HRC Executive Director Joe Solmonese with Retired Marine Sergeant Eric Alva in a photo taken on December 15, 2010, the day when the House of Representatives voted to dismantle Don't Ask, Don't Tell. (Photo courtesy Eric Alva.)

Departing HRC leader in San Antonio for gala dinner
QSanAntonio.com, October 7, 2011

One special guest who will be in town next week for the HRC San Antonio Gala Dinner & Silent Auction is HRC Executive Director Joe Solmonese who made news last August when he announced that he would be stepping down from his position after his contract expires next spring.

"This will be one of the final galas that Joe will attend and we're proud to have him here to help honor our awardees: actor John Benjamin Hickey Dr. Paul Boskind and the Texas Gay Rodeo Association," said local HRC Governor Darrell Parsons. (See related story links below.)

Retired Marine Sergeant Eric Alva will introduce Solmonese when he addresses the gala on October 15 at the Grand Hyatt.

"Joe Solmonese is an outstanding leader," said Anne Fay co-chair of the Foundation Board of Directors when Solmonese announced his departure. "While we will miss his extraordinary leadership, we enter this next phase, thanks to Joe, in the best place the organization has ever been. Not only has our community secured historic victories, but our membership is larger and more active than at any time in our history, and our financial health is secure even in these difficult economic times."

"From the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell', to the recent passage of marriage equality in New York, Joe has made sure that HRC is an effective and strategic force for positive change," said Tim Downing, co-chair of the HRC board. "Over the course of his tenure, he's set the tone for delivering real reform that matters in peoples' everyday lives."

According to HRC, Solmonese's leadership has taken the organization from 750,000 members and supporters to more than 1,000,000. Additionally, he oversaw significant expansion of HRC's public education and outreach programs including the launch of the Healthcare Equality index, a more robust Religion and Faith Program and wider reach and success of the Corporate Equality Index.

When Solmonese began at HRC in 2005, the organization was fighting the Federal Marriage Amendment. Today, marriage equality is a reality in six states and the District of Columbia with more within sight.

Under Solmonese's leadership HRC saw the passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' and numerous administrative changes from gender identity non-discrimination policies for federal workers to reversing the HIV travel ban to ensuring equal visitation rights for same-sex partners in federally funded hospitals.

The Human Rights Campaign San Antonio Gala and Silent Auction. Saturday, October 15, 2011 at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio, 600 Market Street. Click here to purchase tickets. For more information please contact Elizabeth Schleigh at 210-867-8325 or email eschleigh13@yahoo.com.

Shavonne Conroy is entertainer for HRC gala
QSanAntonio.com, September 15, 2011
Guests at this year's HRC Gala Dinner and Silent Auction on October 15 will be entertained by Shavonne Conroy, an actress and singer who has headlined at New York concert venues, off-Broadway theater, and television.

Tony Award winning actor to be honored at HRC Gala
QSanAntonio.com, September 3, 2011
John Benjamin Hickey, the out gay actor who this year won the Tony Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Play for his role in "The Normal Heart" will be in San Antonio on October 15 to receive the Visibility Award from the Human Rights Campaign at their gala dinner.

Dr. Paul Boskind to be honored by HRC
QSanAntonio.com, July 9, 2011
The local chapter of the Human Rights Campaign announced this week that they will honor Dr. Paul Boskind with the Chuck Jordan Award for lifetime advocacy at their Gala Dinner and Silent Auction on October 15 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.

Photos: TGRA named HRC Community Service awardee
Animoto.com, September 29, 2011
The San Antonio Chapter of the Texas Gay Rodeo Association has been chosen to receive the Community Service award from the Human Rights Campaign at their gala dinner on October 15 at the Grand Hyatt. In honor of the occasion TGRA compiled a photo essay of the group.