Equality Forum Press Room
 

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


17 PARTIES AND SPECIAL EVENTS AT EQUALITY FORUM


Kick back your heels and have fun at nine parties and eight special events during Equality Forum. From a 300 photo exhibit of GLBT youth to German cabaret to the world premiere of JIM IN BOLD to late night hot spots, these special activities celebrate the diversity of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) culture. Equality Forum, formerly PrideFest America, presents the world's most comprehensive programs about the GLBT community on April 28-May 4 in Philadelphia. Equality Forum features 76 programs and social events by 95 regional, national and international GLBT organizations.

The fun begins early with Exuberance! on April 23 through May 4 in collaboration with The University of the Arts. Showcasing over 300 photographs of GLBT youth by Mike Glatze and Benjie Nycum of Young Gay America and The University of the Arts graduate Rachelle Lee Smith, this exhibit captures the uniqueness, vitality and pride of GLBT teens.

The partying kicks off with a hearty welcome to this year's Featured Nation, Germany. It's girl's night out at the Fraulein Party on Wednesday, April 30 at 10:00 PM at Trust (121 South 13th Streets). Hang with the cool chicks and groove to the sounds of DJ Daz. The next night, the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection offers a warm hello to the German visitors at the Wilkommen Party at 10:00 PM at Woody's (202 South 13th Street).

The Friday evening programs kickoff with the world premiere of Equality Forum production JIM IN BOLD, a documentary by award-winning filmmaker Glenn Holsten, in collaboration with PBS, MTV and Young Gay America about the impact of homophobia on GLBT youth, presented at 8:00 PM at The Kimmel Center. Immediately following the film, Equality Forum presents the 8th annual Tom Stoddard National Role Model Award to Mike Glatze and Benjie Nycum, co-founders of Young Gay America for their work on their website (www.younggayamerica.com ) and over 75,000 km of road trips in connecting GLBT youth worldwide with powerful, life-affirming messages. Wrap-up the evening at either the Exuberance! Youth VIP Party with the creators of the Exuberance! exhibit beginning at 10:30 PM at The University of the Arts, or at the JetSet party, a first-class event saluting Glatze and Nycum with New York DJ Hector Fonseca of Star 69 Records, at 9:00 PM at Shampoo (Willow between 7th and 8th Streets).

Friday night is also German cabaret night at Equality Forum featuring a performance by Fraulein Piggy and Gene Pascale direct from Cologne, presenting German drag and buoyant comedy from 9:00-10:00 PM at the Prince Music Theater. Munich icons Gay Schwuhplattler follow, performing traditional Bavarian folk songs in lederhosen from 11:00-midnight.

Jump into Saturday at SwimFest 2003, a gathering place for over 125 competitors from across the U.S. and Germany. Watch swimmers in their suits compete for first place beginning at 9:00 AM at Swarthmore College.

The sun will shine on Equality Forum's outdoor activities, beginning with the BBQ in collaboration with Y100 with special guest American Idol finalist Jim Verraros on Saturday, May 3 from 4:00-6:00 PM at Kahn Park, the perfect transition from substantive daytime programs to the nighttime parties. The evening is jam-packed with fun-filled events for everyone: from the Youth Party starting at 10:00 PM at Chrome (939 North Delaware Avenue), expressly for the 16 to 21-year old crowd featuring The Advocate coverboy Matt Beierschmitt of MTV's True Life: I'm Coming Out, American Idol's Jim Verraros and photographer Rachelle Lee Smith with DJs Chris Costanzo and John E; for women, it's Girl Fever at 9:00 PM at Sisters (1320 Chancellor Street) with DJ Lyla Love; and the lead party for men is Liberation at 10:00 PM at Transit (600 Spring Garden Street) with DJ Angelo Kortez of Star 69 Records with special guest appearance by OZZIE of Miami's Bongiovi Entertainment. OZZIE was the diva of Miami's White Party 2002.

Equality Forum's week ends on Sunday, May 4 with a full day of activity. SundayOUT, the region's largest annual block party, features entertainment, vendors, crafts, food, and drinks for the entire GLBT community. There will be a special SundayOUT Party at noon to 6:00 PM with DJ Tommy Daz at Trust (121 South 13th Street) and the Tea Dance bringing the week's festivities to a close with its usual packed house, great vibes and the sounds of DJ Nyce beginning at 6:00 PM at Circa (1518 Walnut Street).

Since its founding in 1993, Equality Forum has become the world's largest annual gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) symposium and festival. It has expanded from a three-day conference of 15 regional organizations to a full week of events featuring international, national and regional leaders on a broad range of compelling issues. With 76 programs and social events presented by 95 regional, national and international non-profit organizations, Equality Forum is the most in-depth program of the emergence of a vibrant international GLBT community and its civil rights aspirations.

For further information, call 215-732-3378 or visit the website at www.equalityforum.com.

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PARTIES AND SPECIAL EVENTS AT EQUALITY FORUM
QUICK FACT LIST

Fantastic Special Events:

  • Exuberance! - April 23-May 4 (Sol Mednick Gallery at The University of the Arts)
  • JIM IN BOLD film premiere - May 2 at 8:00 PM (Kimmel Center)
  • Tom Stoddard National Role Model Award given to Mike Glatze and Benjie Nycum -May 2 at 9:00 PM (Kimmel Center)
  • Cabaret with Fraulein Piggy and Herr Pasquale - May 2 at 9:00 PM (Prince Music Theater)
  • Cabaret with Gay Schuhplattler - May 2 at 11:00 PM (Prince Music Theatre)
  • SwimFest 2003 - May 3 at 9:00 AM (Swarthmore College)
  • BBQ - May 3 at 4:00 to 8:00 PM (Kahn Park)
  • SundayOUT - May 4 at 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM (12th & Locust)

Don't Miss Parties:

  • Fraulein Party - April 30 at 10:00 PM to 2:00 AM (Trust)
  • Wilkommen Party - May 1 at 10:00 PM to 2:00 AM (Woody's)
  • JetSet - May 2 at 9:00 PM to 2:30 AM (Shampoo)
  • Exuberance! Youth VIP Party - May 2 at 10:30 PM-midnight (The University of the Arts)
  • BBQ - May 3 at 4:00-8:00 PM (Kahn Park)
  • Girl Fever - May 3 at 9:00 PM-2:00 AM (Sisters)
  • Youth Party - May 3 at 10:00 PM-2:00 AM (Chrome)
  • Liberation - May 3 at 10:00 PM- 6:00 AM (Transit)
  • SundayOUT - May 4 at 11:00 AM-6:00 PM (12th & Locust)
  • SundayOUT Party - May 4 at noon-6:00 PM (Trust)
  • Tea Dance - May 4 at 6:00-10:00 PM (Circa)