Today at the Equality Forum

(L-R) Out Maryland House of Delegates member Mary Washington will speak at the Elected LGBT Officials Panel, Mauckingbird Theatre Company kicks off its gender-bending take on Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet and Tel Aviv drag superstar Osher Sabag performs at Tabu.

It’s Day 2 of the Equality Forum, and things are rolling right on along with a schedule of panels, parties and theatrical productions that begin at 4 p.m. Here’s a more-specific rundown: 

ELECTED LGBT OFFICIALS PANEL
The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund‘s (GLVF) Jeff Spitko moderates this panel that will be presided over by recently elected and “seasoned” LGBT politicians speaking about their experience being out-and-proud in their respective government jobs. Among those speaking will be Pennsylvania state representatives Mike Fleck and Brian Sims, Maryland House of Delegates member Mary Washington and the country’s youngest openly gay mayor, Alex Morse of Holyoke, Mass. 4 p.m., free, Kirby Auditorium at the National Constitution Center, 525 Arch St.

NATIONAL POLITICS PANEL
This year will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the most important for LGBT civil rights, which, by association, makes this panel one of the most important at this year’s Equality Forum. A team of experts will chat about the political landscape as it concerns rights for LGBT people in the country, placing particular emphasis on marriage equality, ENDA and immigration. Chuck Wolfe of the GLVF will moderate the host of panelists, including Gill Action Fund‘s Kirk Fordham, National Black Justice Coalition‘s Sharon Lettman-Hicks and Washington Blade editor Kevin Nash. 5:30 p.m., free, Kirby Auditorium at the National Constitution Center.

SHABBAT SERVICE
Washington D.C. JCC Gay and Lesbian Outreach and Engagement Program founder Stuart Kurlander delivers a sermon to bless folks as they head into the more-debaucherous nighttime portion of the Equality Forum. 7:30 p.m., free, William Way Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.

SHAKESPEARE’S R&J
Peter Reynolds directs Mauckingbird Theatre Company‘s gender-bending version of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. It follows four young men at a boarding school who come across the story of the world’s most famous star-crossed lover, and decide to act out the text together. What results is an intriguing examination of love, gender and sexuality, and I think someone dies at the end. 8 p.m.; Sat., May 4, 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., $15, Caplan Theater at the University of the Arts, 211 S. Broad St.

14TH ANNUAL LGBT ART EXHIBIT
In photographic series “Thoamada,” Cambodian photog Vuth Lyno offers a thoughtful glimpse at LGBT life in his homeland. Through Sun., May 5, free, William Way Community Center.

DRAG SHOW AND PARTY
Tel Aviv drag sensation Osher Sabag returns to the Equality Forum for the second year in a row for another rowdy romp at Tabu. The party will be hosted by the Goddess Isis and will feature performances by Lady Poison, Omyra Lynn and Tammy Faymous. 8 p.m., $5, Tabu Lounge and Sports Bar, 200 S. 12th St.

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