At Queens Pride Committee Event Jan. 25
A public relations executive from Middle Village is among those scheduled to be honored at the 21st Winter Pride event hosted by the Queens Pride Committee at Astoria World Manor in Astoria on Saturday night, Jan. 25.
The organization-which sponsors the Queens Pride Parade and Festival each June in Jackson Heights-will recognize Cathy Renna, senior vice president of Target Cue LLC and a Middle Village resident; and NYC Pride, which organizes the Manhattan Pride Parade.
As noted, the Winter Pride event serves not only to support the Queens Pride Parade and Festival but to also honor those who have significantly contributed to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) community in Queens.
Among the 350 guests scheduled to participate in the Winter Pride event is Edie Windsor, the woman at the center of a lawsuit which led the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act. She is scheduled to present Renna with her award.
“We are very excited to have Edie Windsor with us this year,” said Chris Calvert, co-chair of Queens Pride. “Edie’s victory was a victory for LGBT people in Queens, across the country and around the world. She is the embodiment of the impact one person can have, standing up for what is right and fighting for what you believe in. We look forward to celebrating with her.”
Born in Queens and now living in Middle Village, Renna is a recognized media relations and communications expert. Throughout her career, beginning with her over decade of work at GLAAD (formerly the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), Renna has played a role in media related to nearly every issue affecting LGBTQ populations.
Renna founded Renna Communications, where she brought her public relations skills to over 50 different organizations including the Matthew Shephard Foundation, Family Equality Council, the Point Foundation, ACT-UP, the New York LGBT Center, Congregation Beth Simchat Tora, Soulforce, Senior Action in an Gay Environment (SAGE), the Family Acceptance Project, the Williams Institute and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force among many more.
She currently works at Target Cue, LLC, a consultancy specializing in providing public relations and marketing communications services to not-for-profit organizations seeking to reach highly defined audiences.
“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. It feels great to be a ‘local girl that’s done good’,” said Renna. “I have always seen my work as the kind of activism that tells the stories of our diverse communities-often one we would never see otherwise- and this award is wonderful validation of that work and an inspiration to do more,” concluded Renna.
“In publicizing the stories of LGBTQ seniors, youth and other diverse populations, Cathy has amplified Queen’s Pride’s Mission to raise awareness of the LGBTQ community,” added Andrew Ronan, Chair of the Winter Pride Organizing Committee. “In the words of our founder, ‘we are here, we are queer, and you know who we are.'”
NYC Pride, a part of Heritage of Pride, Inc. works toward a future without discrimination where all people have equal rights under the law. They accomplish this goal by producing pride events that inspire, educate, commemorate and celebrate the diverse LGBTQ community.
NYC Pride produces the Pride March that takes place in Manhattan on the last Sunday in June each year. Heritage of Pride/NYC Pride was instrumental in guiding the founders of the Queens Pride Parade and Festival over 20 years ago. The two organizations have had a long relationship of support and partnership with each other.
“From its founding to the present day, Queens Pride has been and continues to be more than just a strong partner to NYC Pride during our march to equality. We are honored beyond measure to be celebrated by our compatriots at this year’s Winter Pride,” said David Schneider, Stonewall 50 Committee Director of Heritage of Pride, Inc./NYC Pride.
“We are so appreciative of the long time assistance of NYC Pride” said Hank Krumholz, Co-Chair of Queens Pride. “It is a privilege to honor our ‘big sister’ organization this year.”
Queens Pride continues its efforts to support and celebrate the LGBTQ community of Queens. Queens Pride will celebrate the 22nd Queens Pride Parade and Festival on Sunday, June 1, in Jackson Heights. The group continues its efforts of outreach throughout the year with a film series, social and educational programs.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.queenspride.org or contact winterpride@queenspride.org.
