Featuring
Renee O'Connor - Ally for Equality Award
Renée O’Connor is an actress, director, producer, and visual artist best known for her role as Gabrielle on Xena: Warrior Princess (1996–2001). She recently appeared on HBO’s Hacks and has credits including The Adventures of Huck Finn, Hercules and the Lost Kingdom, and Boogeyman 2. O’Connor began her career at 17 and has since built a diverse body of work across film, television, and stage. She is the founder and artistic director of House of Bards Theatre Company in Los Angeles, where she produces immersive theater. A longtime supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, she champions inclusive storytelling and representation through her work. An accomplished visual artist, her work has been exhibited in galleries and supports charitable causes.
Brandon Wolf - HRC National Press Secretary
Brandon Wolf is a nationally recognized advocate for LGBTQ+ civil rights and gun safety and a survivor of the 2016 shooting at Orlando’s Pulse Nightclub. He is a frequent face on MSNBC and CNN, and an opinion contributor in Oprah Daily, Newsweek, USA Today, and others. Brandon has graced the cover of Dazed Magazine and LGBTQ publications nationwide, having been named one of the Logo TV’s 30 LGBTQ Changemakers, Huffington Post’s 30 LGBTQ Influencers under 30 and Out Magazine’s 100 Most Influential LGBTQ People. He was a national surrogate for Senator Elizabeth Warren’s Presidential Campaign and an advisory committee member for President Biden’s General Election bid. In 2019, he became the first survivor of the Pulse tragedy to testify before Congress and was returned in 2022 to testify on the rise of anti-LGBTQ hate violence before the House Oversight Committee. Brandon is a co-founder of The Dru Project, a nonprofit organization that empowers safe spaces in schools for LGBTQ youth, and currently serves as National Press Secretary for the Human Rights Campaign. His debut memoir, “A Place for Us”, was released in July 2023 and became an instant bestseller.
The Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus - Partner Award
Founded in 1975, the Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus stands as the oldest civil rights organization in the South dedicated to advancing equality for the LGBTQ+ community. For more than five decades, the Caucus has shaped Houston’s political landscape through advocacy, endorsements, and coalition building that have empowered countless candidates and driven meaningful policy change. Its unwavering commitment to representation and justice has made it a cornerstone of Houston’s progress toward fairness and inclusion—ensuring that LGBTQ+ voices are not only heard but have the power to lead.
Lisa Madry - Community Award
A dedicated champion for health equity and social justice, Houston’s own Lisa Madry is a transformative leader with over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. As the Founder and Principal of Rare Bird Advisors, Lisa provides strategic guidance for community development and environmental advocacy. A volunteer force within the human rights movement, she lent years of expertise to the National Board of Governors for the Human Rights Campaign.
Schedule of Events
May 9, 2026
Welcome Reception: 5:00 pm
Dinner & Stage Program: 6:30 pm
Take Advantage of Our Small Group Discount!
A night of advocacy and celebration is best spent with others- Enjoy a special discounted ticket when you buy 3 or more!
Host Hotel: Marriott Marquis Houston
Reserve your room at the venue & official host hotel. Special rates are available for event attendees:
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Corporate Brochure!
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Table Captains invite friends, family and colleagues to sit with them at a table of 10 seats.
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Be part of the dedicated committee that makes the HRC Houston Dinner possible or volunteer to help on the night of the event.
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