On Saturday, February 7th, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), hosted its annual Greater New York Dinner at the Marriott Marquis Times Square in Manhattan.
This journalist participated in blue carpet interviews prior to the event with other credentialed members of the press.
The HRC is the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization. It brought together hundreds of LGBTQ+ advocates and supporters for this annual event.
2026 HRC Honorees
This year’s event honored actress, singer and dancer Jane Krakowski, New York–based fashion designer Daniella Kallmeyer, and transgender activist Juli Grey-Owens.
Jane Krakowski received HRC’s “Ally for Equality Award” while fashion designer Daniella Kallmeyer was honored with HRC’s “Visibility Award” and Juli Grey-Owens was recognized with the 2026 “Community Impact Award.”
Notable guests
Other special guests included actor and singer Tituss Burgess, The Gilded Age actress Louisa Jacobson, the iconic voice of the NYC Subway, Bernie Wagenblast and comedian and Out 100 Honoree Dana Goldberg.
Oscar-nominated actress Naomi Watts, actress Louisa Jacobson, and bestselling author Jodie Patterson were also in attendance.
Juli Grey-Owens
On being honored with the “Community Impact Award,” Juli said, “It is pretty exciting! I really appreciate it. The cause itself is important, especially for my community, gender-expansive people.”
“It is so important for us to get visibility and to make people aware of our issues. It’s a real public for the public to know about us and to understand us,” she noted.
“From tonight, I hope it brings unity… where we can work together to make things power,” Juli added.
New York Assemblyman Alex Bores
Alex Bores is a New York Assemblyman (District 73), who is a candidate for Congress.
“It feels great to be here,” he exclaimed. “There is so much joy and pride in this room! We have a fight ahead of us obviously, but to be in this room with champions and allies is invigorating.”
“This cause is important because it involves human rights,” he said. “Everyone should have their own right to live as they are, to have their basic autonomy respected.”
“The fact that we are seeing LGBTQ+ rights being pulled back in this country, is sad. We are supposed to be expanding rights, not having rights taken away from us,” he observed.
“So, it’s important to tell everyone in the LGBTQ+ community that we see them and that we are standing with them,” he elaborated.
On running for Congress, he exclaimed, “It feels amazing! The reception has been phenomenal.”
“We have a lot that this next Congress needs to do, and they need people in office that actually have a track record and know how to get things done. Also, people that are willing to stand up and fight when all the treats come in,” he elaborated.
“I hope people get joy from this event tonight,” he added.
Lauren Chan
Lauren Chan is an entrepreneur, fashion editor, and model.
Lauren remarked, “It feels great to be here! It feels like it has been a year of tough news whether we are talking about ICE or trans healthcare.”
“It is very important that we take moments to come together as a community and as allies to remember that we have power, and to use our voices to execute that power. New York City has always been a epicenter of our community. There is a lot of powerful energy in this room tonight, so it feels great to be here,” she elaborated.
“From tonight’s event, I want people to know that we have power. There are so many challenges presented to our community right now, and we cannot forget the power we have access to, especially when we come together,” Lauren acknowledged.
Brandon Cole Bailey
Actor and influencer Brandon Cole Bailey served as a notable guest.
On being a part of this event, Brandon said said, “IT feels amazing! I think It’s for such a great cause. I’m really honored to get to be here and to be a part of something so beautiful.”
“I hope the world just gets better because honestly, right now, we are in a very scary and dark place,” Brandon noted. “So, all of us in the LGBTQ+ community coming together for a night like this is really important and special. Hopefully, it can help a lot people!”
New York Congressman Dan Goldman
The congressman remarked, “It is great to be here. It is so important to celebrate the work that the Human Rights Campaign does, not only to fight for LGBTQ+ justice, but to fight against hate of all kinds. It is really time that we are unified together against hate; I am proud to be here to celebrate the work that the HRC does.”
“I want people to know that my colleagues and I, in the Democratic Party at least, are strongly and firmly behind the LGBTQ+ community,” he noted.
“Tonight, I want people to understand the importance of freedom and the importance of individual freedom; being able to live the life that you want to live and who you want to love and marry, and what healthcare you want for your own body. The fundamental nature of freedom is ringing loud and clear here tonight,” he elaborated.
New York State senator Erik Bottcher
New York State senator Erik Bottcher stated, “It’s incredible to be here. There is nothing more important than supporting organizations like HRC right now. Our community is under attack in ways that it hasn’t been attacked in many years.”
“We need to make sure that our advocates and organizations like HRC are well-funded and supported. That’s why it is so great to see such a great turnout tonight on this cold, cold night,” he elaborated.
“People are coming out because they know that we need to defend our rights,” he underscored.
“LGBTQ+ rights are human rights,” he said. “This a fork in the road for our country. I know we are going to continue to march towards the fulfillment of the promise of our country. HRC is fighting to make sure that we do the right thing!”
Don Lemon makes a surprise appearance at the dinner event
Don Lemon made a surprise appearance, where he delivered an emotional speech at the dinner portion of the event about the attacks on journalistic freedom and the need for solidarity in these precarious times.
“The First Amendment is not just a legal guarantee. It is breath in the lungs of a democracy. And when that breath is threatened, you feel it before you can explain it,” Lemon said.
HRC President Kelley Robinson
HRC President Kelley Robinson gave a rousing speech about the fight for LGBTQ+ equality.
“I believe this with everything in me: If we stand together, if we fight together, one day soon we will know more joy than grief,” she said “Our children will feel just as safe surrounded by the American flag as they do when surrounded by Pride flags. That one day our children won’t just dream about the promise of freedom–they will have it.”
“The question is not whether or not we can win. The question is what are we willing to do. Are you willing to choose hope, to choose love, to choose courage, to choose joy,” she added.
U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Cory Booker
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer spoke about the resilience of this country and the LGBTQ+ community, while U.S. Senator Cory Booker spoke about the importance of this moment in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and the future of our country.
To learn more about the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), check out its official website, and follow its Instagram page.
