Philly Pride is proud to host the 2009 NERP Conference

and welcome our regional gay pride organizations

to the City of Brotherly (and Sisterly) Love

The goal of the Philly Pride committee for the 2009 NERP conference is to get 100% attendance from all NERP affiliated groups. To accomplish this, we have a multi-layered plan:

(1)  We are going to keep the conference fees to a minimum (they are $100 -- a bargain!)

(2)  We will offer scholarships to any group that needs it (you will need to contact us)

(3)  We will secure host housing to avoid the hotel expense (again, you need to contact us)

(4)  The host hotel, the Alexander Inn, will be offering the lowest cost rooms in the City.  We have the entire hotel, so you only need to mention that you are coming to the conference.  The cost of $130 per room is low for Philadelphia, which has a deficit in hotel room space.
(5) We have deliberately restricted the time-span of the conference to avoid an additional night's lodging.  Economic times are tough, and even tougher for non-profits!

Already Registered are the following committees:

Atlanta Pride, Boston Pride, Camden Area Health Educ. Center,

Central New York Pride, Chesapeake Pride Festival, Heritage of Pride,

Jersey City Lesbian and Gay Outreach, Jersey Pride,

Northampton Pride, Pride Alliance of Long Island,

Pride Festival of Central Pa.,

Santa Fe Pride, Worchester Pride

Tentative Agenda

Friday, March 13 (6 to 8 p.m.)

Special VIP trip to Billy Penn at the top of City Hall (starting
            5pm)

The observation deck is at 500 feet on the world's tallest masonry building.  It is not open after dusk, so you will see a sight that is never seen by the citizens of Philadelphia!

Opening Reception, City Council Caucas Room (401) at City Hall (5-9 pm).  Light refreshments and beverages.

Mark Segal, Publisher, Philadelphia Gay News

Gloria Casarez, Director of LGBT Affairs, Office of the Mayor.  Hon. Michael Nutter, Mayor of the City of Philadelphia

Start of Gayborhood Scavenger Hunt

NE Stair - down

A few milestones: 

(1) Philadelphia's City Hall is the largest municipal building in the world as well as the tallest building in the world built without a steel superstructure.

  (2) Alexander Calder's statute of William Penn is the tallest statute atop any building in the world. 
(3) The floating staircases which are 7 feet wide rise over 120 feet into the air without support.  

City Hall is a short 3 block walk up Broad Street (Avenue of the Arts) past the staggeringly beautiful Kimmel Center.  As a matter of fact, in consideration of the guests to our fair City, the host hotel, City Hall, the William Way LGBT Center (location of the workshops), and even the location for Saturday's dinner at the National Liberty Museum, are all within walking distance.  See Philly from the ground up!

 

Alexander Inn (the host hotel)

The Alexander Inn, located at 13th and Spruce Streets, is our host hotel and every room will be designated for a NERP conference attendee.  It is one block from the hotel to the William Way LGBT Center, a short distance from City Hall, and in the heart of the Gayborhood.  It is gay owned and operated.

Saturday, March 14

                      Breakfast on your own
9 a.m.          Welcome by Tami Sortman, President

                                Philadelphia Gay Tourist Caucus

                      Opening Plenary

                      Doreen DeJesus and Keri Aulita

                              Regional Representatives

                     

10 a.m.        Workshop #1      Spirituality and Pride

                      Rev. Pat. Bumgardner, Pastor, MCC N.Y.

                      Workshop #2      Growing Up in Pride


11:30 a.m.  Workshop#3        It's My Pride Too

                           Cecilia Brown, President, Prolife    

                            Alliance of Gays and Lesbians

                            Chris Alston, Michael Hinson
                            Phila. Black Gay Pride

                      Workshop #4      Small Pride Round Table


1 p.m.          Lunch and Gay History Tour, including a

                      Rocky run up the Art Museum steps as
                      well as a traditional Philly cheese steak
                      (Geno's or Pat's) eaten on the streets of
                      South Philadelphia.


5:30 p.m.    Cocktails at "PHAG"  (meeting spot for

                     Banquet Dinner)1225 Walnut Street

7 p.m.          National Liberty Museum

                     Banquet Dinner
                            (Theme -- Colonial Attire)

                     Keynote Speakers are Thomas Jefferson

                     and Benjamin Franklin on Gay Life in the

                     1700's
                           We have low-cost ideas coming for
                           the required Colonial dress.
 

10 p.m.       Gayborhood Scavenger Hunt continues

                

William Way

LGBT Center

 

 

Sunday, March 15
          

          9:30 a.m.            Closing Plenary/Breakfast

                                         

 

Sign up for the NERP conference online!

Any Pride group needing financial help to attend should contact us at

NERPphilly@aol.com