Four Day Celebration in Philly for 50th Anniversary of LGBT Civil Rights Fight

Philadelphia isn't ready to cede the title of "birthplace of the LGBT movement" to New York: the City of Brotherly Love is throwing a four-day celebration to commemorate protests that took place there as early as 1965.

Held each Fourth of July from 1965 and 1969, the protests were called "Annual Reminders," and called for legislation that enshrined equality for all sexual minorities (we're still waiting for those workplace and housing protections). The peaceful protests were organized by LGBT pioneers Frank Kameny and Barbara Gittings, both of whom have been recognized by institutions like the Smithsonian, the Library of Congress, and the New York Public Library; Gittings has a street named after her in Philadelphia.

In honor of the anniversary, Philadelphia will host panels on equality, screenings of LGBT history documentaries, and a festival in Washington Square West, the city's gayborhood; there will also be no shortage of parties.

"The 50th Anniversary will commemorate the Gay Pioneers and celebrate 50 years of civil rights progress," Equality Forum executive director and 50th anniversary chair Malcolm Lazin said in a statement. "When 40 activists protested on the Fourth of July, 1965, it was the largest-ever gathering of gays and lesbians petitioning for equality. The 50th Anniversary is an inclusive celebration. It will reflect the leadership and diversity of the LGBT civil rights movement. The organizing committee has solicited advice from grassroots to national organizations and will highlight movement leadership throughout the celebration."

More info here.