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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, July 13, 2016
CONTACT: Brad Luna, LUNA+EISENLA media
brad@lunaeisenlamedia.com | 202-812-8140 (mobile)
2016 Democratic National Convention
Former Houston Mayor Annise Parker to Dedicate Historic Marker to “Mother of the LGBT Civil Rights Movement”
Historic Marker at Barbara Gittings’ Residence in Philadelphia, PA to take Place During Week of Democratic National Convention
PHILADELPHIA, PA – The Equality Forum, the nation’s premier lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights summit, announced today that former Houston Mayor Annise Parker, the first openly LGBT mayor of a major American city, will serve as the keynote speaker for the Barbara Gittings’ Residence Historic Marker Dedication ceremony slated for Tuesday, July 26th from 11:00 am – 11:30 am (ET) at 21st and Locust Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
“As the nation’s first openly LGBT mayor of a major American city, former Houston Mayor Annise Parker is the right person to be dedicating this historic marker to the ‘Mother of the LGBT civil rights movement’,” said Malcolm Lazin, Equality Forum’s Founder and Executive Director.
Known as the “Mother of the LGBT Civil Rights Movement”, Barbara Gittings (July 31, 1932 – February 18, 2007) resided in Philadelphia, PA with her partner, Kay Lahusen. She was the editor of the first lesbian publication. With Frank Kameny, she organized the Annual Reminders at Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, which launched the LGBT civil rights movement. Gittings spearheaded the successful initiative to have the American Library Association include gay and lesbian books in the nation’s card catalogues and libraries. Kameny and Gittings challenged the American Psychiatric Association, resulting in homosexuality being removed from the list of mental illnesses.
WHAT:
Former Houston Mayor Annise Parker to keynote historic marker dedication to Barbara Gittings, “Mother of the LGBT Civil Rights Movement”
WHEN:
Tuesday, July 26th from 11:00 am – 11:30 am (ET)
WHERE:
Former residence of Barbara Gittings and Kay Lahusen, 21st and Locust Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19103
WHO:
Former Houston Mayor Annise Parker
Malcolm Lazin, founder and executive director, Equality Forum
Philadelphia City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson
Paul Steinke, Executive Director, Preservation Alliance
Special performance by the Anna Crusis Women’s Choir, oldest existing feminist choir in the United States of which Barbara Gittings was a member
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 from July 25th – 28th, concurrent with the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, PA.
To view the full list of events, please visit: www.equalityforum.com
MEDIA RSVP: Media interested in covering any of the Equality Forum events scheduled for July 25th – 28th should RVSP to: Brad Luna, LUNA+EISENLA media, brad@lunaeisenlamedia.com
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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
