National Equality Rally

This just in:

The National Park Service (NPS) has issued a First Amendment permit to Equality Forum for a National Equality Rally at Independence Hall on Sunday afternoon, May 3, 2009 at Independence National Historical Park [in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania].

Organizations, grassroots activists and straight allies will March for Equality on Independence Mall (from the National Constitution Center to Independence Hall) to rally for:

* Passage of trans-inclusive hate crimes legislation and Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)
* Repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
* Support for GLBT Health Issues
* Equal benefits for same-sex families
* Same-sex marriage Equality

Regional, state and national organizations, people of color, progressive religious institutions, high school and college GSAs and straight ally organizations are invited to be Co-Organizers without cost or legal obligation.

Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell are where the Gay Pioneers held the first organized gay and lesbian civil rights demonstrations called “Annual Reminders” each Fourth of July from 1965 to 1969. The Annual Reminders laid the groundwork for the Stonewall Riots in 1969 and the first New York Pride Parade in 1970.

Organization representatives will carry the name of their organization on pole-mounted placards. Movement leaders will carry Equality messages. Organization members and the public will be offered American and rainbow flags.

The March for Equality on Independence Mall will pass by Benjamin Franklin’s burial site, U.S. Mint, National Constitution Center, Federal Reserve Bank, Federal Office Building, U.S. Courthouse, Independence Visitor Center, Gay Pioneers Historic Marker, Liberty Bell Center and Independence Hall. After completion of the March for Equality, demonstrators will assemble on Independence Mall for a one-hour Equality program.

“Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell are where the movement was launched. With a new Congress and a President who describes himself as a ‘fierce advocate’ of our civil rights, it is the right moment for us to join hands at an iconic location to demand Equality,” stated Malcolm Lazin, Executive Director of Equality Forum.

Equality Forum is a national and international GLBT civil rights organization with an educational focus. The National Equality Rally at Independence Hall will be held on the concluding day of Equality Forum 2009 (April 27 to May 3). Over 50 national and international movement leaders are participating at Equality Forum 2009.