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Independence Hall Plaque
To Mark Birth Of Gay Rights Movement
by 365Gay.from the Web, March 24, 2005
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Philadelphia, PA -- Four years before the Stonewall riots in New York that are generally credited as the beginning of the LGBT civil rights movement gays and lesbians demonstrated in Philadelphia.
Now, an official marker will honor the 1965 event at Independence Hall, the site of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The historical marker was approved this week by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission who oversees Independence Hall.
"We are thrilled that this important landmark has been approved unanimously by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission," said Malcolm Lazin, executive director of Equality Forum.
Equality Forum prepared the application with advice from gay rights pioneers Frank Kameny and Barbara Gittings, who helped organize the first demonstration.
Governor Rendell is expected to unveil the Historical Marker at the National Celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the GLBT Civil Rights Movement on Sunday, May 1 at Independence Hall.
In approving the marker Wayne Spilove, chairman of PHMC noted the symbolism of the demonstration.
"Pennsylvania is proud to be both the birthplace of our nation and the birthplace of so many historic events that have advanced civil rights in America", Spilove said.
The 40th Anniversary of the gay rights movement will be marked with a 16-hour National Celebration on Sunday, May 1.
It includes a Gay Pioneers & 40 Heroes Tribute, the National Celebration Concert with Cyndi Lauper, an Interfaith Service at historic Christ Church with Bishop Gene Robinson, Conversations with Gay Leaders at the National Constitution Center, screenings of Gay Pioneers, a Gay Icons Pavilion at Independence Visitors Center, celebrities, the SundayOUT street festival, and parties.
There is no registration fee for Equality Forum 2005 and all substantive events including the National Celebration are free.
The National Celebration is part of Equality Forum 2005, which features over 100 programs including 14 parties and 40 special events.
More than 105 local and national non-profit organizations and 29 national and international GLBT Executive Directors will be participating.
Thirty-two states and the District of Columbia will hold State Receptions on Saturday, April 30.
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