10/15/2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Selma Mones PFLAG Queens Chapter P.O. Box 750212 Forest Hills, NY 11375-0212 (718)271-6663 info@pflag-queens.org http://www.pflag-queens.org/ http://www.pflag-queens.org/lunchon.html The PFLAG Queens Chapter Names New Award for Bisexual Activist Brenda Howard. Forest Hills, NY -- September 18th 2005 -- The Queens Chapter of PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) announces the creation of the "Brenda Howard Award" in memory of the late Bisexual activist Brenda Howard and that Lawrence Nelson, her partner of five years and a Chapter founder as its first recipient. Ms. Howard was a major figure in the modern LGBT rights movement dating back to Stonewall days. She coordinated the rally to commemorate the 1-month anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, and then created the Rally and March (Christopher Street Liberation Day March) that were celebrated at the 1-year anniversary. This became the annual New York City Pride March which spawned all the other pride marches, festivals and celebrations around the world. She was also the person who came up with the idea of "pride week". In addition to the new “Brenda Howard Award” the chapter also presents the “Morty Manford Award” and “Carmel Tavadia Memorial Award”. The other Honorees are Nila Marrone, Former President, NYC Chapter, PFLAG who will be awarded the “Morty Manford Award” and the Hon. Melinda Katz, NYC Councilperson for the 29th District who will be award the “Carmel Tavadia Award”. In addition, they will be awarding a special award to the author and Lecturer Malachy McCourt. The Awards will be presented when The Chapter holds its Annual Fund Raiser Awards Luncheon on Sunday November 6, 2005 at Riccardo's, 21-01 24th Avenue. Astoria NY. Tickets for the fund Raiser are $48 and a table of ten is $450. For more information see http://www.pflag-queens.org/lunchon.html or call (718) 271-6663. # # #