For Further Event Information:
215-732-3378 or
www.equalityforum.com
info@equalityforum.com

For Further Press Information:
Fleischman Gerber & Associates
Deborah Fleischman
215-735-7356

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OCTOBER 9, 2002

PRIDEFEST AMERICA ANNOUNCES NEW NAME AND MISSION

Germany Announced As Featured Nation in 2003 Forum

PrideFest America, the nation's largest annual GLBT symposium, will be known as EQUALITY FORUM. This new name with its logo was announced at a press conference in Philadelphia on Wednesday, October 9 at the Independence Visitors Center. This new identity is reflected in the organization's expanded mission as an annual global GLBT forum. Germany was named as the featured nation in 2003. Equality Forum will be held on April 28, 2003 through May 4, 2003.

Equality Forum highlights the vibrant international GLBT civil rights movement that is developing in widely different ways around the globe," said Malcolm Lazin, Executive Director of Equality Forum. "In 2003, prominent Germans will participate in our major panels and be part of our celebratory events. Our programming will reflect the transformation and redemption of Germany, from its darkest hours during the Nazi regime to a world-leading, progressive nation of GLBT civil liberties."

"Equality Forum will be the largest collaboration ever between the GLBT communities of two nations," said Munich's Thomas Boemkes, Director of the European Office of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association. "Germany has a large, out and active gay community. We think they will follow their iconic leaders to Philadelphia for the Equality Forum."

Boemkes was accompanied at the press conference by Ricarda Lindner, Marketing Director of German National Tourism of North America, and representatives of the City of Philadelphia, Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, Philadelphia Conventions and Visitors Bureau, and Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association.

Attending Equality Forum in the spring from Germany will be Klaus Wowereit, the openly gay Lord Mayor of Berlin; Volker Beck, the Bundestag's champion of gay marriage; Thomas Niederbuehl, a Munich City Councilman and national AIDS activist; as well as entertainers, business leaders and politicians. Berlin, Munich, Cologne and Hamburg are participating cities.

Meryl Levitz, President and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, stated: "Gay tourism is an important market. Equality Forum's uniqueness enhances our region's appeal to North American gay and lesbian tourism."

Since its founding in 1993, Equality Form, formerly PrideFest America, has become the nation's largest annual gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) symposium and festival. It has expanded from a three-day conference of regional organizations to a full week of events featuring international, national and regional leaders on a broad range of compelling issues. With an anticipated 60 programs and social events presented by 80 regional, national and international organizations, Equality Forum is internationally the most comprehensive programming about the GLBT community and its national and international civil rights aspirations.

For further information, please call 215-732-3378.

##########