PHILADELPHIA— The federal elections and political issues will be a focus at Equality Forum 2008, April 28 to May 4 in Philadelphia. The annual Equality Forum is the largest annual national and international GLBT civil rights forum.
“The 2008 elections will have profound impact on GLBT civil rights from the hoped-for passage of ENDA to the likely nomination of Supreme Court Justices,” stated Malcolm Lazin, Executive Director of Equality Forum. “Equality Forum 2008 brings together federal and state elected officials and major community leaders for that discussion.”
Among the programs are:
National Politics Panel on May 1 moderated by Kevin Naff, Editor, Washington Blade will focus on the 2008 federal elections. Andy Tobias, Treasurer, Democratic National Committee; Robin Brand, Chief Operating Officer, Gill Action; Malcolm Lazin, Executive Director, Equality Forum; and Patrick Sammon, President, Log Cabin Republicans are the panelists.
A Conversation with Barney Frank will be held on Sunday afternoon, May 4 at the National Constitution Center.
National Military Panel in collaboration with SLDN will be held on Saturday afternoon, May 3 with moderator Sharra Greer, Director of Law and Policy, SLDN. The panelists include Congressman Joe Sestak (D-PA), a retired Vice Admiral, United States Navy; Eric Alva, former Staff Sergeant, United States Marines; and Jason Knight, former Petty Officer Second Class, United States Navy.
National Legal Panel moderated by D’Arcy Kemnitz, Executive Director, National Lesbian & Gay Law Association will be held on Friday afternoon, May 2, with panelists Judge Ann Butchart, Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County; Matt Coles, Director of the Lesbian & Gay Rights Project, ACLU; Professor John Culhane, Widener University School of Law; and Jon Davidson, Legal Director, Lambda Legal.
The LibertyPA/Equality Advocates Pennsylvania Statewide Reception on Saturday afternoon, May 3, brings together Pennsylvania GLBT political activists. Congressmen Patrick Murphy (D-PA) and Joe Sestak (D-PA) are the guests of honor with out gay elected officials attending.
New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson will receive the 13th annual International Role Model Award at the International Equality Dinner at the National Constitution Center on Saturday, May 3. Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell is the Honorary Dinner Chair.
There is no registration fee for Equality Forum 2008 and all substantive events and the LibertyPA/Equality Advocates Pennsylvania Statewide Reception are free.
ABOUT EQUALITY FORUM
Equality Forum is a national and international GLBT civil rights organization with an educational focus. Equality Forum coordinates GLBT History Month, produces documentary films, undertakes high impact initiatives and presents the largest annual national and international GLBT civil rights forum. www.equalityforum.com |
