PHILADELPHIA, April 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- "Equality Forum 2012, our 20th anniversary celebrates the transformation from a groundbreaking regional LGBT conference into the premier and largest annual national and international LGBT summit," stated Malcolm Lazin, Executive Director.

Equality Forum 2012 with Israel as the Featured Nation includes panels, parties and special events.

25 Panels including:

• Featured Nation: Israel – Moderated by Israel native Nurit Shein, Executive Director, Mazzoni LGBT Health Center, with leading Israeli panelists, including openly gay Tel Aviv City Council Member Yaniv Weizman, Doubletree Hotel, Thursday, May 3.
• National Politics Panel – Moderated by Chuck Wolfe, President and CEO, Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, with panelists Clarke Cooper, Executive Director, Log Cabin Republicans; Patrick Guerriero, Founding Partner, Civitas Public Affairs Group; Rebecca Isaacs, Executive Director, Equality Federation; and Andrew Tobias, Treasurer, Democratic National Committee (DNC), National Constitution Center, Friday, May 4.
• National Military Panel – Members of OutServe discuss challenges LGBT military personnel face after the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," Doubletree Hotel, Saturday, May 5.

Seven Special Events including:

• 13th Annual Gay and Lesbian Art Exhibit with Israeli photographer David Adika, Tuesday, May 1 through Sunday, May 6, Gershman Y.
• International Equality Dinner honoring Houston Mayor Annise Parker with the 17th annual International Role Model Award and NBCUniversal with the 10th annual International Business Leadership Award. Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren is the Keynote Speaker; MSNBC Anchor Thomas Roberts is the Master of Ceremonies, National Museum of American Jewish History, Saturday, May 5.
• SundayOUT! at The Piazza, with more than 150 vendors, artisans, galleries, bars, boutiques, cafés and restaurants in an Italian inspired open-air plaza, SundayOUT! includes national recording artist Neon Hitch, Fuego Dance Company, Osher Sabag, an Israeli drag performer, Israeli pop star Shorty and Tel Aviv DJ's., The Piazza, Northern Liberties, Sunday, May 6.

Six Parties:

• NBCUniversal Welcome Party at Vedge – Thursday, May 3rd
• Drag Show & Party at Tabu – Friday, May 4th
• Stimulus Party – Friday, May 4th
• Girl Fever at Sisters – Saturday, May 5th
• Men's Party at Voyeur – Saturday, May 5th
• SundayOUT! Tea Dance at Gunners Run – Sunday, May 6th

For more information, visit equalityforum.com.

SOURCE Equality Forum