Equality Forum will be held in Philadelphia April 28-May 4. The seven-day symposium and festival, formerly known as PrideFest America, is the world’s largest and most comprehensive program about the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities, featuring 76 programs and social events by 95 regional, national and international gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender organizations.
“Equality Forum reflects an international GLBT civil rights movement,” said Malcolm Lazin, founder and executive director. Featured social events include SwimFest 2003 with 125 competitors from the United States and Germany; nine parties; a photo exhibit of more than 300 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth; a German cabaret; a barbecue; and SundayOut, the region’s largest block party.
Daily highlights include:
“Ten Years in the Trenches: A Decade of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’” in collaboration with Service Members Legal Defense Network, April 28.- An international healthcare panel and a national religious colloquy, both on April 29.
- “Coalition Activism to Legislative Victory” and an international family values panel moderated by Evan Wolfson, executive director of the Freedom to Marry Project, both on April 30.
- An international media panel, in collaboration with the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association; and “From Pink Triangle to Equality,” in collaboration with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, both on May 1.
- An international gay and lesbian leaders symposium, aired live on WHYY’s Radio Times; Jim in Bold, the world premiere of a documentary by award-winning filmmaker Glen Holsten in collaboration with Young Gay America, PBS and MTV; and the National Role Model Award, all on May 2.
- An immigration panel; “GLBT Travel in America”; an international business colloquium; the Jim Wheeler National Youth Panel; and the International Business Leadership Award, all on May 3.
- The “SundayOut” block party in the area around 12th and Locust streets, May 4. For more information, call 215-732-3378, send e-mail to info@equalityforum.com or visit the Web site at www.equalityforum.com.