Equality Forum Weekend

A full list of panels and parties from Friday through Sunday

Zane Booker (photos courtesy of Equality Forum)

Three day’s worth of events celebrate Equality Forum starting today with “Unsettled: Photography and Politics in Contemporary Art” (5 p.m.), a discussion about controversy in art at the Perelman Cafe at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Peter Barberie from the Alfred Stieglitz Center, and Matthew Palczynski, lecturer for Western Art, look back on the legacy of the 1980s culture wars as it relates to LGBT expression.

Or drop by Stir for Absolut Ruby Red Happy Hour (5 p.m.) before attending the Zane Booker Dance Tribute (7 p.m.) at the Merriam Theater.

Equality Forum is also screening Bullied: A Student, a School and a Case that Made History (7:30 p.m.) at Levitt Auditorium at Gershman Hall. The movie tells the story of Jamie Nabozny (who’s in Philly for the event) who was bullied and beaten at school for being gay before becoming the first student to sue the school district for failing to protect him.

Rodeph Shalom also hosts a Shabbat Service (8 p.m.) in collaboration with Congregation Beth Ahavah with a sermon from Sharon Singer, the director of public affairs and social media for the Consulate General of Israel in Philly.

Peter Reynolds debuts his play que(e)ry (9 p.m.) at Levitt Auditorium. The fast-paced performance piece examines the cast member’s personal experiences with queerness and gender identity featuring 21 Temple University students.

que(e)ry

Celebrate your own gender identity when the ladies bring their popular Stimulus party to Philly’s newest gay nightclub iCandy (10 p.m.). Tavern on Camac also hosts the Absolut Mandarin Cabaret and Dance Party ( 10 p.m.).

Saturday offers a whopping 23 events. The day kicks off with several discussions, including Bisexuality in the 21st Century (12:30 p.m.), LGBT Legal Advocacy and Grassroots Organizing (12:30 p.m.) and Add Sex and Stir: A Recipe for Public Health Promotion (12:30 p.m.) featuring well-known experts in their fields.

Temple University Center City also hosts a Student Network Across Pennsylvania (SNAP) Summit (12:30 p.m.) and Breaking the Silence: LGBT Youth and Pennsylvania Schools (12:30 p.m.).

Kevin Naff, editor of the Washington Blade, moderates the National Politics Panel (1-2:15 p.m.) at Hamilton Hall with several guest panelists, including GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios and Marty Rouse from the HRC.

Same-sex families are also examined during the National Families Panel (1-2:15 p.m.) at Gershman Hall with several folks sharing their stories, including Joe Valentine, a former pitcher with the Cincinnati Reds who was raised by two lesbian moms.

By 2 p.m., hit up: Pennsylvania Strategy Summit, The Next Steps in Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal, Media Essentials for Maximizing the Impact of Your Message and  School’s OUT: Making Schools Safe for LGBT Youth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 13th Annual James Wheeler National Youth Panel also honors a PA native who committed suicide after being bullied for being gay (2:30 p.m.) at Levitt Auditorium with a special appearance by Daniel Hernandez, Jr., the openly gay intern who aided Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords after she was wounded in Arizona, as well as other experts and advocates.

Diversity in the Workplace is addressed (2:30-3:45 p.m.) at Hamilton Hall as legislators in PA debate a new bill that would protect LGBTs from being discriminated against at work based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.

And starting at 3:30 p.m., several topics will be in the spotlight at Temple University Center City: LGBT Adoptions featuring HelpUsAdopt.org, Theater of Understanding, TransPARENT: Pathways to Parenthood, The Boy Scouts: Publicly Subsidized Discrimination and Moving Equality Forward.

The William Way screens For the Bible Tells Me So (4 p.m.) about LGBT issues in Christianity before the International Equality Dinner (7 p.m.) at the National Constitution Center where Lt. Dan Choi and Patrick Murphy will receive the International Role Model Awards and Daniel Hernandez, Jr., will be the guest of honor.

If you didn’t manage to snag a $200 ticket for the dinner, then you can check out a screening of gay fave The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (7:30 p.m.) at Gershman Hall before hitting up the Absolut Peach Girl Fever party at Sisters (8:30 p.m.) and the Absolut Wild Tea Men’s Party at Q Lounge (10 p.m.).

The events close out on Sunday with a bang starting at 8 a.m. during the official SundayOUT! Drag Brunch at Darling’s at The Piazza (a shuttle from Uncles in the Gayborhood will be running every 15 minutes to Northern Liberties throughout the day). SundayOUT! at The Piazza ($10) kicks off by noon for an afternoon fest featuring Retro, a free dance party at Darling’s with music from the 60s, 70s and 80s thanks to DJs Reenie Kane and Jimmy De Pre.

Please stop by G Philly‘s table to say hello. We’ll be giving out free issues of the magazine – and you can even take a spin in our photo booth.

Later, Tendenza at The Piazza hosts the SundayOUT! Absolut Tea Dance (4-10 p.m.) before a Mass and Couples Blessing (7 p.m.) closes out this year’s six-day forum at the Church of St. Luke and the Epiphany.