Wednesday marks the beginning of the 20th Annual Equality Forum in Philadelphia.
The weeklong event, with Israel as their featured nation in 2012, features parties, panels, art exhibits, dinners and more all around town (see below for a full listing) with the goal of advancing national and international education in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) community. Many of the events are free of charge. This year’s event is celebrating “the transformation from a groundbreaking regional LGBT conference into the premier and largest annual national and international LGBT summit,” says Malcolm Lazin, the event’s executive director.
Below is a full schedule of events. For more information, visit www.equalityforum.com. All panels include a question and answer session. If you’re headed to any events this week and are a social media maven, be sure to tweet using the #PHLEquality hashtag.
ALL WEEK
13th Annual Gay and Lesbian Art Exhibit, featuring sraeli photographer David Adika, Tuesday – Sunday , 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Open Lens Gallery, Gershman Y (401 South Broad Street)
FREE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 2
VIP Kickoff (Invitation Only), 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Gershman Y (401 South Broad Street)
THURSDAY, MAY 3
National Religious Colloquy, 7 to 8:15 p.m.
Doubletree by Hilton Hotel (237 South Broad Street)
FREE
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National Transgender Panel, 7 to 8:15 p.m.
Doubletree by Hilton Hotel (237 South Broad Street)
FREE
Featured Nation: Israel, 8:30 to 9:45 p.m.: Moderated by Israel native Nurit Shein, Executive Director, Mazzoni LGBT Health Center, with leading Israeli panelists, including openly gay Tel Aviv City Council Member Yaniv Weizman
Doubletree by Hilton Hotel (237 South Broad Street)
FREE
National Racial Panel, 8:30 to 9:45 p.m.
Doubletree by Hilton Hotel (237 South Broad Street)
FREE
OUT @ NBCUniversal Welcome Party, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Vedge (1221 Locust Street)
FRIDAY, MAY 4
National Legal Panel, 4 to 5:15 p.m.
National Constitution Center (525 Arch Street)
FREE
National Politics Panel, 5:30 to 6:45 p.m.: Moderated by Chuck Wolfe, President and CEO, Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, with panelists Clarke Cooper, Executive Director, Log Cabin Republicans; Patrick Guerriero, Founding Partner, Civitas Public Affairs Group; Rebecca Isaacs, Executive Director, Equality Federation; and Andrew Tobias, Treasurer, Democratic National Committee (DNC)
National Constitution Center (525 Arch Street)
FREE
Drag Show & Party, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Tabu (200 South 12th Street)
Stimulus Party, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
iCandy (254 South 12th Street)
SATURDAY, MAY 5
National Sports Panel, 1 to 2:15 p.m.
Doubletree by Hilton Hotel (237 South Broad Street)
FREE
National Military Panel, 1 to 2:15 p.m.: Members of OutServe discuss challenges LGBT military personnel face after the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,”
Doubletree by Hilton Hotel (237 South Broad Street), FREE
National Same-Sex Marriage Panel, 2:30 to 3:45 p.m.
Doubletree by Hilton Hotel (237 South Broad Street)
FREE
14th Annual James Wheeler National Youth Panel, 2:30 to 3:45 p.m.
Doubletree by Hilton Hotel (237 South Broad Street)
FREE
International Equality Dinner, 7 to 10 p.m.: Honoring Houston Mayor Annise Parker with the 17th annual International Role Model Award and NBCUniversal with the 10th annual International Business Leadership Award. Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren is the Keynote Speaker; MSNBC Anchor Thomas Roberts is the Master of Ceremonies
National Museum of American Jewish History (101 South Independence Mall East)
Girl Fever, 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Sisters (1320 Chancellor Street)
Men’s Party, 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Voyeur (1221 St. James Street)
SUNDAY, MAY 6
SundayOUT! at The Piazza, Noon to 7 p.m.: With more than 150 vendors, artisans, galleries, bars, boutiques, cafés and restaurants in an Italian inspired open-air plaza, SundayOUT! includes national recording artist Neon Hitch, Fuego Dance Company, Osher Sabag, an Israeli drag performer, Israeli pop star Shorty and Tel Aviv DJ’s
The Piazza (Northern Liberties, N. 2nd Street & Germantown Avenue)
SundayOUT! Tea Dance, 4 to 10 p.m.
Gunners Run (1001 North 2nd Street)
