April 28-May 4, 2005

mixpicks

All Things Being Equal

by Deesha Dyer

festival

The rainbow flags in honor of Equality Forum won't wave on city flagpoles too much longer, but the remaining days are jam-packed with events, panels and, of course, the annual closing outdoor diva stroll — this year taking over Old City instead of Locust Street. Dining Out for Life, today celebrating its 15th anniversary, once again satisfies hunger while serving those in need. Participating restaurants will donate 33 percent of the diner's total bill to ActionAIDS, an organization that serves people in the Greater Philadelphia region living with HIV/AIDS. On Friday, Camden's the place to be, with a lecture by author Thom Nickels and an exhibit of photographs and artifacts about LGBT life in South Jersey. Anyone invite Mr. McGreevey? (5:30-8:30 p.m., free, Walt Whitman Arts Center, Second and Cooper sts.) Later that night in Old City, Congregation Beth Ahavah will present "When Worlds Collide" (8 p.m., free, 8 Letitia St.), a Shabbat service featuring Khalida Saed as she speaks out about living as a lesbian Muslim. A documentary about the first organized LGBT civil rights demonstrations, Gay Pioneers, will screen Friday night at the Prince Music Theater (10 p.m., $10, 1412 Chestnut St.), followed by a meet-and-greet with director Glenn Holsten and two faces behind the movement, Barbara Gittings and Frank Kameny. Weekend highlights include the Lavender Light Gospel Choir, a gay and lesbian ensemble that ministers through traditional African-American song (Sat., 8 p.m., $15, Prince Music Theater), and the national closing concert headlined by '80s icon Cyndi Lauper, and dance queens Amber and Jade Starling (Sun., 5:30 -8 p.m., $5, Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, Columbus Blvd. and Chestnut St.). As a week of education, laughter and camaraderie come to a close, there are still reminders — like current legislation — that the struggle for LGBT equality continues.

Equality Forum, through May 1, 215-732-3378, www.equalityforum.com.