New York City LGBTQ Activist Larry Lombardi Has Died

Larry Lombardi -- who volunteered with several LGBTQ organizations serving the New York City borough of Queens -- died on Saturday at the age of 83.

Lombardi passed away in his sleep at his home in the Jackson Heights neighborhood, according to the Times Ledger.

For over a quarter of a century, Lombardi worked tirelessly for LGBTQ causes. Lombardi served as treasurer and board member of the Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club of Queens and was a member of the Queens Lesbian and Gay Pride Committee, the organization that mounts the annual Queens Pride Parade.

During this year's Queens Pride Parade in June, Lombardi helped honor Julio Rivera, gay man killed by skinheads during a 1990 Jackson Heights hate crime.

Lombardi was also a regular fixture at the Queens Center for Gay Seniors.

"Larry was an amazing human being and he will be sorely missed by all who were lucky to know him," City Councilman Daniel Dromm told the Times Ledger. "Larry spent at least the last 26 years of his life fighting for the rights of LGBT people in Queens and beyond. He was a progressive fighter who took to the streets to fight for the things he believed in. He was active in LGBT causes until the very end. I was fortunate to spend time with Larry on Wednesday in the Queens Center for Gay Seniors. He was on oxygen but was in good spirits. Rest in peace my friend and ally."

A memorial service for Lombardi is planned for later this month.