News Briefing

Memorial celebration to honor LGBT leader

Friends and colleagues of Larry Frankel are invited to a memorial celebration in his honor at 10:30 a. m. Oct. 10 at Independence Visitors Center, Sixth and Market streets.

Frankel, the former longtime legislative director of the Pennsylvania American Civil Liberties Union, died last month in Washington, D.C. Autopsy results are still pending, but a close friend of Frankel said the medical examiner indicated his death was not suspicious and could have been the result of an asthma attack, heart attack or dehydration, or a combination of the three.

Guests will be invited to share their memories of Frankel and light fare will be offered during the celebration, which will be held on the mezzanine level of the Visitors Center. There are entrances to an underground parking lot on Fifth and Sixth streets. Children are welcome, and guests are invited to add color to their outfits, which Frankel frequently did.

Gifts can be made in Frankel’s name to American Civil Liberties Union, P.O. Box 40008, Philadelphia, PA 19106 or to The Fairmount Park Conservancy, 1617 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 1670, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

Summit for LGBT business owners

Local LGBT chamber of commerce Independence Business Alliance and the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce will host the first regional Supplier Diversity Summit, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 2 at PNC Bank Conference Center, 1600 Market St.

The summit will provide workshops for LGBT-owned businesses about the importance of getting their LGBT certifications from the NGLCC, and will also host activities geared toward mainstream corporations to raise awareness about incorporating LGBT-certified businesses into their supplier-diversity programs.

For information, visit www.independencebusinessalliance.com.

Youth invited to career, education fair

The local nonprofit Educational Justice Coalition, which seeks to provide supportive, safe spaces for LGBT youth, is hosting a Youth Empowerment Fair from 4-8 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Atlantic Building, 10th floor, 260 S. Broad St.

The event will allow local LGBT youth to network with employers, school representatives and healthcare providers, who will provide them with tools and tips for future success.

For information, e-mail [email protected].

Come out for suicide prevention

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention will host “Walk to Prevent Suicide: 2009 Out of the Darkness” to raise awareness of and funds for suicide-prevention efforts, beginning at 10 a.m. Oct. 4 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, 1 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.

Walkers can register until 11:45 p.m. the night before the walk at www.outofthedarkness.org. Check-in begins at 9 a.m.

For more information, contact Pat at (215) 746-7256 or [email protected].

— Jen Colletta

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