A Mother First and Gay Rights Activist Second

The story of Jeanne Manford and the baton she passed to me

Photo with permission, c. PFLAG National, All Rights Reserved

I sit at the far end of the semi-circle of tables and chairs. We are gathered in a small meeting room at the back of a pizzeria. The room doubles as a space for both group gatherings and birthday party bashes. As I take my seat, I smell the faint waft of red marina sauce mixed with…