Easton’s Elliot Leonard, who died June 6, is being remembered by community members as a beacon of hope and tenacity in support of LGBTQ+ rights and equality.
He and his husband, Roger Litz, founded Leonard Litz LGBTQ+ Foundation in 2019 to provide funding and resources for nonprofit groups focused on advocacy, programming and services.
Hilary Desmond met the couple while helping to organize the annual Easton Pride Flag Raising and Community Celebration, held each year in June. “Elliot and Roger were just fun and interesting,” she recalled, “telling stories from 50 years ago about what they’ve seen, what they’ve done through. He was so positive and encouraging. Hopeful, always hopeful, positive, funny and smart. So, so smart.”
She remembered that Leonard personally hosted an ice cream truck at the annual flag raising, adding tearfully, “I am just heartbroken for Roger.”
One of their neighbors, Devon Wible, said of Leonard, “His legacy will live on.” She called him a “generous person who cares deeply about people and, especially, young people, making sure they feel seen.” With a big smile on his face, “he brought a lot of energy and light to the space.”
Litz and Leonard were together for half a century. “They really had such a beautiful relationship,” Wible said, adding how apparent it was that they cared for and supported each other.”
By 2024, the foundation had awarded or committed more than $6 million in charitable contributions to nearly 150 organization. In addition to repeat grantees like the Eastern PA Trans Equity Project and In Our Own Voices, it welcomed new partners, such as the Boston Alliance of LGBTQ+ Youth (BAGLY), interACT, LGBTQ Elders of Color, Our Trans Life, and Pride in Aging RI to the Leonard Litz family.
The Easton Democratic Town Committee, of which Leonard was a member, said, “Our thoughts are with his husband, Roger, his family, friends, and all who were fortunate enough to know him. Easton has lost a true leader and a genuinely good soul.”
