WASHINGTON, DC – Tonight, Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson addressed millions of Americans from the Democratic National Convention stage. The history-making leader shared a stirring reminder of the progress made in the fight for freedom and equality – and underscored the stakes for those values in the upcoming election.

In her remarks as prepared, Robinson told the powerful story of her own family’s journey from being enslaved in Mississippi to becoming the first free Black family in their town of Muscatine, Iowa:

“The story of America is the story of progress towards freedom. In just a few generations, my family went from being enslaved in Mississippi to the first free Black family in Muscatine, Iowa, to preparing to elect President Kamala Harris.”

She also lifted the stories of LGBTQ+ trailblazers from across the country whose lived experiences define the resilience, power, and determination of the community. The stories included those of a transgender Arizona young person whose courageous advocacy has helped safeguard equality in that state, a California couple whose marriage, officiated by then-Attorney General Kamala Harris, was the first in the state after the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals lifted its stay on an injunction that ordered state officials to stop enforcing the state’s ban on same sex marriages, and a Texas veteran whose brave service is a reminder of the community’s commitment to protecting and defending our freedoms and whose advocacy helped end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

“We’re your family, classmates, and neighbors. Like Daniel, a trans kid in Tucson going to his first prom. Like Eric from San Antonio, who sacrificed in combat and battled to end Don't Ask, Don’t Tell. Like Sandy and Kris, the first same-sex couple to get legally married in California eleven years ago in a ceremony officiated by Kamala Harris.”

Robinson also laid out the clear contrast between Donald Trump’s devastating Project 2025 agenda and the hope of Kamala Harris presidency:

“Donald Trump wants to erase us. He would ban our healthcare. Belittle our marriages. Bury our stories. But we’re not going anywhere.”

To raucous applause, she delivered a clear charge to the pro-equality crowd:

“We fight for lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and trans freedom without exception. Equality without exception. Joy without exception. And when we fight, we win.”

View full remarks from Kelley Robinson here: https://youtu.be/aWvt0rCKwhY

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.