FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 16, 2005

FREEDOM RIDERS TO ATTEND NATIONAL CELEBRATION

Busses carrying 40 Freedom Riders will travel to Equality Forum 2005 & National Celebration at Independence Hall in Philadelphia from upstate New York’s Genesee Valley. Representatives from Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse will join their brothers and sisters for the historic National Celebration. The trip follows the tradition of the original Freedom Riders, Civil Rights activists who traveled to the South in the 1960s to protest segregation. The trip is being organized by the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley (GAGV).

On July 4, 1965, 40 gays and lesbians stepped out of the closet at Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell to stage the first annual and organized gay and lesbian civil rights demonstration. The 16-hour National Celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the GLBT Civil Rights Movement at Independence Hall will honor these Gay Pioneers, as well as 40 Heroes who over the past 40 years have made a defining difference.

“We’re excited that Freedom Riders will be joining us for the National Celebration,” stated Malcolm Lazin, Executive Director of Equality Forum. “We salute the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley, and encourage grassroots organizations around the nation to bring their Freedom Riders to celebrate our history and demand equality.”

“The Gay Alliance is thrilled to join in the National Celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the GLBT Civil Rights Movement on Independence Mall to salute the Gay Pioneers and 40 Heroes,” said Todd Plank, Community Relations Director of the GAGV. “This is a rare and exciting opportunity for western New Yorkers to be a part of history in the making.”

“We have locations for bus drop-off and pick-up near the National Celebration,” said Michael Pomante, Program Director of Equality Forum. “This will be a huge historic event and our push back against those who want to keep us in the closet,” Pomante added.

Equality Forum 2005 features over 100 programs, including 14 parties and 40 special events. More than 105 state, regional, national and international non-profits and 28 national and international GLBT Executive Directors will be participating. Thirty-two (32) States and the District of Columbia will hold State Receptions on Saturday, April 30.

The Gay Pioneers and 40 Heroes Tribute on Independence Mall from 1 to 3 p.m. and the National Celebration Concert with Cyndi Lauper are part of 16 hours of events. The National Celebration on May 1 will also include SundayOUT, a street festival; screenings of the documentary Gay Pioneers; Conversations with Gay Leaders at the National Constitution Center; an Interfaith Service with Bishop Gene Robinson at historic Christ Church Philadelphia; a Gay Icons Pavilion at the Independence Visitors Center; celebrities; and three parties – including one at the Real World Philadelphia House.

There is no registration fee for Equality Forum 2005 and all substantive events including the National Celebration are free. There are 20 Center City hotels offering lowest rate for attendees.

For more information, visit www.equalityforum.com or contact Dan Wagner, Communications Associate at dan@equalityforum.com or (215) 732-3378 x10.

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