On the Fourth of July, State Senator Anthony H. Williams joined James Obergefell (plaintiff in the Supreme Court marriage equality case), Edie Windsor, Judy Shepard, Wanda Sykes, leaders and entertainers for the National LGBT 50th Anniversary Ceremony.image1

The four-day National LGBT 50th Anniversary Celebration included LGBT history exhibits, panels, parties, National Interfaith Service, “Gay Pioneers” film screening, concert, fireworks, street festival in the gayborhood and more. The Celebration took place just days after the Supreme Court marriage equality decision in Obergefell v. Hodges.

The LGBT civil rights movement began when activists from New York, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia protested for equality each Fourth of July from 1965 to 1969 in front of Independence Hall and Liberty Bell. It was the first time that activists from more than one city openly identified as gay and called for equality. The demonstrations, which were called “Annual Reminders,” were spearheaded by Washington’s Frank Kamenyand Philadelphia’s Barbara Gittings. Kameny and Gittings are recognized as the father and mother of the LGBT civil rights movement.

For photos and more from this historical event, please visit: http://www.lgbt50.org/event/national-lgbt-50th-anniversary-ceremony