Slice of Life: How a Queens Home Became a Cradle of the Gay Rights Movement

[chance1]

My brother forwarded a link to this to me today - I read it on my iPhone as I waited for the subway - freezing today - I read this and smiled

about a family in Queens - not too far from where I grew up - that were way ahead of the gay is ok curve

The story was triggered by the death of the mom in the family, who supported her gay son Morty and opened up the family home to gay youth who had been abandoned by their families. It's a fascinating and uplifting story - here's a few snippets but I recommend a full read - it will make you smile

The Manfords’ door on 171st Street in Queens was always open, especially if you were a young gay man whose own family had closed the door on you.The rambling three-story house between 33rd and 35th Avenues doesn’t look like a cradle of the gay rights movement. But it became just that in 1972, when Dr. Jules Manford and his wife, Jeanne, publicly supported their son Morty, 21, a member of the Gay Activists Alliance who had been badly beaten for his political advocacy. They also offered themselves as informal counselors to gay children and their parents. Their initiative led to the creation of a group called Parents of Gays, which grew over time into the national organization Pflag (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)

“It was a very Ozzie-and-Harriet-type house,” recalled Allen Roskoff, a friend of Morty Manford. “It was a great feeling of warmth for people involved with the gay-rights movement to be in a house with parents who embraced them.” Ethan Geto, another friend, reached for a different homey analogy. “Jeanne,” he said, “was like the den mother for a lot of gay young people who were thrown out of their homes, who were rejected by their parents, who were having terrible anguish over what to do or who were eager to come out but terrified of the consequences.”

After her son Marty was assaulted at a pro gay rally while police watched, Mrs. Mumford responded

Mrs. Manford wrote a letter to The New York Post, then a liberal newspaper. She criticized the police for allowing the attacks at the Inner Circle. Even more important was her simple declaration: “I am proud of my son.” The letter, published April 29, 1972, placed the Manfords under a national spotlight. It is among Mrs. Manford’s papers at the New York Public Library.

I'm not doing the story justice - I can tell as I read this

READ IT

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/20...ghts-movement/

[Sausy]

What a great woman and a wonderful family. Sadly they had to deal with a number of personal tragedies...but they accomplished so much and stand as a symbol of strength, courage, and positivity that regular people can help make a big difference in life..that good people standing up for what is right have more power than anyone who stands in the way of justice and equality. Thank you Jeanne and all the Mamfords for being there for us and helping so much in the fight for nothing less than full and equal rights under the law.Also thanks to you and your brother, chance, for this fascinating and uplifting slice of history, and the power of everyday people to help shape it for the better.

[medic1]

What a wonderfull woman she must have been , the best way to remember her is by the continuation of her thoughts and actions .

[rareboy]

The Manfords are among the unsung heroes of the North American homo rights movements.

[andysayshi]

Awesome story .. and a tear jerker. Thanks Chance, great post.

[palbert]

Thanks Chance for this edifying post. I did not know of this. I learned something important today.

[CowboyBob]

I think it was Rachel who featured this story complete with vintage video.

A remarkable woman!

[Lestatnj]

Thanx Chance. Great article, great family

[JB3]

I think it was Rachel who featured this story complete with vintage video.

A remarkable woman!

Yes! I watched that one night with my parents. Rachel did a great job with the story. She managed to get my mother to cry.

[CowboyBob]

For those of you who missed it, here's Rachel Maddow's video on Jeanne Manford and the story of PFLAG.

[chance1]

^ awesome . Thx for finding Bob

[CTF]

Awesome story! Thanks for sharing chance1!

I learn something new everyday.

And CowboyBob thanks for sharing that youtube clip.

I had to share with my family, friends and their kids on my FB page.