Grammy Award-Winning Singer & Songwriter Estelle to Perform at HRC Los Angeles Gala

Lee Daniels, Ilene Chaiken, Jussie Smollett, Gabourey Sidibe, Serayah McNeill, Kaitlin Doubleday, Ta’Rhonda Jones, and Bryshere Gray will represent ‘Empire’ which is being honored with the HRC Equality Award; Ryan Murphy to Present HRC Visibility Award to ‘The Hunger Games’ producer Nina Jacobson

WASHINGTON – Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, announced that Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Estelle will perform at the 2016 HRC Los Angeles Gala this Saturday. Acclaimed television sensation “Empire” will be honored with the HRC Equality Award and will be represented by Lee Daniels, Ilene Chaiken, Jussie Smollett, Gabourey Sidibe, Serayah McNeill, Kaitlin Doubleday, Ta’Rhonda Jones, and Bryshere Gray. Ryan Murphy will present the HRC Visibility Award to Nina Jacobson – whose work includes the blockbuster hit “The Hunger Games” and FX’s “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.”

“Estelle is an incredibly talented musician who is inspirational both on and off the stage,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “She’s a strong ally to the LGBT community, and we’re thrilled to have her join us this year at HRC’s Los Angeles Gala.

Estelle has received widespread critical acclaim and numerous awards and accolades, including a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for “American Boy” with Kanye West, two Brit Award nominations, three MOBO Awards, and a World Music Award. She refuses to let barriers hold her back, and relates to the LGBT community through many of the experiences she’s faced personally in life. According to one interview, “She feels her own encounters with harsh judgment have provided a special understanding of similar experiences faced by the LGBT community…and anyone who has ‘been told they can’t.’”

Additional special guests include Maria Bello, Dan Bucatinsky, Cheryl Burke, Candis Cayne, Jason Collins, Guillermo Diaz, Billy Eichner, Cheyenne Jackson, Pauley Perrette, Dana Goldberg, DJ Young 1, Jim Obergefell, Bradley Bredeweg, Charlie Carver, Betty DeGeneres, Jonathan del Arco, Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo, Alec Mapa, Peter Paige, Jonathan Slavin, Wrabel, Frank Valentini, Harry Shum Jr, Matthew Daddario, Daniel Franzese, Joanna Johnson, Max Mutchnick and Erik Hyman, Raymond Braun, Ingrid Nilsen, Joey Graceffa, Kingsley, Carrie Rad, Max Emerson, Todrick Hall, Miles Jai, Stephanie Frosch, Erika Jayne, Bookeem Woodbine, event co-chairs Gwen Baba, Chris Boone, and Travis Pham, plus many more.

The event is expected to draw over 1,000 guests, and will be held this Saturday, March 19, 2016, at the JW Marriott LA Live. Tickets and more information are available at www.hrcladinner.com/

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. HRC envisions a world where LGBT people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.