President Joe Biden to Give Keynote Address at LGBTQ+ Rights Group's National Dinner

President Joe Biden will deliver the keynote address at the Human Rights Campaign’s annual National Dinner Saturday, October 14, and First Lady Jill Biden will also offer remarks.

“We are incredibly excited and humbled to welcome President Biden and the first lady to our National Dinner,” HRC President Kelley Robinson said in a press release. “The Biden administration has been exceptional advocates and change-makers for LGBTQ+ people across this country and the world. Despite the truly monumental steps the Biden administration have made for LGBTQ+ equality, like lifting the blanket ban on gay and bisexual men donating blood, enforcing nondiscrimination laws to protect LGBTQ+ people, and signing the Respect for Marriage Act into law, our community is living in a state of emergency — full stop. It is up to all of us to combat this hate and show anti-LGBTQ+ extremists the growing power of our community.”

This will be Joe Biden’s fourth time attending the HRC National Dinner. He gave the keynote address in 2013 and 2015, both when he was vice president, and 2018. Other sitting presidents who have addressed the dinner are Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. The president and first lady will join other well-known speakers, such as Robinson and the 2023 honorees.

These honorees include and award-winning television writer and producer Shonda Rhimes, who will receive the National Equality Award, which recognizes the efforts of those who use their voice to publicly stand up for the LGBTQ+ community.

Emmy-winning actor, writer, and producer Lena Waithe will receive the Visibility Award, which recognizes LGBTQ+ leaders who live openly and authentically. Golden Globe-winning television and film actor Matt Bomer will be honored with the Impact Award, which recognizes LGBTQ+ people who are dedicated to championing and advocating for the community.

In addition, the four transgender young people, Grayson McFerrin, Libby Gonzales, Hobbes Chukumba, and Daniel Trujillo, who organized Trans Youth Prom will receive special recognition at the dinner for their roles as forces for transgender justice.

The dinner will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. It is sold out, but those who don’t have tickets can sign up for a waiting list here.