FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, July 6, 2016
CONTACT: Brad Luna, LUNA+EISENLA media
brad@lunaeisenlamedia.com | 202-812-8140 (mobile)

Democratic National Convention & the LGBT Community

Equality Forum Announces Moderators and Panelists for LGBT Civil Rights Summit

Over 20 National LGBT Leaders, Elected Officials, Newsmakers and Experts Convene to Discuss Future of the LGBT Movement

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Equality Forum, the nation’s premier lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights summit, announced today the lineup of over 20 national LGBT leaders, elected officials, newsmakers and experts taking part in this year’s summit to be held July 25^th through July 28^th, concurrent with the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.  

Equality Forum 2016 will bring together prominent, national voices for discussions on the state and future of the LGBT movement, and hold two historic marker dedications and award ceremonies. 

A complete list of moderators and panelists can be viewed online, here.  The full schedule (including dates, times, locations and participants) of Equality Forum 2016 can be viewed at www.equalityforum.com.

A complete list of events and participants for media planning purposes is included below. 

MEDIA RSVP:  Media looking to cover Equality Forum 2016, convening the LGBT community’s leading voices during the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, July 25^th – 28^th, should RVSP by emailing Brad Luna, LUNA+EISENLA media, brad@lunaeisenlamedia.com.  

FOR PLANNING PURPOSES  

Equality Forum Schedule of Events & Participants

MONDAY, JULY 25^th

21^st ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL ROLE MODEL AWARD VIP LUNCH

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. 

National Museum of American Jewish History (5^th Floor Ballroom)

101 South Independence Mall East (5th and Market Streets)

Philadelphia, PA 19106

Presenter

• David L. Cohen, Special Advisor, Democratic National Convention and Sr. Executive Vice President, Comcast Corporation

Award Recipient:  TBA

NATIONAL LEGAL PANEL

2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

National Museum of American Jewish History (Dell Auditorium)

101 South Independence Mall East (5th and Market Streets)

Philadelphia, PA 19106

Moderator

• R. Bradley Sears, Executive Director of the Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law

Panelists

• James Esseks, Director, ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender & HIV Project
• Roberta Kaplan, Counsel to Edie Windsor
• Shannon Minter, Esq., Litigation Director, National Center for Lesbian Rights
• Janson Wu, Executive Director, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD)

Special Guest

• Jim Obergefell, Plaintiff, Supreme Court Marriage Equality Case (signing of his book, Love Wins, directly after the National Legal Panel)

TUESDAY, JULY 26^th

BARBARA GITTINGS RESIDENCE HISTORIC MARKER DEDICATION

11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 

21st & Locust Streets

Philadelphia, PA 19103

NATIONAL POLITICS PANEL

Tuesday, July 26^th, 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

National Museum of American Jewish History (Dell Auditorium)

Moderator:  TBA

Panelists

• Mira Patel, former Obama Administration Senior Advisor, U.S. Agency for International Development and U.S. Department of State
• Jared Polis, U.S. Representative, State of Colorado
• Gautam Raghavan, Vice President of Public Policy, Gill Foundation
• Richard Socarides, Democratic Strategist and Commentator

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27^th

PHILADELPHIA CONFERENCE HISTORIC MARKER DEDICATION

11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 

Arch Street Meeting House

320 Arch Street

Philadelphia, PA 19106

ELECTED OFFICIALS PANEL

Wednesday, July 27^th, 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

National Museum of American Jewish History (Dell Auditorium)

Moderator

• Aisha C. Moodie-Mills, President and CEO, Victory Fund and Institute

Panelists

• Maura Healey, Attorney General, State of Massachusetts
• Sean Patrick Maloney, U.S. Representative, State of New York
• David Richardson, State Representative, State of Florida
• Mark Takano, U.S. Representative, State of California

THURSDAY, JULY 28^th

FUTURE OF THE MOVEMENT PANEL

2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

National Museum of American Jewish History (Dell Auditorium)

Moderator

• Kevin Naff, Editor, Washington Blade

Panelists

• Chad Griffin, President, Human Rights Campaign
• Melissa Harris-Perry, Pro Humanitate Institute
• Kevin Jennings, Executive Director, Arcus Foundation
• Evan Wolfson, Former President, Freedom to Marry

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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 through education.  For more information on the Equality Forum, please visit: www.equalityforum.com