It was a night of glamour, political passion, and a powerful reminder that LGBTQ+ equality is not something we can take for granted. On Saturday, October 10, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) brought its annual Seattle Dinner to the elegant Sanctuary at Lotte Hotel Seattle, where community leaders, activists, allies, and supporters gathered for an evening that was equal parts celebration and call to action. With the November midterm elections just weeks away, the message was clear: Our rights are under attack, and now is not the time to sit on the sidelines.
The evening began with a lively reception before guests settled in for dinner, speeches, and fundraising. The event raised an impressive $30,000 specifically to fight anti-trans ballot measures, including Initiatives 638 and 001, and support the No Hate in Washington State campaign. A silent auction, live auction, and additional appeals for donations also helped support HRC’s ongoing advocacy efforts. And while the evening certainly had its share of fashionable guests, the real statement pieces were the powerful words delivered from the stage.
U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) delivered a passionate keynote address celebrating Washington’s leadership in LGBTQ+ protections while warning that those hard-fought victories remain vulnerable.
“That is who we are here in Washington State. And I am here to say, we will not give that up. Not here, not in Congress, or not across the country,” Jayapal declared to an enthusiastic audience.
Jayapal, who is the mother of a transgender child, spoke personally about the emotional toll of witnessing attacks on the LGBTQ+ community in Congress. She highlighted Washington’s nondiscrimination protections, inclusive education policies, and protections for gender-affirming care while emphasizing the importance of defending transgender youth.
“One person’s freedom to be who they fully are is never a threat to anyone else’s freedom,” she reminded the audience.
Jayapal also announced that her leadership PAC was contributing $5,000 to the campaign opposing the initiatives, with another $5,000 pledged during the evening’s fundraising appeal. She challenged attendees to match that commitment and urged volunteers to get involved in phone banking, door knocking, and voter outreach.
Perhaps one of her strongest messages came when she challenged members of her own Democratic Party who have been reluctant to stand firmly behind marginalized communities. Jayapal argued that political victories come from standing together, not abandoning those who need protection most.
HRC President and Executive Director Kelley Robinson, the first Black queer woman to lead the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, delivered an equally moving address that blended personal memories, history, and a fierce determination to protect the community’s future.
Robinson shared a particularly touching Seattle connection, recalling that the Emerald City was where she first met her partner, Becky. She also paid tribute to Seattle’s own Shelly Brothers, whose pioneering lesbian bar, the Wildrose, helped create spaces where LGBTQ+ people could find community, connection, and even love.
“When Shelly Brothers opened the Wildrose decades ago, I don’t think that she knew she was setting the stage for my love and so many others,” Robinson reflected.
She also referenced icons ranging from Dolly Parton to Gloria Steinem, reminding the audience that history is often made by people who may not realize the lasting impact of their actions.
Robinson warned that LGBTQ+ Americans are once again fighting to preserve rights that many believed were permanently secured. Drawing parallels to the civil rights movement, Stonewall, and the early AIDS crisis, she urged the audience to recognize the importance of this moment.
“This is a time to behave like one day we too will be somebody’s ancestors,” she told the crowd, challenging everyone to contribute their time, resources, and hearts to the movement.
And in one of the evening’s most memorable declarations, Robinson reminded the audience that previous generations fought without knowing whether they would ever experience the freedoms they sought.
“The difference between now and then is that we have tasted freedom and I’m not willing to let it go.”
Of course, an HRC dinner wouldn’t be complete without a little fashion, fabulousness, and familiar faces. At my table was Seattle Gay News Publisher Renee Raketty, looking every bit the goddess in an original creation by Christina Wells. Joining us was SGN Managing Editor Madison Jones, along with Kwanchai founder Jonathan Mathews, who looked particularly sharp in a teal corduroy suit provided by The Finerie Seattle. Let’s just say that between Renee’s couture and Jonathan’s colorful ensemble, our table was giving the runway some serious competition!
But beneath the beautiful setting, fashionable guests, and celebratory atmosphere was a sense of urgency. This wasn’t simply another fundraising dinner or an opportunity to dress up and reconnect with friends. It was a reminder that the LGBTQ+ movement has always been about showing up for one another, particularly when the stakes are highest.
As the evening came to a close, I couldn’t help but think about how fortunate we are to live in a state that has been a leader in LGBTQ+ equality, and how quickly that progress could be threatened if we become complacent. Jayapal and Robinson delivered different speeches, but their messages came together beautifully: Our community has fought too hard, lost too much, and accomplished too much to surrender now.
The evening may have raised $30,000, but the real measure of its success will be what happens next — at the ballot box, in our neighborhoods, and in the continued fight for equality.
After all, fabulous clothes can make an entrance, but standing up for our community is what makes history.
For more information about the Human Rights Campaign, visit hrc.org.
