Giving Back to HRC

By my friend, Tina Davis

This was not a time when I went out dressed as Tina, but I wanted to tell you how proud I felt to volunteer at the 2025 Human Rights Campaign New England Dinner, held in Boston, MA on March 1, 2025. Kandi has told you about her times at a similar dinner in Cleveland, and this event was just as meaningful.

I had signed up under my male name and always planned to go in male mode. I was feeling sick all week but was determined to do my part for this fundraiser. I drove into the South End of Boston and found the right parking lot for the venue. When I got upstairs to the volunteer room, several others were waiting for our shift to start. We would be manning registration, scanning phone codes, monitoring the auction items, and direction people to photo booths, restrooms, and the main dining area. 

I was wearing a mask as I was still slightly ill and losing my voice, so I volunteered to be at the silent auction tables to assist people with learning about the items and how to bid on them. I was wearing a transgender flag pin on my blazer as a show of support. We realized that it was quite dark around the tables, so we used our phone flashlights to illuminate the items for people to examine. We also explained that once a bid on any item was placed, they would have access to the website for all auction items and could bid and be notified of any new bids on their items.

The crowd was, for the most part, well dressed, with women wearing gowns and some cocktail dresses, most of them in heels. I was jealous of many outfits! There were a few sisters present, looking lovely, but I did not interact with them. When the guests were invited to their dinner tables, we had a break and ate our dinner in the upstairs volunteer room.

The HRC President, Kelley Robinson, gave a wonderful speech punctuated with much cheering and applause from the crowd. She was so passionate about the work that HRC does for all LGBTQ+ people. She was followed by a mom of a trans girl (now a 19-year old adult) who benefitted from the support that HRC provided. She exhorted the guests to start or increase their financial support as a way to give back to the organization.

We were asked to assist with the fundraising portion of the event, holding glow sticks and collecting any physical pledge cards filled out. Winding my way through the tables, I saw my Congressional Representative and the MA Lt. Governor among the VIPs.

Once we finished the collection, my shift was over for the night. I collected my coat and parking validation, said good night to the other volunteers and our coordinator, and drove home. I had a good time, only took this one photo of the stage, and promised to be available for future events in and around Boston. We’ll see if I feel comfortable enough to attend as Tina at some point.