PFLAG Queens Chapter
Parents, Families and Friends
of Lesbians and Gays

19th Annual Morty Manford Awardees

Hon. Daniel Dromm NYC Council Member District 25

Daniel Dromm is an educator, community organizer, union leader, and political activist. His experience and dedication to the community has led to Daniel Dromm being overwhelmingly elected as the New York City Council Member for the 25th District (representing Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, LeFrak City, Corona, Rego Park, and Woodside) with over 75% of the vote on November 3rd, 2009.

Daniel Dromm is an award-winning New York City public school teacher. Since 1984, he has instructed and inspired thousands of students at PS 199Q in Queens. In 2006, Dromm was chosen as "Outstanding Teacher of the Year" by his school's principal and in 2009, he was chosen as "Educator of the Year" by the Kiwanis Club of Sunnyside.

In 1992, Dromm courageously came out as an openly gay teacher. The story became front-page news in daily newspapers throughout the city. The ensuing battle tested Dromm's resolve as a fighter who is unafraid to take on the powers that be. Dromm defeated several unsuccessful attempts to remove him from his job and became a role model for equality in the workplace. This episode in Dromm's life illustrated to him how important tenure is as a protection for teachers. Dromm attended St. Mary's Elementary and Boys' High School in Manhasset, NY and graduated from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY. He earned his master's degree from City College. Prior to working for the NYC Department of Education, Dromm was Educational Director of the Grant Day Care Center in Harlem. It was there, while fighting for the rights of the poor to affordable childcare, social services and education, that he acquired his effective organizing skills.

Deeply committed to civil rights and social justice, Dromm has established himself a fighter against prejudice, discrimination and violence as the founder and former co-chairperson of the Queens Lesbian and Gay Pride Committee. Fifteen years ago, he organized the first Queens LGBT Pride Parade and Festival which he still puts on the first Sunday in June in Jackson Heights. Dromm co-founded the Queens Chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (P-FLAG). He helped found Queens Pride House. Dromm also co-founded the Generation Q Youth Services Program in Astoria.

A delegate to the 2000 Democratic National Convention, and a former board member of the JFK Democratic Club in Jackson Heights, Mr. Dromm has tried hard to promote the ideals and values of the Democratic Party throughout Queens. He co-founded the Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club of Queens. Dromm is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Jackson Heights and a board member of the Corona-based Community Conciliation Network. He is an active member of the 115th Precinct Community Council. Dromm regularly volunteers with the Jackson Heights Beautification Group.

Dromm is fluent in Spanish and has been honored by the Sociedad Puertorriquena de Queens for his commitment to the Latino community. He is a member of the NAACP - Corona/East Elmhurst branch and has also been honored by the Korean-American Association of Central Queens. In October of 2006, Dromm received a Community Leadership Award from the Times/Ledger newspapers. He received the Marsh-Raimo Award from the UFT, which recognizes an individual who has shown continued commitment to the teacher's union through political action.

Daniel Dromm strongly believes that in order to bring about change, one must affect the political structure. To that end, Dromm's latest initiative is creating the New Visions Democratic Club, a progressive local party club dedicated to serve our diverse community. Dromm has presided over an incredible expansion in membership of New Visions since 2007. It is creating change that motivates Daniel Dromm to serve the public on the City Council.

Mr. Michael Serao

Michael is not a politician , although he has been encouraged to run on numerous occasions. He is a businessman, a banker who has spent 6 years at Commerce Bank and 3 years as Vice President of JP Morgan Chase Bank in Astoria. He now serves as Senior Vice President of Quontic Bank. Grandson of Edward Serao, he is following in his footsteps in giving back to his community.
Michael truly defines the meaning of community service. He is the Board Director for the Astoria LIC Kiwanis, Sharing and Caring, Advisory Board Member to Immaculate Conception School, President of the Ditmars Merchants Association, Chair for Astoria Relay For Life, Charter Member of the Lions Club, Treasurer of the William Jefferson Clinton Democratic Club, a Board Director for Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens, member of the Board of Directors of QSAC, Board member of Community Board 1 and Vice Pres. of the Astoria Civic Association. He was a member of OUT Astoria and former Pres. of the Western Queens LGBT Democratic Club. His philanthropy work includes working with children with Autism, seniors with disabilities, and actively in the LGBT community.

His awards are numerous including HX Magazine Business man of the Year, Powhattan Democratic Club Business Leadership Award, LIC Knights of Columbus Man of the Year, and the Borough President’s Business Leadership Award.

Michael and his partner Jonathan Bench, plan to marry in September.

15th Annual Carmel Tavadia Memorial Awardees

Kathleen and Stanley Rygor

Stanley, 83 and Kathleen, 80, have been married 57 years. She is an Irish immigrant and he was born in NY of Sicilian and English parents.

In 1944, when he was 17, Stanley enlisted in the Navy. He came home from World War II 2½ years later. Kathleen had just come over from Ireland and they met on a Manhattan dance floor. They later married and had 5 children – and set out to have ordinary lives.

For the next six decades, Stanley worked his way up to the position of senior vice president of a large Wall Street ad agency, while Kathleen held down the home front.

One year Kathleen gave Stanley an Irish button accordion and he taught himself to play it, then singing with the choir at Most Precious Blood Church and playing it in public. They looked forward to retirement.
It was at this time that their son, Robert, told them that he was gay. They hadn’t seen this coming and were shocked. They learned later that Robert was quite active in the gay community and he became the spokesperson for ACT UP. When he told them he had AIDS, they turned themselves into activists. When Robert died at age 40 in 1994, they enhanced their work for gay rights. Stanley said, ”I feel strongly about gay rights and marriage equality because this is what my son would want.”

Despite numerous physical ailments, they participate in every way they can, such as the St. Pats For All Parade, the Queens Lesbian and Gay Pride Parade, the 10K AIDS Walk among other activities. Stanley says, ”I have to keep it up because I raise a lot of money.”

These people epitomize the true family values, through their love, involvement and commitment, for which this award Is given.

Credit: Photograph and Bio by Nancy Ruhling

7th Annual Brenda Howard Memorial Awardee

Robyn Ochs

Raised in Far Rockaway, Queens, Robyn Ochs has spoken at hundreds of colleges and universities over the past 25 years. She is the editor of the 42-country anthology, Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals Around the World, and her writings have been published in numerous bi, women's studies, multicultural, and LGBT anthologies.

Robyn has taught courses on LGBT history & politics in the United States, the politics of sexual orientation, & the experiences of those who transgress the binary categories of sex, gender, sexual orientation and race.

She is a co-founder of the Bisexual Resource Center, BiNet USA and the Boston Bisexual Women's Network, and she has served for seven years on the Board of MassEquality, Massachusetts's statewide equality organization.

An advocate for the rights of people of ALL orientations and genders to live safely, openly and with full legal equality, Robyn’s work focuses on increasing awareness and understanding of complex identities, and mobilizing people to be powerful allies to one another within and across identities and social movements.

Robyn and her wife, Peg Preble, are members of the Boston chapter of PFLAG.

Other Information

We also have an ad journal and YOUR AD DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
For more information regarding our celebration ad journal, see our ad journal webpage at http://www.pflag-queens.org/journal.html

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