PHILADELPHIA – Equality Forum, a national and international GLBT civil rights organization, will present the nation’s largest annual GLBT civil rights forum from May 1 to 7, 2006, in Philadelphia with over 70 substantive programs, parties and special events.

Equality Forum annually examines GLBT issues in a Featured Nation. In 2006, China is the Featured Nation with programs about its emerging gay and lesbian civil rights movement. Shanghai’s Dan Zhou, a Chinese gay pioneer, will participate in programming and will receive the 11th Annual International Role Model Award at the International Equality Dinner at the National Constitution Center. Comcast Corporation will receive the International Business Leadership Award.

"Equality Forum 2006's stellar line-up of substantive programming, parties, special events and live performances further enhances the annual festival's standing as the premier global GLBT event," said Malcolm Lazin, Executive Director of Equality Forum.

Equality Forum will premiere its third documentary, Saint of 9/11, a feature-length film about the life of FDNY Chaplain Father Mychal Judge, the first officially recorded victim of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

SundayOUT! in Philadelphia’s trendy Old City district offers a wide array of entertainment options including the city’s largest GLBT street festival, an Interfaith Service, events in Independence National Historic Park, Old City art galleries, cafes, shops, and the Equality LIVE! concert at Penn's Landing featuring headline performers.

Sapphire Fund, an all-volunteer fundraising organization for Philadelphia-area GLBT service organizations, will host its Blue Ball weekend of parties during Equality Forum 2006. "As a national event, Equality Forum brings a wealth of educational and cultural opportunities to the GLBT community,” said Brad Richards, President of Sapphire Fund. “Blue Ball is the premier dance event in the mid-Atlantic region."

Equality Forum 2006, from May 1 to May 7, 2006, in Philadelphia, features over 70 substantive programs, parties and special events in collaboration with more than 75 regional, state, national, and international organizations. There is no registration fee, and all substantive events are free.

ABOUT EQUALITY FORUM

Equality Forum is a national nonprofit and 501(c)(3) GLBT organization headquartered in Philadelphia. Equality Forum undertakes high impact initiatives, produces documentary films, highlights GLBT history and presents annually the largest national and international GLBT civil rights forum.