Post submitted by former HRC Digital Media Manager Helen Parshall

Longtime HRC member and supporter Alan Uphold had almost forgotten to buy his tickets for the Lexus raffle at the 2017 HRC National Dinner.

Lexus has been an HRC National Corporate Partner for the past decade, and each year the company donates a car to be raffled in support of equality.

Luckily, Uphold and his husband Jeff were able to purchase a ticket for the Lexus raffle at the silent auction.

When his name was called as the winner just a short time after, Uphold said he leapt out of his seat, jumping up and down and screaming.

“It was an incredible rush,” recalled Uphold. “When my name was called I couldn’t believe it.”

Nearly one year later, HRC caught up with Uphold to hear about his experience.

How did you hear about the raffle?

I am a former HRC board member, and one of our responsibilities was to encourage people to buy raffle tickets every year. It’s a great way to support the important work of HRC -- all of the money goes to the fight for LGBTQ equality.

Why did you decide to enter the raffle and support HRC? 

HRC has helped LGBTQ Americans win many hard fought battles for equality, but given the current leadership in Washington, D.C., my husband Jeff and I are acutely aware of how precarious those rights are. We all need to support HRC however we can -- and you could win a car!

How did you find out you had won the Lexus?

I was sitting next to my sister Bonnie, who is currently on the Board of Governors for Los Angeles. We were both in a foul mood because we’re huge Penn State fans, and just as the dinner was beginning, Ohio State beat Penn State in the final seconds of the game.

Our friend Dana Goldberg does the live auction for the National Dinner. I kept saying over and over to myself, “She’s gonna say Alan Uphold.”

I’ll never forget the moment when she said, “Oh my God. I don’t believe it. It’s Alan Uphold!”

What did it feel like to hear your name called?

I've never won anything in my life -- unless you count that time in eighth grade when I won an Eagles album -- so when my name was called I couldn’t believe it. I just kept saying to my husband Jeff, “Oh my God! We just won a car!”

What do you plan to do with your new car? 

My husband and I are hoping to take a road trip up the Pacific Coast -- after we attend the HRC National Dinner on September 15, of course.

Interested in entering for a chance to win an all-new Lexus at HRC's National Dinner like Alan did? Click here for your chance to win an all-new Lexus ES F SPORT.

To learn more about the HRC National Dinner, check out hrcnationaldinner.org.