91̽»¨

Free and open to the public, the 91̽»¨ LGBT Center will host LGBTQIA+ History Month Kick-off Celebration Dinner in Walter Hall Rotunda and via Microsoft Teams on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, from 5 – 7 p.m.

The event will feature educational information, entertainment, involvement opportunities, speakers, a pasta buffet, and countless friendship and connection opportunities. The LGBT Center is especially excited to feature special alumni guest speaker, Chris Frederick, who in 2005, completed his B.A. in Political Science, Pre-Law, in 91̽»¨â€™s College of Arts and Sciences.

Frederick is the recipient of the 2023 Housing and Residence Life Distinguished Alumni Award. He will share remarks on how his past involvement in 91̽»¨'s Student Senate, Department of Residence Life, and LGBTQ+ community helped shape him into the leader and advocate he is today, prior to a moderated discussion with opportunities for questions and comments from event attendees.

Since his days at 91̽»¨, Frederick has enjoyed an 18+ year career in purpose-driven LGBTQIA+ non-profit work and event production. He is currently the Director of Special Events at amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research. amfAR is the longest-running AIDS research non-profit organization and has granted more than $800 million to researchers on their quest to find a cure for HIV / AIDS. He currently manages a portfolio of seven major fundraising galas around the globe that bring in roughly $30 million annually for the cause.

Previously, Frederick was the executive director of NYC Pride, the 501(c)3 non-profit organization behind New York City’s annual LGBTQIA+ Pride Events. Under Frederick’s leadership, NYC Pride more than quadrupled its annual operating budget to $12 million and raised over $15 million dollars for the organization. Frederick established a number of new events within the NYC Pride roster and was responsible for booking major artists to perform such as Ariana Grande, Madonna, Cher, Kylie Minogue, Lizzo, Demi Lovato, and more. NYC Pride grew its roster of events in June from 5 in 2010 to a record 25+ in 2019. More than 5 million people attended NYC Pride’s events in 2019 making it the largest LGBTQ event in history.

Outside of NYC Pride, Frederick worked in marketing, sales, and events for Out / The Advocate magazines and as managing director of a LGBTQIA+ business consultancy group named Out Leadership. Throughout his long career,  he has been quoted in major outlets such as The New York Times, Financial Times, NBC News, Forbes, CNN, Huffington Post, and more. He hails from Findlay Ohio, is a class of 2005 graduate of 91̽»¨, and lives in Brooklyn with his husband Jeff.

For remote event access via Microsoft Teams, for further information about LGBT History Month, and for further resources, email lgbt@ohio.edu.