2025 Legacy Society Brunch

Ben Klein (he/him)

Senior Director of Litigation and HIV Law

As a GLAD Law attorney since 1994, Ben has been a pivotal figure in litigating groundbreaking cases across GLAD Law’s mission areas. Notably, his work in HIV litigation challenged discrimination, leading to the 1998 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Bragdon v. Abbott, establishing nationwide protection against discrimination for people with HIV under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

In the realm of sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination, Ben played a key role in landmark cases such as Kerrigan & Mock v. Department of Public Health (2008) and O’Donnabhain v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue (2010). His contributions extend to expanding access to PrEP, securing the rights of transgender students, facilitating the placement of transgender women in women’s prisons, and challenging discrimination in religiously-affiliated institutions.

Debbie Gruber (she/her)

Singing Pianist

Debbie attended The University of Massachusetts/Amherst,  with a Bachelor of Music Education Degree. She then received her Master of Music Degree in from Western Michigan University where she was a Lecturer in Jazz Appreciation and an Assistant Conductor of Gold Company II, a 24-voice award-winning vocal jazz ensemble.

Debbie has sung with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus performing at Carnegie Hall and Symphony Hall under Seiji Ozawa. She has also performed at many private events in New England and has performed regularly at The Ritz-Carlton, Seasons 52, Cafe Escadrille and currently at Goodnight Johnny’s Music Bar. One of her greatest joys is leading Broadway SingAlongs!