This Fourth of July weekend, the LGBT civil rights movement celebrates its 50th Anniversary. On July 4th, 1965 a group of gay and lesbian activists called the East Coast Homophile Organizations (ECHO), organized a demonstration in front of Philadelphia's Independence Hall demanding equality for homosexuals.
Occurring annually from 1965 to 1969, these pioneers laid the foundation for the LGBT civil rights movement, the Stonewall Riots, and the first New York Pride Parade. To commemorate this anniversary, LGBT activists, celebrities, and allies, will be gathering in Philadelphia from July 2nd – 5th for ceremonies, parties, fireworks, panels, and a gayborhood street festival.
Being honored as part of the celebration is James Obergefell, the plaintiff in the recent Supreme Court ruling which made marriage equality the law of the land. He is joined by other LGBT leaders including Edie Windsor, Judy Shepard, Bishop Gene Robinson, and Wanda Sykes.
All week, museums throughout Philadelphia will be featuring LGBT History Exhibits. On Friday, Live Nation is sponsoring the 50th Anniversary Concert at Penn's Landing, and Saturday the organization is holding a VIP Anniversary Lunch at Independence Visitor's Center. On Saturday, Wanda Skyes will be the Master of Ceremonies at The Anniversary Ceremony which will recognize and commemorate activists that have fought for LGBT equality. The weekend will come to a fabulous close with an all-day street festival in Philadelphia's Gayborhood!
Join GLAAD and others to celebrate 50 years of activism and the strides made in the movement for LGBT equality! For tickets and a complete schedule of events, visit the event page.