The 11th annual Nashville Human Rights Campaign Equality Dinner will be held on Saturday, March 18, 2006, at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel.

Honoring the hard work of the Tennessee Lesbian and Gay community, as well as its supporters, this event has become not only the highest-profile fund-raiser for the Human Rights Campaign in the Volunteer State, but one of the most anticipated social events in Nashville. This year's event will begin with cocktails and a silent auction at 6 p.m. and will be followed by dinner and the program beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The 2006 theme for The Equality Dinner is “Elevate,” celebrating year 11 of the Nashville dinner. Co-Chairs for the silent auction and dinner event are Jenn Garrett, Billy Leslie and Doug Huffines. The speaker, musical guest and honorees will be announced at a later date.

Tickets to the auction and dinner are $175 per person and are on sale through the event Web site at www.theequalitydinner.com.

In place of the December membership meetings, the Nashville HRC chapter will host a membership mixer on Thursday, December 8, 2005 , from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at Tribe.

“This is a chance for local members of HRC to come together to network and to celebrate the holidays,” said HRC Membership Co-Chair John Ogg.

“We know everyone is so busy at this time of year, so instead of our typical monthly educational meeting, we thought we would offer this opportunity for members of HRC and of our community to come together in a casual, social atmosphere,” said HRC Membership Co-Chair Pam Wheeler.

The event is free to HRC members and potential members. No reservation is required to attend. Light refreshments will be provided, along with a cash bar.

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is the largest national lesbian and gay political organization in the United States .