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| Equality Forum and Sapphire Fund Announce Collaboration |
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| PHILADELPHIA — October 10, 2005 — With a combined draw of 50,000 – 75,000 people, Philadelphia’s two largest gay events, Equality Forum and Blue Ball, have joined forces to create a week-long human rights forum featuring panel discussions, symposia, films, special events, concerts and a weekend of dance events that will position the City of Brotherly Love as the “must do” American city for GLBT travelers in the spring. The week will kick off on Monday, May 1, 2006 and will culminate in a celebratory weekend featuring the Blue Ball main event on Saturday, May 6, followed by the Sunday Out street festival, a concert and a dance party. Gay men and women flock to Miami’s White Party in November; New York’s biggest gay week culminates with the Gay Pride Parade in late June and Montreal’s Divers/Cité draws hundreds of thousands of participants to the city in August. The partnership between Equality Forum and Sapphire Fund, the organization that produces Blue Ball, establishes Philadelphia’s place on this elite list of gay travel destinations. Over 80 regional, state, national and international GLBT organizations will participate, making the week an excellent networking opportunity as well as fun and educational. “We are absolutely thrilled to partner with such an outstanding national organization,” said Brad Richards, president of Sapphire Fund. “As a national event, Equality Forum brings a wealth of educational and cultural opportunities to the GLBT community. Blue Ball has always been the premier dance event in the mid-Atlantic region. Together, we will provide a one-of-a-kind experience for gay travelers while raising much-needed funds for organizations serving Philadelphia’s GLBT community.” Malcolm Lazin, executive director of Equality Forum, stated, “Blue Ball’s ‘Best of Philly’ parties intensify the celebratory impact of Equality Forum 2006. Equality Forum commends the Sapphire Fund for donating Blue Ball’s net proceeds to GLBT charities.” David Jefferys of The Altus Group feels the partnership will add to the momentum of the wildly successful “Get Your History Straight and Your Nightlife Gay” advertising campaign that his firm launched on behalf of the city in 2004. “Philadelphia has made a million-dollar commitment to bringing gay and lesbian tourists to the city. We are one of the most gay-friendly metropolitan areas in the country, and GLBT travelers are starting to become more aware of this,” Jefferys said. “The combined power of these two events will bring more visitors to Philadelphia than any other annual event and provide the single most compelling reason for gay visitors to come to Philly.” In addition to the programs and events presented by the two organizations, visitors to Philadelphia can enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes that make the city famous. May is prime time for such popular activities as exploring Old City’s art galleries and hip nightspots, seeing the Liberty Bell and the National Constitution Center, taking in an exhibit at the world-famous Philadelphia Museum of Art, or biking along historic Boat House Row—and it’s always a good time for a cheesesteak or Philly pretzel. There are multiple award-winning hotels that are close to all the action, but travelers are advised to book early as the week is sure to be a sell-out. A free Gay & Lesbian City Navigaytor Travel Guide is available to download at www.gophila.com/gay to assist visitors planning a trip. About Sapphire Fund Sapphire Fund was established in 2002 to support the efforts of organizations contributing to the health and well-being of Philadelphia's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community and those who support them. It is a volunteer organization, conceived and run by members and supporters of the Philadelphia GLBT community. The Fund is an outgrowth of the long-standing annual Blue Ball fundraising event, which was first held in 1991. For more information, visit www.sapphirefund.org Sapphire Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. About Equality Forum Equality Forum is a national GLBT organization headquartered in Philadelphia. Equality Forum undertakes high impact national initiatives, produces documentary films, highlights GLBT history and presents annually the largest national and international GLBT civil rights forum. Equality Forum 2005 had 100 programs, parties and special events with 105 regional, state, national and international organizations participating. For more information, visit www.equalityforum.com. |
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