PHILADELPHIA—Equality Forum has been selected as a finalist for the 2006 PlanetOut Travel Award, which recognizes "the best of the best in gay travel."

According to PlanetOut Travel Editor Ed Salvato, "Equality Forum is the quintessential gay experience: a global event that is at once celebratory, culturally significant, incredibly well-organized, educational and all-welcoming."

Equality Forum, a national and international GLBT civil rights organization, will present the largest annual national and international GLBT civil rights forum from May 1 to 7, 2006, in Philadelphia with over 70 substantive programs, parties and special events. China is the 2006 Featured Nation. There is no registration fee, and all substantive events are free.

Highlights include the premiere of Equality Forum's 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, a National Interfaith Service, events in Independence National Historic Park, Old City art galleries, cafes, shops, and the Equality LIVE! concert at Penn's Landing featuring Taylor Dayne.

Other nominees for the PlanetOut Travel Award include Black and Blue Montreal, Gay Days Orlando, New Years Rio, and Sydney Mardi Gras. The winner will be announced on May 26 at the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) annual conference

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.