BRENDA HOWARD was an American LGBT activist who died on this date (b. 1946); a bisexual rights activist and sex-positive feminist, who was an important figure in the modern LGBT rights movement.

A militant activist who helped plan and participated in LGBT rights actions for over three decades, Howard was a leader of the Gay Liberation Front and for several years chair of the Gay Activists Alliance in the early post-Stonewall era. She is known as the “Mother of Pride”, for her work in coordinating the first month anniversary rally and then the “Christopher Street Liberation Day March” to commemorate the first year anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion.

Howard also originated the idea for a week-long series of events around Pride Day which became the genesis of the annual LGBT Pride celebrations that are now held around the world every June. In 2005 the Queens Chapter of PFLAG announced the creation of the “Brenda Howard Award”.

This is the first time a major American LGBT organization has named award after an out bisexual member of the LGBT Community. The award, to be given yearly, recognizes an individual or organization whose work on behalf of the LGBT Community best exemplifies the vision, principals and community service exemplified by the late Brenda Howard and who serves as a positive and visible role model for the Bisexual community.