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Gay Rights Activist to Honor Queens LGBT Leader

By Katie Honan | January 24, 2014 3:19pm
 Edie Windsor, the plaintiff in a same-sex marriage case decided by the Supreme Court June 26, 2013.
Edie Windsor, the plaintiff in a same-sex marriage case decided by the Supreme Court June 26, 2013.
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DNAinfo/Andrea Swalec

JACKSON HEIGHTS — Gay rights hero Edith Windsor is heading to Queens to help honor a local LGBT activist.

The Queens Lesbian and Gay Pride Committee's 21st annual fundraising festival, Winter Pride, will honor the group NYC Pride local activist Cathy Renna on Saturday, Jan. 25 at the Astoria World Manor.

Renna, of Middle Village, is a media relations and communications worker who spent over a decade at GLAAD, and has also done public relations for various organizations, including the Matthew Shepard Foundation and ACT-UP.

She'll receive an award from Windsor, who was the plaintiff in the Supreme Court case that struck down the Defense of Marriage Act.

“It is a thrill to be honored by Queens Pride, especially because I was born in Astoria, raised in Whitestone and now live in Middle Village," Renna said.

"It feels great to be a ‘local girl that’s done good.'"

The honor will also be extended to NYC Pride, organizers of Manhattan's famed June parade who have helped guide the Queens branch since it's inception, according to officials.

Organizers of Queens Pride, which started in 1992 and was founded by City Councilman Danny Dromm, said they were excited to have Windsor at the event to celebrate last year's victory for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

"She is the embodiment of the impact one person can have, standing up for what is right and fighting for what you believe in," said Chris Calvert, co-chair of Queens Pride.

"We look forward to celebrating with her.”

The event raises money for the annual Queens Pride Parade and Festival, which will be held on Sunday, June 1 in Jackson Heights.

Tickets are still available and the event is open to the public. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.queenspride.org or contact winterpride@queenspride.org.