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Mission
The mission of Equality Forum is to host the world's preeminent annual GLBT symposium and festival. Our goals are to state a high visibility forum that focuses on regional, national and international organizations and their issues; decrease external homophobia by generating understanding about our breadth, commonality, diversity and impact of homophobia on our lives; and diminish internal homophobia by addressing its causes and presenting individual and community role models. The Board of Directors believes that our civil rights movement needs an annual forum where individually and collectively we gather to consider where we've been, where we are now and what direction to set. We belive that Equality Forum is that forum and as such serves an important role in our emancipation.
 
History


[See the PrideFest America 2002 site.]

Equality Forum 2003 will feature 76 programs and festivities from Monday, April 28th to Sunday, May 4th.

Equality Forum began in 1993 as PrideFest Philadelphia, a non-profit organization hosting 15 regional organizations presenting substantive programs. By 1995, PrideFest Philadelphia grew to 45 regional organizations presenting programming annually over a 3 day weekend.

In 1996, the Board of Directors determined to give PrideFest a national direction and created the National Gay and Lesbian Leaders Symposium in collaboration with NPR and the Tom Stoddard National Role Model Award. In 1997, PrideFest expanded to five days and added the National Building Championship, SundayOUT, plus programs presented by national organizations.

In 1998, the National Religious Colloguy, National Workplace Symposium, National Authors Panel, Jim Wheeler National Youth Panel and National History Project were added. PrideFest received a 501 (3) designation from the IRS. Starting an annual tradition, 15 rainbow flags were hung from lampposts in Center City.

In 1999, PrideFest changed its name to PrideFest America and expanded to seven days. New program additions included the International Arts Award, National Media Panel and Local/State/Federal Political Action Panel. For PrideFest America 2000, the National Family Values Panel, BBQ and Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Believe became part of the staple of popular events.

In 2000, we presented our first annual GLBT art exhibit, an Andy Warhol exhibit in collaboration with the Andy Warhol Museum.

PrideFest America 2001 introduced an international component with the International GLBT Human Rights Panel in collaboration with Amesty International and the International GLBT Human Rights Commissional. New programs included Race Relations in the GLBT Community, Best of Philly Cabaret, Gender in the New Millennium, Computers and the GLBT Community and Artistic Alternatives, an exhibit with approximately 50 works by Robert Rauschenberg, Keith Haring, Jasper Johns, Andy Warhol and David Hockney. In collaboration with WHYY, fourteen major programs were archived for a national and international audience via the World Wide Web. We also produced "Gay Pioneers" in collaboration with WHYY and PBS, directed by Glenn Holsten, detailing the first homosexual rights demonstrations that were staged annually from 1965 to 1969 in NYC, Philadelphia and DC, prior to the Stonewall Uprising.

PrideFest America 2002, for the first time, awarded the Tom Stoddard National Role Model Award to a corporation -- MTV, a cable television network which has contributed to social change through its positive inclusion of GBLT issues in its programming. PrideFest America also hosted the first retrospective of the works of photographer Tseng Kwong Chi. The display of rainbow flags has grown every year -- in 2002, 150 pride banners hung along the streets of Center City.

For 2003, the organization once again changed its name, to reflect a broadened mission and international scope, to Equality Forum. This year's event continues the tradition of featuring GLBT life and travel in another nation, with Germany's participation. The energy and contributions of GLBT youth are being highlighted through a series of events -- Exuberance!, a photography exhibit in collaboration with The University of the Arts with Harris Fogel, Chair, Media Arts Department as Curator; underage parties; several programs and workshops; and the awarding of our National Role Model Award to Mike Glatze and Benjie Nycum of Young Gay America. Equality Forum also produced a documentary, JIM IN BOLD, directed by Glenn Holsten and in collaboration with MTV and PBS. JIM IN BOLD focuses on the tragedies of homophobia, and the hope demonstrated by GLBT youth across the country. Equality Forum also introduces an International Business Colloquium and Dinner, honoring Ford Motor Company Vice Chair and CFO, Allan Gillmour.