Awards

The Equality Award rewards service, commitment and actions that honor the mission of HRC, fighting for full equality for all GLBT people. This award honors a spirit of both field work on the ground in the community as well as resource commitments such as business relationships, financial assistance and fundraising for HRC and other GLBT organizations.

Keith Merrill

The son of an army pilot, Keith Merrill grew up an army brat, clocking time in Alaska, Virginia, Germany, the Netherlands, and Louisiana, before calling Tennessee home in 1978. Parlaying his formal education in civil engineering and business experience as the owner of a landscape company into a real estate career so successful that he’s been named Nashville Scene’s Best Realtor three times and received the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Greater Nashville Association of Realtors, Keith is a deeply involved community member who lends his time, passion, voice, and fundraising prowess to a broad range of causes–but none closer to his heart than the issues facing the LGBT community.

When first introduced to the Human Rights Campaign, Keith attended Equality Dinners as a “plus one,” or as he likes to say, “like Barbara Bush—just tell me when to be there and I’ll pack my pearls!” Keith very rapidly came to understand the vital importance of the role of HRC in the LGBT community, and in his own life, and began tirelessly advocating on its behalf. Keith has held a seat on the HRC Board of Governors, is a founding Nashville Federal Club member, a founding Co-Chair of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s Brooks Fund, has chaired the HRC Silent Auction, the HRC Federal Club, and numerous signature HRC Equality Dinners, raising the profile of the organization exponentially by famously selling out to capacity months in advance and growing attendance to over 600! Keith introduced to HRC the first-ever straight allies to serve on the Nashville HRC Board, the first-ever straight ally to co-chair a Nashville HRC Equality Dinner, and Emmylou Harris, who went on to perform at the 2003 HRC Dinner, join the Federal Club, and donate a song to the HRC album Love Rocks.

In addition to his work for HRC, Keith has served on the Executive Boards of PFLAG Nashville, Lesbian and Gay Coalition for Justice (the forerunner to TEP and HRC Nashville), as well as the Hillsboro-West End, Belmont-Hillsboro, and Woodland in Waverly Neighborhood Associations. Keith is active politically and routinely opens his home to the Nashville community, hosting fundraisers for presidential, congressional, mayoral, and council candidates, as well as for causes dear to him: Nashville Cares, Nashville Humane Society, Second Harvest Food Bank, The Ark, Magdalene House, Franklin Brooks Fund, Habitat for Humanity, Eakin Elementary Arts Program, and West End Middle School Band Program.

Keith lives in Nashville with the loves of his life—Lucy and Oski, a pair of incomparable yellow labs; enjoys sailing, skiing, and hiking; and steals time every chance he gets with his other great love—his camp in the Adirondacks.

The Community Award honors community service, community organizing and leadership in the trenches of our community and the greater fairness-minded community. It is a salute to grass roots service and great accomplishments within our community.

Diane Neighbors

Diane Neighbors has long been a respected ally for the Human Rights Campaign. Neighbors has been actively involved in the community for more than 30 years. Serving on numerous boards and commissions, she has made a significant impact on quality of life issues at both the local and state levels. Her passion and commitment are evident in her sustained efforts to make positive changes that affect the daily lives of young and old.
When she and her husband Steve moved to east Nashville in the early 1980’s, they encountered a variety of issues including juvenile crime, drugs, and codes violations. Working with others and city officials the small neighborhood group began the revitalization of Lockeland Springs.

Diane’s work in the community eventually led her to the political arena and Neighbors was elected as a Council Member At Large in 2003. In 2007 she was elected the first female Vice Mayor of Metropolitan Nashville and was re-elected in 2011 for a second term.