Your Day-by-Day Guide to LGBT Anniversary Events in Philly

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This week, Philadelphia is hosting a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of LGBT Civil Rights. Yes, after last week’s marriage quality festivities, we might be “partied out,” but there’s a host of both free and ticketed events throughout the city that are worth noting. Plus, there’s quite a few “hands in the pot,” so to speak.

Below is a roundup that outlines the festivities from the LGBT 50th Anniversary program, plus other events by a wide array of local organizations, including The Dr. Mangus Hirschfeld Fund, William Way Community Center, Stimulus, The Welcoming Committee, and more.

Thursday, July 2

• Wreath Laying at Gay Pioneers Historical Marker, 2:15 pm, free, Independence Mall, 6th and Chestnut Streets
• Christ Church Religious Freedom Tour, 5:15 pm, free, Christ Church, 20 North American Street
• National Legal Panel, featuring R. Bradley Sears, James Esseks, Douglas Hallward-Driemeier, Daniel Vail, and Kenji Yoshino, 6:30 pm, free, National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 South Independence Mall East
• National Politics Panel, featuring Kevin Naff, Kirk Fordham, Kate Kendell, Stacey Long Simmons, and Winnie Stachelberg, 8:15 pm, free, Congress Hall, 520 Chestnut Street
• Philly Drag Wars, 9 pm, $7, Voyeur, 1221 St. James Street
• 50th Anniversary Party, 10 pm, $50, National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 South Independence Mall East
• Hot Mess American Summer Dance Party, 10 pm, no cover, Medusa Lounge, 27 South 12th Street

Friday, July 3

• LGBT Equality History Panel Discussion, featuring Evan Wolfson, Lillian Faderman, David Carter, John James, Ada Bello, Paul Kuntzler, and Randy Wicker, 12:30 pm, free, National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street
• National Interfaith Service, featuring Jonathan Allen, Rabbi Linda Holtzman, Rev. Jeffrey Jordan-Pickett, Tynan Power, Rev. Susan Richardson, Bishop Gene Robinson, Rev. Timothy Safford, and Rabbi Margot Stein, 4 pm, free, Christ Church, 20 North American Street
• Live Nation 50th Anniversary Concert, featuring dumblonde, FANCY, Ferras, GoGo Morrow, Jonathan Allen, Adore Delano, Mimi Imfurst, Jonathan Hernandez, Zsa Zsa St. James, Satine Harlow, Ariel Versace, Iris Spectre, Roxxy Starr, Aloe Vera, Trish Talapia, and Cleo Phatra, 5 pm, $19.65, River Stage at Great Plaza, Chestnut Street and Columbus Boulevard
• “Gay Pioneers” Screening, featuring Tracy Baim, Eliza Byard, Malcolm Lazin, Michael Long, and Marc Stein, 6 pm, free, WHYY, 150 North 6th Street
• Guerrilla Queer Bar, 9 pm, location TBA

Saturday, July 4

• Original Protestors Honored at Independence Hall 4th of July Ceremony, 10 am, free, Independence Hall, 520 Chestnut Street
• 50th Anniversary VIP Lunch, featuring Jack Ginter, Judy Shepard, Lieutenant Governor Michael Stack, State Senator Anthony Williams, and Edith Windsor, 11:39 am, $250, Independence Vistor Center, 1 North Independence Mall West
• National LGBT 50th Anniversary Ceremony, featuring Jonathan Allen, Eric Alva, Selisse Berry, Tamika Butler, John Holmes III, Kate Kendell, Malcolm Lazin, Cynthia MacLeod, Aisha Moodie-Mills, GoGo Morrow, Walter Naegle, James Obergefell, R. Bradley Sears, Judy Shepard, Amanda Simpson, Wanda Sykes, Jorge Valencia, and Edith Windsor, 2:15 pm, free, Independence Hall, 520 Chestnut Street
• VIP Cocktail Reception, featuring James Obergefell, 4:30 pm, $200, Stratus Rooftop Lounge at Hotel Monaco, 433 Chestnut Street

Sunday, July 5

• Philly Youth Pride, 11 am, free, William Way Community Center, 1315 Spruce Street
• Annual Reminders Street Party, 12 pm, free, various locations throughout the Gayborhood
• Queer Women’s Block Party, 12 pm, free, 13th and Chancellor Streets
• Queer Women’s After Party, 4 pm, $5, Franky Bradley’s, 1320 Chancellor Street