The Open Door Fund's first fundraising gala was held in 1996. The featured speakers at the annual fundraising event represent an amazing and diverse group of inspiring changemakers:
2017
Kate KendellKate Kendell leads the National Center for Lesbian Rights, a national organization committed to advancing civil and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their famillies through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education. |
2016
Dave MontezAs a former officer with GLAAD and with the Gill Foundation, he was instrumental in many advocacy campaigns to achieve equity and policy changes. Currently, he is Executive Director of One Colorado and One Colorado Education Fund where he continues his advocacy work. |
2015
Ash BeckhamA bold, dynamic presenter who speaks about empathy, respect, and the power of having real conversations. |
2014 Kate ClintonHumorist and entertainer extraordinaire. |
2013 Dustin Lance BlackPassionate social activist and 2009 Academy Award Winning screenwriter for Milk, the story of the late civil rights activist Harvey Milk. |
2012 Dr. Eliza ByardExecutive Director of Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Network (GLSEN) |
2011 Megan KennedyCo-director and Producer of the award-winning documentary "Put This On The Map" |
2010 Dan ChoiWest Point Graduate, Challenger of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" |
2009 Rea CareyExecutive Director of the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, 2008- |
2007 Dan SavageNationally syndicated sex-advice columnist |
2006 Barney FrankU.S. Congressman from Massachusetts |
2005 Jimmy CreechPresident of the Board of Directors of Soulforce, Inc. |
2003 Holly HughesAcclaimed lesbian feminist performance artist, Obie award-winning playwright and one of the "NEA Four" |
2002
Photo courtesy Deirdre McCloskeyDistinguished Professor of Economics, History and English University of Illinois at Chicago |
2001
Lorri L. JeanExecutive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, 2001 - 2003 http://www.ngltf.org/ |
2000 Kevin JenningsFounder and First Executive Director, Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network http://www.glsen.org/ |
1999 Allan D. Gilmour
Vice Chairman and C.F.O. Ford Motor Company |
1998
Leslie DurginBoulder Mayor 1990 - 1997 |
1997
Jean Dubofsky, Esq.Colorado Supreme Court Justice, 1979 - 1987; presented argument to U.S. Supreme Court which overturned Amendment 2, Romer v. Evans, 1995 |
1996
Nancy McDonaldNational President, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, 1996 - 1998 http://www.pflag.org/ |
