“Ty Herndon is a fearless advocate for equality, and a country music trailblazer,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “He is changing hearts and minds and using his platform to highlight issues crucial to the LGBTQ community and our fight for full equality. We are proud to honor Ty Herndon at the 2018 HRC Nashville Equality Dinner with the HRC Visibility Award.”

The HRC Visibility Award recognizes the outstanding efforts of those who use their talent and visibility to help better the lives of LGBTQ people. Ty Herndon’s career has produced more than four million in album sales, a Grammy nomination, Dove Award, and multiple No. 1 singles on the Country charts. In November 2014, Herndon became the first major male country artist to publicly come out as gay. He made history when he hosted the first-of-its-kind country music event, The Concert For Love and Acceptance, designed to bring attention and support to at-risk youth. Herndon also participated in the recording of “Hands,” a musical tribute to the memory of the 49 people -- most of them LGBTQ and Latinx -- killed in the senseless act of gun violence at Pulse nightclub on June 12, 2016. Herndon has been a strong supporter of equality and has publicly opposed legislation in Tennessee attacking transgender students in public schools and universities.

The 2018 HRC Nashville Equality Dinner will be held at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. The annual event raises crucial funds in the fight for full LGBTQ equality and is an opportunity for local supporters to come together for an inspirational evening. To purchase tickets to the event or receive more information, please visit https://www.hrc.org/events/nashville-gala.

Media interested in covering the event should request media credentials in advance by emailing stephen.peters@hrc.org with full name, outlet affiliation, role, and cell phone number no later than Thursday, March 15, 2018.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

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