Actress Jane Lynch to deliver keynote at 2006 HRC Carolinas Dinner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 12, 2005

CONTACT: Bert Woodard, 2006 HRC Carolinas Dinner Public Relations
Chairman, 704-332-9060

Actress Jane Lynch to deliver keynote address at 11th-Annual HRC
Carolinas Dinner on Feb. 25

Charlotte, N.C. (December 12, 2005) – Actress Jane Lynch will
deliver the keynote address at the Human Rights Campaign's 11th-
Annual Carolinas Dinner on Saturday, February 25 at the Charlotte
Convention Center.

Lynch will appear in the upcoming film, "High, Wide and Handsome,"
which was filmed in the Charlotte region. She is also known through
her role as Joyce Wishnea on the popular Showtime series, "The L
Word," which premier's its second season in February.

Lynch, who got her professional acting start at The Second City in
Chicago, has appeared in such films as "The 40 Year Old
Virgin," "Lemony Snickets," "Sleepover, Surviving Eden," "The
Californians," "A Mighty Wind," and "Best In Show." On television,
she's been a series regular on ABC's "MD'S," has had recurring roles
on "Blind Justice," "Two And A Half Men," "Arrested
Development," "Seventh Heaven," "Felicity," "Judging Amy," and "The
West Wing," and has guest starred on "Veronica Mars," "Las
Vegas," "Monk," "Dead Zone," "Boston Public," "The X
Files," "Titus," "Arli$$," "The Division," "Popular," and "The
Gilmore Girls."

"As with last year's speaker, (actor) Robert Gant, we are thrilled
to be able to welcome one of Hollywood's outstanding actors to
Charlotte for the HRC Carolinas Dinner," said Jennifer Garner, co-
chair of the 2006 HRC Carolinas Dinner. "Jane Lynch not only excels
with her acting craft, she also works tirelessly for equal rights
for all Americans. The 1,400-plus people in attendance at the 2006
dinner will be inspired by her message."

Lynch and Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese will address
the audience about their role in the fight for equal rights for
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and how far
LGBT people have come.

HRC hosts annual dinners throughout the country as fund-raisers to
support its many efforts to achieve the organizational mission "to
build an America where LGBT families and individuals can be open,
honest and safe at work, at home and in the community."

The Westin Charlotte will serve as host hotel during the 2006 HRC
Carolinas Dinner weekend. The Carolinas Dinner was held in
Greensboro (1996-1997) and the Raleigh-Durham area (1998-2002)
before moving to a successful two-year run at The Grandover Resort
in Greensboro in 2003 and 2004. Last year's dinner in Charlotte
attracted a record attendance of more than 1,300, earning it HRC
National Dinner of the Year distinction. This year, HRC Carolinas
officials are expecting an attendance of more than 1,400.

The Human Rights Campaign, the largest national LGBT advocacy
organization, effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign
support to fair-minded candidates, and works to educate the public
on a wide array of topics affecting LGBT Americans, including
workplace, family, discrimination and health issues. In addition,
the HRC Foundation, an HRC-affiliated organization, engages in
extensive research and provides education and programming.

Founded in 1980, HRC currently has more than 650,000 members,
including more than 18,000 in North and South Carolina. Among the
organization's 28 regional steering committees throughout the
country, the Carolinas is the only true multi-state steering
committee and membership base. Examples of other steering committees
include Dallas, Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City.

Tickets for the 2006 HRC Carolinas Dinner are priced at $175 per
person (the price increases to $195 after Wed., Feb. 9, 2006). The
cost of the ticket also includes a one-year membership in HRC and a
subscription to the quarterly HRC magazine. Premium tables (in a
preferred location) are priced at $2,500 for 10 seats (limited
availability). The event has sold out for the past several years.

Additional information can be found on the 2006 HRC Carolinas Dinner
Website at www.hrccarolinas.org, including ticket purchases,
becoming a 2006 Carolinas Dinner Table Captain, donating a Silent
Auction item, volunteering, and learning about corporate sponsorship
opportunities,dinner program advertising and City Host pre-dinner
and post-dinner events in Charlotte.

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