| MEDIA ADVISORY for Tuesday, July 26th, 2016
National LGBT Politics Panel to Discuss State and Future of LGBT Movement Day’s Events Kicks-Off w/ former Houston Mayor Annise Parker Dedicating Historic Marker to “Mother of the LGBT Movement”PHILADELPHIA, PA – Equality Forum, the nation’s premier lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights summit, will begin today’s events with former Houston Mayor Annise Parker, the first openly LGBT mayor of a major American city, dedicating a historic marker to Philadelphia native Barbara Gittings, the “Mother of the LGBT Movement”.  Following the historic marker dedication, LGBT political leaders, including the first openly gay parent in Congress, will convene at the National Museum of American Jewish History for a panel discussion on the state and future of the LGBT movement. The Equality Forum 2016 National LGBT Politics Panel will explore the LGBT political agenda that lies ahead, including:  
					Passage of the Equality Act,LGBT’s community’s “place at the table”,Efforts to repeal and fight off discriminatory, so-called “religious freedom” statutes,Promotion of transgender equality,The elimination of reparative therapy practices,Thwarting bullying of LGBT youth, andWays to promote the quality of life of LGBT seniors. TUESDAY at 11:00AMWHAT:             Barbara Gittings Residence Historic Marker Dedication Ceremony WHERE:           Locust Commons241 South 21st Street (intersection of 21st & Locust Streets)
 Philadelphia, PA 19103
 WHEN: TODAY, Tuesday, July 26th, 11:00 – 11:30 a.m.   WHO: 
					Former Houston Mayor Annise Parker, Keynote SpeakerMalcolm Lazin, founder and executive director, Equality ForumPhiladelphia City Councilman Kenyatta JohnsonPaul Steinke, Executive Director, Preservation AllianceSpecial performance by the Anna Crusis Women’s Choir, oldestfeminist choir in the United States of which Barbara Gittings was a member
   TUESDAY at 2:30PMWHAT:             Equality Forum’s National LGBT Politics Panel WHERE:            National Museum of American Jewish History (Dell Theater)101 South Independence Mall East (5th and Market Streets)
 Philadelphia, PA 19106
 WHEN:  TODAY, Tuesday, July 26th, 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. WHO:                
					Richard Socarides, Democratic Strategist and Commentator (moderator)Gregory Angelo, President of the Log Cabin RepublicansMira Patel, former Obama Administration Senior Advisor, U.S. Agency forInternational Development and U.S. Department of State
Jared Polis, U.S. Representative, State of ColoradoGautam Raghavan, Vice President of Public Policy, Gill Foundation   DOWNLOAD THE DIGITAL PRESS KITEquality Forum 2016 About Equality Forum Participants in Equality Forum 2016 LGBT Champion Awards Biography of Malcolm Lazin   The full schedule (including dates, times, locations and participants) of Equality Forum 2016 events throughout the week can be viewed at www.equalityforum.com. MEDIA RSVP:  Media looking to cover Equality Forum 2016, convening the LGBT community’s leading voices during the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, July 25th – 28th, should RVSP by emailing Brad Luna, LUNA+EISENLA media, brad@lunaeisenlamedia.com  | 
		
			|  # # About the Equality Forum Equality Forum coordinates LGBT History Month, produces documentary films, undertakes high-impact initiatives and presents the largest annual national and international LGBT civil rights summit.   Equality Forum is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to advance national and international lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights with an educational focus.  For more information on the Equality Forum, please visit: www.equalityforum.com   |