Dear Friends, 

As we step into 2025, my heart is filled with pride in our community and hope for the future we can build together. Hope I see in every corner of our movement – young people stepping into their truth with unstoppable courage, families embracing their children with fierce love, teachers creating safe spaces in their classrooms, business leaders championing inclusion, and activists who wake up every day ready to push our movement forward. Your resilience isn't just personal strength – it's the power that moves history forward.

In countless ways, big and small, you prove that love still conquers hate, that dignity defeats discrimination, and that together we can build a future worthy of our dreams. This is what leadership looks like. This is what change looks like. This is what hope looks like in action. As your president, I've never been more certain of what we can achieve together.  Because when I look at our community, I don't just see the challenges we face – I see the power we hold. I see a movement that understands the hard work ahead and stands ready to do it, day after day, battle after battle.

This week has given us powerful cause for hope in the progress we're making: Sarah McBride made history as the first transgender woman sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives. Emily Randall became the first openly queer Latina in Congress, while Julie Johnson broke barriers as the first openly lesbian congresswoman from the South. They join over 1,200 out LGBTQ+ elected officials serving across America – each one a testament to our community's resilience and a beacon of hope for future generations.

Adding to these historic moments, President Biden honored two giants of our movement at the White House on January 2. Evan Wolfson, founder of Freedom to Marry, and Mary L. Bonauto of GLAD Law, who famously argued the Obergefell case before the Supreme Court of the United States, received the Presidential Citizens Medal — our nation's second-highest civilian honor — for their transformative work in achieving marriage equality. As the President noted, "Together, you embody the central truth: We're a great nation because we're a good people." Their recognition reminds us that progress is possible when we dare to imagine and fight for change.

The Advocate: Biden honors LGBTQ+ trailblazers for marriage equality contributions at Presidential Citizens Medal ceremony.

We face significant challenges ahead. The incoming administration has made their stance clear – they seek to roll back our hard-won progress. But we are not without hope, and we are certainly not without power. The Human Rights Campaign will be focused on shifting the momentum by connecting key battles across the country. We’ll be defending our progress and championing LGBTQ+ people in our schools and workplaces, in our communities and in political battles here in Washington and in the states.  By linking these strategic fights together, we will create a united force for progress that can't be ignored or divided. 

So What’s Next?

Taking Care of Our People In times of uncertainty, our first duty is to protect and support our community. We've created a comprehensive resource center at hrc.org/resources to help navigate these challenging times — from updating identity documents to accessing healthcare and practicing essential self-care. Our young people in schools need protection; our families across the country need defense, and our community needs tools to safeguard their fundamental freedoms. In the months ahead, we must choose community — stepping up to protect those who need us most and caring for each other with unwavering dedication.

Staying in The Fight This year demands our presence in every arena where our rights are at stake. We'll be there — in school board meetings and state houses, in corporate boardrooms and congressional halls — pushing back against anti-LGBTQ+ policies with unwavering determination. We'll leverage tools like our Corporate Equality Index to hold businesses accountable to their stated values. Where pro-equality champions lead, we'll advance policies that showcase what's possible. History has shown that when we show up united, we win. This year, we show up for every fight.

Creating a New Chapter in History Our greatest challenge extends beyond any single election cycle or policy fight — we must fundamentally change the American narrative. We need to tell a story that transforms "political talking points" into real people — family members, classmates, coworkers and friends. We must help people recognize their common humanity, fostering understanding through tough but necessary conversations around kitchen tables and at PTA meetings. 

This is about daring America to imagine something different, something better — a nation more expansive, more bold and more inclusive than anything previously conceived. And here is the good news. Our story is being written in community centers and courtrooms, in state houses and school boards, in the quiet courage of coming out and the bold vision of creating families in all their beautiful forms. This is not just about defending what we have — it's about imagining and building the future we deserve. This is the legacy we're creating for 2025 and beyond.

And speaking of family, I want to share some personal joy that deepens my commitment to this work. Over the holiday break, Becky and I announced that we're expecting! We shared our journey to parenthood in The Grio, adding our story to the beautiful tapestry of LGBTQ+ families across America. 

This year will bring challenges, yes. But when I think about the child we’re expecting and the  future we’re fighting for, I'm reminded of what's at stake – and what's possible. Like generations before us, we find our greatest strength in each other. Every parent's dream for their child is a world where they can thrive, freely and fully. Together, we'll build that world not just for our children, but for all who come after them.

Dear Friends,

This week, I am filled with pride to share historic news about corporate America’s commitment to equality. This week, the HRC Foundation released our 2025 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) marking the strongest showing in our 22-year history of measuring workplace equality. A record 1,449 businesses, including 72 new companies who are a part of the Index for the first time. Even more impressive, 765 companies earned a score of 100 — a 28% increase from last year. Together, these participating companies employ over 22 million U.S. employees, showing just how far-reaching our impact has become.

HR Brew: 98% of businesses have gender identity and sexual orientation non-discrimination policies, up from 5% in 2002, report finds.

In today's climate, we're seeing unequivocally that inclusion isn't just the right thing to do — it's good business. Our recent Climate Survey reveals that 93.5% of LGBTQ+ workers view a score of 100 as a meaningful signal of support for our community. This matters because talent is watching: 60% of employees now consider inclusive work cultures crucial in their employment decisions, up 9 points from 2022. The message is clear: companies that champion equality aren't just building better workplaces; they're building stronger businesses.

The numbers tell a compelling story of progress:

+ An overwhelming 98% of participating companies now include sexual orientation and gender identity in their non-discrimination policies — up from just 5% in 2002

+ 82% provide equivalent spousal and partner medical benefits

+ 87% offer equal health coverage for transgender individuals

+ We saw a 25% increase in companies providing LGBTQ+ health benefits guides

Perhaps most notably, 1,051 companies have established gender transition guidelines with supportive policies — a 21% increase from last year. This shows that even in the face of anti-transgender legislation across the country, corporate America is standing firm in its commitment to inclusion.

We've faced unprecedented challenges this year, with attacks on DEI initiatives and attempts to pressure companies away from their inclusive values. Yet the CEI results tell a different story: businesses are committed to equality because they understand that inclusive workplaces drive innovation, attract top talent and build stronger connections with consumers.

Our data shows that companies can't afford to retreat from equality: nearly 20% of LGBTQ+ employees would leave companies that walk back inclusion commitments, and 80% of LGBTQ+ consumers are ready to boycott businesses that roll back these initiatives. This isn't just about values — it's about value creation.

As we celebrate this year's success, we're already thinking about tomorrow's challenges. The CEI has evolved from a simple workplace survey into a comprehensive roadmap for corporate inclusion. We're seeing companies not just meeting basic standards but proactively expanding benefits, creating more inclusive healthcare coverage and developing robust support systems for transitioning employees.

Our door remains open to every company willing to learn and grow. Whether you're an Equality 100 veteran or considering participation for the first time, the HRC Foundation is here to partner with you in creating workplaces where every employee can thrive.

None of this would be possible without our dedicated team, our corporate partners and supporters like you who believe in the power of workplace equality. The message from this year's CEI is clear: the business case for equality transcends politics. When companies invest in inclusion, they invest in their own success. 

Dear Friends,

As we face the realities of the year ahead, we must remember that we are a strong, determined and diverse community that has faced many challenges over the course of our history. Our movement and our work at the Human Rights Campaign have always been about the journey we’re making together, not the obstacles in our path. 

When the AIDS crisis devastated our community, we organized, raised awareness and fought back. When our right to marry was denied, we shared our stories, orchestrated a strategic state-by-state plan, changed hearts and minds and prevailed. We’ve stood on the shoulders of giants like Audre Lorde, Pauli Murray, Harvey Milk, Bayard Rustin and Marsha P. Johnson who showed us what courage, hope and perseverance look like. They carried the spirit of the civil rights movement forward and passed the baton to the next generation.

Now is another inflection point in our journey… We know that significant challenges lie ahead. But since the beginning of our movement, we have approached our struggles as a united force, with energy and purpose and a compelling vision for our common future. And so let’s stay clear-eyed and committed to protecting and advancing equality — even in the face of unprecedented challenges.

Just this week, extremist members of the House of Representatives advanced a deeply partisan bill that would prohibit transgender youth from participating in school sports nationwide, a bill that would interfere with the safety and privacy of all girls. As we have seen recently in Florida and Utah, similar state legislation has led to the harassment and humiliation of young girls, regardless of whether they identify as trans. This type of legislation is not meant to solve any pressing problem; it is simply a tool to politicize transgender children for political gain.

So, yes, the path ahead will require steely determination. We see threats to diverse and inclusive workplaces, safe and welcoming schools, and our community’s dignity and safety. But we know the way forward — it’s through unity, service and showing up for each other every day, in these ways large and small.

A lot of you have been asking what you can do — here are just a few ways that you can help:

Stay informed by reading our messages. Take action when we ask. Together, we will speak up and call out discrimination and injustice toward LGBTQ+ Americans.

Call and email your elected representatives at the federal, state and local levels. Your voice needs to be heard! We’ve earned our influence and power — we must use it.

Continue your financial support of HRC to ensure that we have the necessary resources to protect equality in every aspect of our lives. Invite others to join us! We need to be ready, often at a moment’s notice, to respond to all threats to our hard-won progress.

Be active and aware of what’s happening in your state and in local politics, including state legislatures, city councils and school boards. Together, we will battle back against anti-LGBTQ+ forces and work to protect our community at home.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn and share our content with your networks. Help spread the truth and counter misinformation and disinformation. Our stories give voice to the lived experiences of our community and raise awareness about the impact of policy decisions on LGBTQ+ people and allies.

I hope you are prepared to join us every step of the way.

Next week, to demonstrate the commitment and power of our community, HRC will officially launch our 100,000 Actions in 100 Days Challenge. Along the way, we will ask you to take action with us in order to demonstrate the breadth and depth of support in this nation for LGBTQ+ rights. Can we count on you to stay active, stay informed and stay engaged with HRC — for the next 100 days and beyond?

And remember, Inauguration Day is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Despite the obstacles on our path, we can see the mountaintop toward which we’re ultimately headed. Getting there requires us to put one foot in front of the other, persevere and win the glory of our liberation for generations to come. It will take work, courage, community and the guiding lights of both our ancestors and our posterity.

Today, friends, I’m asking you to find some love, find some joy, find some peace and commit to continuing the journey toward equality for all. We need you with us like never before. And together — I know it in my bones — we will get there.

Dear Friends,

What a week it has been. But these are the moments that remind us why we fight, why we organize and why we stand together.

On Monday, we saw the inauguration of Donald Trump — a man who has made it clear that his administration will work to harm our community, especially transgender people — on the very same day we honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. As we reflected on Dr. King’s fight for racial justice and equality, we were confronted with the harsh reality that our own struggle for justice continues, and in some ways, is about to get harder.

I know many of you are feeling uncertain, anxious, even afraid. Those feelings are real, and they’re valid. The path ahead looks steep, and at times, it may feel like we’re losing ground. But I want to remind you of something powerful: we’ve been here before. We have always faced great adversity, and we have never backed down. Our movement is not defined by the obstacles placed in our way but by how we come together to overcome them.

Think of the giants whose shoulders we stand on — Audre Lorde, Pauli Murray, Harvey Milk, Bayard Rustin, Marsha P. Johnson — each of them fighting for the collective freedom of all people. They faced tremendous challenges, and yet they never wavered. Today, it is our turn to continue that fight.

This week, we’ve also seen some deeply troubling actions from the Trump administration. Executive orders targeting our LGBTQ+ community — including harmful provisions that will undermine workplace protections, restrict access to healthcare and embolden discrimination — are a direct attack on our rights. These actions are meant to sow division, to create chaos and to strip away the dignity of our community. But here’s the truth: We will not be intimidated.

These orders can be challenged, and they will be. We are already fighting back, in court, on Capitol Hill and in our communities. These attempts to erase our rights will not succeed. We will show up, as we always have, for the trans people, the queer people, the Black and Brown folks, the immigrants and all those who are most vulnerable. This is our fight, and we are in it for the long haul.

To help make sure we are mobilizing every fair-minded person possible in our efforts to oppose the Trump Administration’s anti-equality agenda, we launched our 100,000 Actions in 100 Days Challenge. You can help now by signing your name. Together, we can meet this goal! And we would also like to invite you to a community telephone town hall on Wednesday, 1/29, at 6:00 PM ET — you can RSVP here. 

This week, I also had the honor of participating in a roundtable with civil rights leaders from across the country, facilitated by the National Urban League. The conversation focused on the threats to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility posed by this new administration. Together, we pledged to work in solidarity to push back against these harmful policies and continue advancing the fight for justice for all people.

This week also brought a personal loss for me. We lost a fierce ally, mentor and friend — Cecile Richards. Cecile was not just a leader in the fight for women’s rights and social justice; she was someone who showed me, personally, what it means to be bold, compassionate and unwavering in the face of injustice. She was a mentor who taught me that power doesn’t come from silence — it comes from standing up, speaking out and creating space for others to do the same. I’ve leaned on her wisdom and guidance more times than I can count, and her absence feels so deeply personal.

But even as I grieve, I know that Cecile’s legacy is something we carry forward. Her courage, her vision and her relentless commitment to justice live on in each of us who knew her. I promise you, we will continue the work she started. We will continue to fight for a world where every person is treated with dignity, where equity is a reality and where love always wins.

We are facing a difficult moment, but we’ve faced difficulty before — and we’ve emerged stronger. Dr. King’s dream, and Cecile’s dream, are not distant hopes; they are calls to action. So, we will keep pushing forward, hand in hand, knowing that together, we can overcome anything.

Dear Friends,

The past few days have tested our resolve in ways that feel unprecedented. Each new headline has landed like a body blow to our community, and I've heard from so many of you sharing your fears, anger and uncertainty. In a world that sometimes feels intent on attacking our existence and humanity, these feelings aren't just valid — they're a response to extraordinary challenges.

Yet even in these difficult moments, I see countless examples of courage that fill me with hope. Last week, Bishop Budde delivered a profound prayer at the National Prayer Breakfast in D.C. that transcended political boundaries. Speaking directly to former President Trump, she urged compassion for those living in fear, reminding everyone present that "there are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives." Her words weren't about politics — they were a moral call for empathy that our nation desperately needs.

This week, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and Lambda Legal announced our intent to sue the Trump administration over their latest attempt to ban transgender Americans from serving in our armed forces. This new executive order goes even further than the previous ban from Trump’s first term and would affect both current service members and those wishing to enlist. We refuse to stand by while thousands of highly trained transgender troops, who are currently protecting our country, face discrimination and potential discharge simply for being who they are.

We also saw a major defeat of the new administration after an unconstitutional executive order threatened federal grants — affecting crucial programs like the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program, PEPFAR, school lunches, Meals on Wheels, and Medicaid Head Start — was stopped in its tracks — for now. This victory didn’t happen on its own; it happened because we fought back.

The stay of this order proves something crucial: even without congressional majorities, our unified voice carries tremendous power. We can and will continue to protect our families, our freedoms and our collective future.

As we navigate these challenging times, we're being strategic and precise about when and how we fight. Our approach consists of three clear elements that maximize our impact and resources:

First, we're taking direct action against discriminatory policies. Our recent lawsuit challenging the transgender military ban demonstrates this commitment. 

Another way we're taking action is by ensuring our champions and opponents alike hear from us, whether through private meetings or public actions. Our “100,000 Actions in 100 Days Challenge” has already mobilized over 40,000 community members, showing the incredible momentum we've built.

Second, we're building coalitions across movements, because none of us are free until all of us are free. In an intersectional show of unified leadership, I joined fellow coalition leaders to directly challenge the weaponization of DEI in the wake of the Ronald Reagan airport tragedy. The Trump administration's attempt to draw unfounded connections between diversity initiatives and aviation safety not only misrepresents the facts but threatens the progress we've made in creating more inclusive workplaces across all sectors.

A highlight of the week was sharing the stage at Howard University with Stacey Abrams, where we engaged in a powerful dialogue about how DEI strengthens our institutions and communities. At a time when LGBTQ+ rights and racial justice initiatives face coordinated opposition, this conversation at a historically Black university underscored the inseparable nature of our movements and the necessity of standing together.

Third, we're taking ownership of our narrative. We refuse to let others define this moment or our movement. Instead, we're telling our own story — one that encompasses not just our struggles, but our triumphs, joy and resilience. 

Even in challenging times, our community continues to create and celebrate. Last week at Paris Fashion Week, our partnership with designer Willy Chavarria and Tinder transformed one of fashion's biggest stages into a platform for LGBTQ+ advocacy and inclusion. These moments remind us that our story isn't just about resistance — it's about joy, creativity and unwavering pride in who we are.

My father always told me, especially during tough times, to "remember who you are and whose you are." These words resonate deeply now. We are the Human Rights Campaign — a community defined not by the forces trying to divide us but by our courage to stand together. We won't let others define this moment or our movement. Instead, we'll continue telling our own story — one that captures not just our struggles but our triumphs, joy and resilience.

Together, we're building a future where every single member of our community can live openly, safely and proudly. And we're not going anywhere.