Equality Forum Hosts Valentine’s Ball for Marriage Recognition

The Equality Forum is taking advantage of Valentine’s Day this year to raise awareness and funds around an issue that’s particularly paramount to Executive Director Malcolm Lazin: marriage recognition.

The local LGBT civil rights organization is throwing a Valentine’s Day Ball in support of Palladino v. Corbett, a federal lawsuit initiated by the Equality Forum that asks the state of Pennsylvania to recognize same-sex marriages that were performed in marriage equality states.

At the heart of the case is Cara Palladino and Isabelle Parker. The pair married in Massachusetts, but upon moving to Pennsylvania to take on jobs at Bryn Mawr, they lost many of their marriage rights because — get ready to get angry — PA statue views their union as void.

The Equality Forum has put together a pretty impressive legal team, including powerhouse civil rights attorney Mary Bonauto. Lazin says Judge Mary A. McLaughlin, who Barney Frank once coined the Thurgood Marshall of the LGBT community — should decide the motion in the spring.

The Valentine’s Day Equality Ball (of which, full disclosure, G Philly is a media sponsor) will raise money to help cover legal costs and a public education initiative to get the word out about the case. The party will feature an open bar and food from local restaurants and catering companies (Zahav, Amis, Fork) and a live band. D. Bruce Hanes and Rev. Frank Schaefer will be honored for their efforts to bring LGBT equality to the state of Pennsylvania.

The event takes place on Fri., Feb. 14 at the Liberty View Ballroom (Sixth and Market streets.) Admission is $100, and tickets can be purchased here.