White House Correspondents’ weekend kicks off with celebration of LGBTQ community

Leaders in politics, technology and media celebrated the beginning of the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner weekend with the ninth annual “Bytes & Bylines” reception Thursday evening in Washington. 

The event, held at the Irish ambassador’s residence, recognizes strides made in advancing LGBTQ rights in the U.S. This year’s celebration was co-hosted by Susanna Quinn, Eric Kuhn, Stephanie Cutler, Sarah Kate Ellis, Adrienne Elrod, Karen Finney and Adam Rathe. 

Sponsored by GLAAD, Precision Strategies and Town & Country, the evening welcomed several notable guests, including actor Wilson Cruz and former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci and his wife, Christine Grady. 

Irish Ambassador to the U.S. Geraldine Byrne Nason said she was glad to open her doors to attendees in the spirit of accelerating acceptance for LGBTQ people and issues. In 2015, Ireland became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage by popular vote. 

Guests spent the evening mingling on the residence’s grounds, which were lit with the colors of the rainbow.