'Voices of Equality' singers to perform at National Equality Rally

Singers from three of Philadelphia’s leading choral groups – the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus, Anna Crusis Women’s Choir, and the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia will perform at the National Equality Rally at Independence Hall on Sunday, May 3. The patriotic musical tribute will conclude a one-hour, high-impact Rally, following the March for Equality on Independence Mall.

Find out more after the jump.


The Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus, under the artistic direction of Joseph Buches, is the region’s largest all-male chorus with over 100 members, and one of the nation’s first gay men’s choruses.

Anna Crusis Women’s Choir, under the artistic direction of Jacqueline Coren, is the country’s oldest feminist choir.

The Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia, under the artistic leadership of Alan Harler, has been presenting innovative choral performances for more than 100 years.

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

Gay Pioneers Frank Kameny and Lilli Vincenz will lead organizations, grassroots activists and straight allies in the March for Equality on Independence Mall (from the National Constitution Center to Independence Hall).

Organization representatives will carry their organization’s name on pole-mounted placards. Movement leaders will carry Equality messages. Activists and straight allies will be offered American and rainbow flags and encouraged to carry Equality signs.

Information about the National Equality Rally and how to participate can be found at www.nationalequalityrally.org.

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). Equality Forum 2009 has 34 panels, 8 parties and 10 special events, with Challenges of the Russian GLBT community as the international focus. There is no registration fee and all panels are free.

For more information about the National Equality Rally at Independence Hall, visit www.nationalequalityrally.org. For information about Equality Forum, visit www.equalityforum.com. For information about the Gay Pioneers, visit www.gaypioneers.com.




More news from National Equality Rally

Three major programs were announced for the National Equality Rally at Independence Hall, with its March for Equality on Independence Mall.

In the National Constitution Center’s Kirby Auditorium, where then-Senator Obama gave his speech on race, there will be a Conversation with Volker Beck, a member of Germany’s Bundestag (parliament) and a leader of the European GLBT community, and a Conversation with San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.

After the National Equality Rally, there will be a National Interfaith Service at historic Christ Church with a sermon by Rev. Susan Russell, national president of Integrity.

Conversation with Volker Bec

Volker Beck is the leading European GLBT activist and since 1994 has been a member of Germany's parliament, the Bundestag. Beck is the father of the German Registered Partnership Act. In 2007, he was attacked at Moscow's Gay Pride Parade. This Conversation is facilitated by John R. Taylor, Managing Partner of Wellspring Advisors, and an expert on international GLBT civil rights and human rights violations.

Conversation with San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom garnered worldwide attention in 2004 when he authorized granting marriage licenses to same-sex couples – making San Francisco the first city in the U.S. to authorize same-sex marriages. His decision brought same-sex marriage to national attention. This Conversation is facilitated by Marcus Mabry, Enterprise Editor, Business Day, The New York Times, and the former Senior Editor of Newsweek International.

5th Annual National Interfaith Service

The Rev. Susan Russell, national president of Integrity, will deliver the sermon and be joined by representatives of major faiths for a spiritual celebration at historic Christ Church Philadelphia, the sanctuary where George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and Betsy Ross worshiped.

For more information on the National Equality Rally visit www.NationalEqualityRally.org.

National Equality Rally

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.

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

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.

“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.

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. Information about the National Equality Rally and how to participate can be found at www.nationalequalityrally.org.