Jeanne Manford, Leading Gay Rights Ally And Founder Of PFLAG, Dies At 92

[Fearless]

Jeanne Manford, the founder of PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) and an all-around pioneering straight ally in the LGBT rights movement, has died at 92.

Manford died at her Daly City, Calif. home and had been in declining health for some time, daughter Suzanne Swan confirmed.

“She is known to thousands of people as the mother of the straight ally movement, but to me –- she was my mother," Ms. Swan said in an email statement. "She was someone who would always do the right thing, the good thing. She supported all people, and that meant so much to us growing up.”

Born Jeanne Sobelson on Dec. 4, 1920 in Queens, N.Y., Manford became active on behalf of LGBT rights in 1972 after her son Morty was beaten during a Gay Activists Alliance demonstration. After Morty's attack, Manford penned a letter to the editor of The New York Post, declaring "I have a homosexual son and I love him."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/08/jeanne-manford-pflag-founder-dead_n_2433626.html

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You made the world a better, kinder, happier place for millions and you will be sorely missed.



Rest in peace.

[MotherPetrie]

1. RIP!!!

[LeftofObama]

2. RIP Ms. Manford.

And thank you!

[Smarmie Doofus]

3. I met her. She came ( w. PFLAG) to the school where I taught about 4 years ago.

God... she must have been 88.

I told her I remembered Morty.... a prominent NYC media presence in the early days of LGBT activism.

That's a shame.

But what a great life.

[Smarmie Doofus]

4. Link to a link to youtube tribute.

She was a teacher and unionist also.

Who knew.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022166793

[joeybee12]

5. RIP...a great example of an "ordinary" person changing so much.

KNR