Today, April 17th, TIME named Human Rights Campaign President, Kelley Robinson, to the 2024 TIME100, its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. The full list and related tributes appear in the April 29, 2024 issue of TIME, available on newsstands on Friday, April 19, and now at time.com/time100. The list recognizes the impact, innovation, and achievement of the world’s most influential individuals. Under her leadership, the Human Rights Campaign declared a national state of emergency for LGBTQ+ Americans and won key legislative and electoral fights. President Kelley Robinson is a trailblazing advocate and leader in the fight for human rights—she is the first Black, queer woman to hold the position of HRC President, leading the largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization in the United States.
Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson released the following statement:
“This recognition is humbling beyond words. Being honored alongside the world’s most influential voices is something I never dreamed of growing up young Black and queer on the Southside of Chicago. At a young age, I saw firsthand the devastating impact of discrimination and bigotry against the LGBTQ+ community. This honor reminds me of the countless brave individuals who fought tooth and nail to pave the way for progress. As president of the Human Rights Campaign, I carry the stories and struggles of social justice warriors who came before me – their courage in the face of adversity and their refusal to be silenced by hatred.
“We’ve come a long way, but the fight is far from over as we face a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ Americans. The challenges before us are immense, and the battle for freedom and liberation rages on. At HRC, we feel the weight of this responsibility every single day, knowing that lives hang in the balance and that futures are at stake. This recognition is bigger than me. It’s about the power of community. It’s about resilience. It’s about our community’s undying belief that we can build a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow for everyone.”
• White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, who is the first Black, queer woman to serve in the role, released the following statement in response:
“I am deeply proud of my friend and history-maker, Kelley Robinson. As a proud Black queer immigrant woman, I am grateful to have Kelley leading the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization. We are seeing unprecedented attacks on the LGBTQ+ community across the country and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Kelley’s approach has breathed new life into the Human Rights Campaign and our broader LGBTQ+ community, mobilizing and inspiring people to turn their pain and grief into action. And in doing so, Kelley serves as a mentor and influential force upon a new generation of grassroots activists and leaders.”
• Cecile Richards, Former President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America from 2006-2018, released the following statement:
“As president of Planned Parenthood, there was nothing better than spending time with the young organizers whose energy and purpose drove so much of our work – and nobody embodied that spirit more fiercely than Kelley Robinson.
“Today, that spark has turned into a fire fueling a movement. Now as Human Rights Campaign President, Kelley is at the helm of the largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization in the country, bringing people together across communities and identities to build power. At this pivotal moment in history, there is no I’d rather be cheering on as she stands up to the forces trying to erode our rights and connects us in the shared struggle for LGBTQ+ equality, reproductive freedom, and racial justice.
“All these years later, I love seeing a rising generation of organizers drawing inspiration from Kelley, their own megaphones in hand, learning from the best.”
• Imara Jones, transgender activist and founder and CEO of TransLash Media, released the following statement:
“As a 2023 Time100 Honoree, I congratulate Kelley. I first connected with her through my leadership at Translash. In Kelley I found a troublemaker and co-conspirator personally committed to shifting the momentum toward justice. In her work, Kelley Robinson seeks to help make that change become a reality. Everyone must show up for those at the margins now because what happens at the margins won’t stay there. Kelley knows this at her core and works tirelessly—day in and day out—with this purpose.”
With over 15 years of experience, Robinson has spearheaded numerous successful campaigns for LGBTQ+, racial, and gender equity. Under her leadership, HRC declared a national State of Emergency, responding to a concerning surge in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. Her efforts have secured significant political victories, countering anti-transgender rhetoric and mobilizing “Equality Voters” to historic wins in 2023.
To date, Robinson’s presidency has witnessed landmark legislative achievements, including the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act and the defeat of numerous anti-LGBTQ+ amendments in the U.S. House. Previously serving as the Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, she advanced reproductive justice. Robinson is currently a Senior Fellow at the Kettering Foundation, where her leadership underscores the vital importance of centering LGBTQ+ rights in the struggle for democracy.
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.
>>> Read Kelley’s Hotspots Interview:
>>> See full list of 2024 TIME 100 Most Influential People
https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2024/
