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Equality Forum

Welcome! This year Equality Forum salutes Canada and spotlights the many advances the country has made over the years to ensure civil rights for its GLBT citizens. While we share a common continent and culture, Canada leads with national discrimination protection, same sex marriage rights and domestic partner benefits for gays and lesbians.

Nineteen executive directors of major GLBT organizations and more than 20 prominent Canadians gather this week in

Philadelphia. Panels encompass issues affecting GLBT culture, including the not-to-be-missed "Presidential Election 2004," "From Monarchy to Equality," and the annual "International Gay and Lesbian Leaders Symposium." In addition, the gay-themed musical fairy tale Zanna, Don't! premieres at Philadelphia's preeminent performing arts. venue, The Kimmel Center.

All of these events, plus parties, our BB"Q," Canadian Cabaret and our annual SundayOUT! festival, are outlined on the following pages. We at Equality Forum hope to inspire and educate you. Please join us in Philadelphia, the birthplace of freedom, to celebrate our international GLBT community and our march to equality.

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Malcolm Lazin

Executive Director Equality Forum

Equality Forum

Equality Forum is the largest regional, national and international Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) civil rights forum, working to create understanding about homophobia and its multifaceted impact on individuals, families and society. Each year, in addition to promoting and discussing GLBT organizations and issues, Equality Forum highlights a Featured Nation and explores that country's GLBT culture, social issues and advancements in civil rights. Equality Forum embraces a number of projects throughout the year, including the production of the documentary films Gay Pioneers and JIM IN BOLD.

Equality Forum is a nonprofit and 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Philadelphia, the site of some of the earliest gay civil rights protests and where today the pursuit of equality is paramount.