gala. We thank our local and national supporters for contributing to the event.
The Silent & Live Auctions are essential to the success of this important fundraiser. The auction at the HRC Chicago Gala is an ideal way for businesses to showcase their products or services to the nearly 800 Gala attendees. For more information, email Auction@HRCChicago.org. Click here to link to our Silent Auction Brochure. 
The Gala program book provides a great opportunity to present your advertising message and to show your support for equality to hundreds of people in attendance. Brand loyalty is a proven aspect of the LGBTQ community. This consumer segment actively chooses to purchase products from organizations and brands that support them.
Want to be seen? Email the Program Book Team at programbook@hrcchicago.org. Click here for our Program Book Rates. |
