HRC Honors Colman Domingo & Trace Lysette

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, brought together more than 1,000 LGBTQ advocates and supporters from across the country for its annual Greater New York Dinner. Actors Colman Domingo and Trace Lysette were honored for their work and positive representation in film and TV.

Colman Domingo (Rustin), the Oscar-nominated and Emmy Award-winning actor, was awarded HRC’s Equality Award for his transformative work showcasing stories of being both Black and queer. “That was the most important thing. That’s the thing I learned from Bayard, and I take with me always,” Domingo shared with the audience. “That even with all these wonderful rooms that I’m in, and being acknowledged for my work, which honors and highlights Bayard’s work, I know the most important thing is to get back to work.” https://youtu.be/EXU-q1vOTus?si=MtDeHD9aDwHOFedm Trace Lysette, star of the Amazon series Transparent and critically acclaimed film Monica, was awarded HRC’s Trailblazer Award for her influential expansion of transgender visibility on and off the screen. “Trailblazing, my friends, is no stroll in the park,” said Lysette in accepting the honor. “It’s a journey that demands every ounce of courage and resilience one can muster.”

“I’m reminded that being a trailblazer and being a woman of transexual experience means confronting challenges head-on, dismantling stereotypes, and persisting when the road ahead seems impossibly steep with no map to guide you,” Lysette added. “Here’s to hope, to the tireless dreamers and doers who envision a world where authenticity is celebrated, where diversity is not just a box to be checked, but a fundamental aspect of storytelling.” https://youtu.be/x9k8Ay85vdI?si=hB52_nQIybKFKLiS Additionally, Jeff Gennette, Macy’s Inc. Chairman & CEO, was honored with HRC’s Corporate Visibility Award for his unwavering dedication to bolstering LGBTQ+ inclusivity in business. Other special guests included Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Queer as Folk actor Johnny Sibilly and comedian Dana Goldberg. 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.