Gay Rights Trailblazers Could be Honored in Queens

Gay and lesbian rights have come a long way since the 60's and 70's. And now, New York Congressman Joe Crowley wants to honor the work of a Queens couple who paved the way for change.

In 1972, Jeanne Manford marched with her son Morty in New York City's Pride March. She carried a sign that read "Parents of Gays Unite in Support of Our Children." This was two months after her son had been beaten while protesting media coverage of gay rights.  Manford was among the first parents to publicly support their gay child.

A year later in 1973, Manford and her husband Jules formed Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, or PFLAG. The organization started in Queens, but now has chapters across the country. PFLAG has also expanded to include bisexuals, transgender and gender non-conforming individuals.

Manford died in 2013, but had continued her advocacy throughout her life and served as the grand marshal of Queen's first LGBT Pride Parade in 1993.

That's why Congressman Crowley's proposed to rename the Jackson Heights Post Office in the couple's honor. He announced legislation to do just that on Friday with other state and local lawmakers in Queens.

"What they demonstrated [was] that love knows no boundaries and that not only was it ok... for parents of gay children to love their children, but it's really normal and natural to do that," Crowley said.

Crowley said the Manfords' work changed the hearts and minds of people throughout Queens and the rest of city, calling them trailblazers. He said he hopes the new name will be a reminder of how far the LGBTQ movement has come, and how far it still needs to go.

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