A gay couple whose lives revolved around helping others less fortunate than themselves have passed on to the realm of our LGBTQIA ancestors after a lifetime of service, reports LGBTQ Nation website.

Jayson Conner, aged 48, passed away from a heart attack on 28 June at the home he shared with his partner in Manhattan. Jeffrey Newman, aged 58, died on 2 July, though the circumstances and location of his death have not been made public, according to The New York Times.

The pair began their initiative in 2018, handing out backpacks across Manhattan. Over time, they built a team of around 40 volunteers and named the project Backpacks for the Streets. Each pack contained items such as beef jerky sticks, solar-powered battery chargers, body wipes, wool socks, torches with fresh batteries, pens, notebooks, hygiene products, clothing and food. The backpacks were loaded into a van and distributed throughout the borough.

Conner, who himself spent two years living on the streets and had also experienced sexual abuse and drug addiction, told ABC News in June 2020: “People who are homeless, they feel invisible to begin with, like they don’t matter. And COVID-19 only magnified that. People treat them like the disease. We wanted to be doing more.” He added: “I’m amazed how that little moment of humanity and compassion and dignity changes someone’s life.”

Reflecting on the impact of the backpacks, Conner said: “The thing about these backpacks is, it gives people hope. It’s not going to cure homelessness but it gives them the beginning start—of hope.” Newman echoed that sentiment, stating: “We take what we do very seriously. We’re not making little goodie bags—we’re really thinking out what it is people need the most. It’s a labour of love.”

The couple also trained their volunteers in safe and compassionate ways to engage with unhoused individuals who might be lonely or suffering from serious physical or emotional pain. One volunteer, Kristina Kashtanova, recalled: “It was fascinating to see how well they managed to communicate with people on the streets. They taught me how to be a better human and how to talk to people who were so different from me.”

Conner and Newman first met in 2004 and said their volunteer work drew them closer together. Now, the volunteers left in the organisation are discussing how to continue the mission. Kashtanova remarked: “I feel like they taught us how to be a better community and it was tested in this tragedy. We’re all grieving but at the same time we’re very proactive in handling this situation.”

Conner attended culinary school, worked in restaurants and is survived by a son and a daughter. Newman was the founding president and chief executive of the LGBTQ+ lifestyle publication Out. He spoke openly about his own HIV diagnosis, his recovery, LGBTQ+ equality and suicide prevention, particularly among young LGBTQ+ people. He is survived by his parents, two brothers and a sister.

Newman’s brother, Glenn Newman, told W42st.com: “Jayson was the love of Jeffrey’s life and his true partner in every sense of the word. They built their lives together, shared a common purpose, and dedicated themselves to serving others. Whether they were running their nonprofit, supporting people on the streets of New York, or simply enjoying everyday life, they were rarely apart. Their relationship was built on deep love, unwavering commitment, and a shared belief that every person deserves dignity, compassion, and hope.” Conner’s best friend, Michael Gray, added: “Jayson and Jeffrey’s love was the kind of love you could feel even from the outside. They were partners in every sense — in life, in purpose, and in the work they gave their hearts to. Losing them days apart is heartbreaking, but there is comfort in believing that their bond was so strong, even this world couldn’t keep them separated for long.”