(Unofficial) Guide to LGBTQ Events and Programs

at 

The 2016 Democratic National Convention

Philadelphia, PA

July 23-28, 2016

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Welcome Delegates & DNC Convention Goers,

My name is Brian Sims and I am the State Representative for Philadelphia’s Center City District, including our beloved Gayborhood. I’ve been in office about four years now and while I’m the only openly LGBT member of our General Assembly, I’m happy to report that Philadelphia is legally the most LGBT-friendly city in America, and you’re going to truly enjoy your time here.

Attached is a very unofficial guide to many of the LGBT events happening throughout the City during the Convention. We’ve been eagerly preparing for your time here in the City of Brotherly Love & Sisterly Affection and we have so many fun and important events planned during the week.

Please consider this your invite to all of these events. Some require an RSVP and some just require a good mood and a smile! Remember, the Convention is a bit of a moving target so times, dates, and locations are subject to change and I’ll do my best to make changes and updates.

Lastly, lets make sure that the most LGBT- inclusive Democratic National Convention in history, in the most LGBT-friendly city in the nation, ends with the endorsement of the next great Champion for LGBT Equality in the White House!

 

Sincerely,

signtuare

 

 

Brian Sims (D-182)

House of Representatives

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Saturday, July 23, 2016

 7:30 – 9:30 PM

LGBT & Allies Convention Kick-Off with Clinton Campaign Manager Robby Mook & Rep. Brian Sims

Gayborhood, Center City, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Sponsorship Opportunities. Tickets available online.    Facebook Page

Please out Pennsylvania State Representative Brian Sims for a very special evening with Clinton Campaign Manager, Robby Mook as they discuss LGBT issues across the Commonwealth and the nation as the 2016 Democratic National Convention begins here in Philadelphia.

This is an incredibly unique opportunity to speak to the architect of the Clinton Campaign and to both share important information with Robby Mook and learn valuable insight into the Campaign’s goals and objectives for the LGBT communities during the Campaign and in the Clinton White House!

 

Sunday, July 24, 2016

12:30-3:00 PM

Pre-LGBT DNC Welcome Happy Hour Brunch

Frankey Bradley’s

1320 Chancellor St., Philadelphia, PA 19107

No RSVP needed. No tickets needed.

Renee Gilinger and friends are hosting an informal pre-welcome party brunch at Franky Bradley’s, one of the Gayborhood’s newest, coolest venues just around the corner from Woody’s where we’ll all be headed for what is shaping up to be a really fun welcome party for our visiting LGBT DNC delegates. If you’re a delegate, you’re in for some awesome free drinks and grub courtesy of our fab host committee and liquor sponsor.

The Democratic National Convention is coming to Philadelphia! LibertyPA, EqualityPA, Liberty City, and the Office of Rep. Brian Sims have teamed up to welcome LGBT Delegates from around the nation as they arrive in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection. Join us at these events which are free and open to the public.

3:00 – 6:00 PM

LGBT DNC Welcome Happy Hour!

Woody’s Bar

202 S. 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

No RSVP needed. No tickets needed.
LibertyPA, EqualityPA, Liberty City, and Rep. Brian Sims have teamed up to welcome LGBT Delegates from around the nation as they arrive in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection.

Join us to welcome a record number of LGBT Delegates to Philadelphia for the Democratic National Convention. Drink specials + food trucks set up on 13th Street outside of the bar, including Tot Cart, Pbons Fresh Food Philly, and Waffles Wedges.

 

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

12:00-2:00 PM

DNC Convention: LGBT Caucus Meeting

 

1:00-4:00 PM

 Great Wall of Love – Blocking Westboro Baptist Church at Mazzoni

Mazzoni Center

809 Locust St. Philadelphia, PA 19107

No RSVP. No tickets.
A very peaceful blockade to shield the patients of the Mazzoni Center, an LGBTQIA-centric healthcare provider in Philadelphia.

The Westboro Baptist Church is coming to protest the Mazzoni Center, specifically our Trans* brothers and sisters who receive care there. The Great Wall of Love is not a counter protest; we are simply providing a barrier for the patients of the Mazzoni to shield them from the hate.

 

2:30 – 3:30 PM

Equal Voices for Democracy Reception Featuring Madeleine Albright

The Black Box at the Prince Theater

1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Please RSVP to James van der Klok at [email protected] or (202) 728-5516

 

Please join Madeleine Albright, the Chair of the National Democratic Institute, along with NDI Vice-Chair, Marc Nathanson, Senior Advisor, Jeremy Bernard, and LGBTI Global Leaders at a reception for Equal Voices for Democracy NDI’s LGBTI Political Inclusion Initiative

5:00 – 7:00 PM

Equality Pennsylvania’s “Equality in the Sky” Reception

Top of the Tower

1717 Arch St., 51st Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102

RSVP Required. Tickets Available.

Come to “Equality in the Sky” and enjoy the Martha Graham Cracker Cabaret while sipping brews in the sky garden on 51st Floor for Equality PA, the commonwealth’s leading organization advancing equality and opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.

 

Special guests include Rhode Island Congressman, David Cicilline from the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, as well as U.S. Senator Bob Casey, State Rep. Brian Sims, and former Pennsylvania Governor and Democratic National Committee Chair, Ed Rendell.

 

9:00 PM – 2:00 AM

DNC After Party at BOK

BOK Bar

1901 South 9th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19148

RSVP Requested. Free Tickets.

 

Join hosts Scout, Philadelphia 3.0, Rep. Brian Sims, and 5th Square along with political leaders invested in urban issues to celebrate the DNC with the most incredible view of the Philadelphia skyline.

 

10:00 PM – 2:00 AM

LGBT DNC Post Gavel Karaoke Party

Tavern on Camac,

243 S. Camac St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Sponsorship Opportunities Available.
Join us as the Convention recesses for day 2 for a Post Gavel Karaoke Party. Drink specials + fun convention-themed late night karaoke!
Wednesday, July 27, 2016

 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

 HRC/Victory Fund Delegate Luncheon

Hilton Philadelphia

Penn’s Landing

201 S Christopher Columbus Blvd

Philadelphia, PA 19106

 

DESCRIPTION- Pending

 

3:30 PM – 6:00 PM

Victory Fund Candidate Reception

Mayfield Social Club at Voyeur

1221 James St.

Philadelphia, PA 19107

Contact Courtney Mott at [email protected].
As the 2016 election cycle kicks into high gear, the Victory Fund wants to introduce you to some of the most exciting LGBT candidates running for office.

We hope you’ll join us for the Victory Fund Candidate Reception featuring Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Gov. Kate Brown, with a welcome from state Rep. Brian Sims. You’ll get to meet exciting LGBT candidates from around the country who are on the front lines in the fight for equality.

 

9:00 PM – 1:00 AM

Queers on the Avenue (QOTA) Block Party

Cantina & Bing Bing

1651 E. Passyunk Ave.

Philadelphia, PA

In honor of the DNC in town, July’s QOTA – Queers on The Avenue – will be taking to the street! Join the party featuring an outdoor bar at Cantina los Caballitos and food & drink specials.

We’ll also have live music, DJs, and vendors for our Passyunk Passeggiata Street Festival, which runs from 5:00 PM til 1:00 AM from Broad to Tasker Streets. Admission is free and all are welcome!

10:00 PM – 2:00 AM

United Against Hate

District N9NE

460 North 9th St.

Philadelphia, PA

RSVP Required

The Human Rights Campaign & Everytown for Gun Safety invite you to an evening of solidarity against hate and gun violence.

 

Thursday, July 28, 2016

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

LGBTQ People of Color Policy Briefing & Mixer

William Way LGBT Community Center

1315 Spruce St., Philadelphia, AP 19107

Join the Center for Black Equity, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA), and the Unión=Fuerza Latino Institute for a policy briefing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Aisha C. Moodie-Mills, President and CEO of the Victory Fund will moderate a dynamic panel that will address priority issues for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) People of Color. Stay after the briefing and enjoy a mixer for the panelists and guests.

 

12:00-2:00 PM 

DNC Convention: LGBT Caucus Meeting

 

5:00-10:00 PM

DNC Convention: Democratic Presidential Nomination!