Malcolm Lazin, Founder and Executive Director of Equality Forum and Chair of the National LGBT 50th Anniversary Celebration, will speak about why the seismic shift in LGBT civil rights occurred—from marginalization and stigmatization to legalized same-sex marriage—and how Philadelphia played an important role in these advances. Lazin is credited with lighting the Ben Franklin Bridge, with building the first major project on Philadelphia's waterfront, and for chairing the successful effort to have Washington Square incorporated into Independence National Historical Park. He led federal grand jury investigations, served as Chair of the Pennsylvania Crime Commission, and is active in Philadelphia civic life.