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Also naming Chestnut Street between 12th and 13th Streets in the “Gayborhood” as “Michael Hinson Way” to honor the life and legacy of Philadelphia’s first appointed liaison with the City LGBTQ+ communities by Mayor John F. Street.
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WHEREAS, Michael S. Hinson, Jr., was a leading Black LGBTQ+, AIDS and homelessness activist in Philadelphia. Michael moved to Philadelphia after growing up in South Carolina. He worked with Black AIDs victims at the Philadelphia AIDS Task Force and was an early volunteer with BEBASHI, one of the first Black AIDS service organizations in the 1980s; and
WHEREAS, Michael helped found Colours Magazine which eventually morphed in to the Colours Organization whose mission is to impact, improve, and empower the lives of LGBTQ+ communities of color. Michael was the first director of the Colours Organization and AIDS service agency. He was also a co-founder of Philadelphia Black Gay Pride; and
WHEREAS, In 2000, Mayor John F. Street appointed Michael as his liaison with the City LGBTQ+ communities, he was also Mayor Street’s policy advisor on a wide range of issues. One of the more obvious marks he left during his tenure was the rainbow street signs installed in the Gayborhood; and
WHEREAS, He helped ensure that gender identity became protected under the City’s Fair Practices Ordinance. Michael also served as an adjunct professor at Cheyney University; and
WHEREAS, In recent years Michael served as the CEO of SELF, Inc., the city’s largest provider of emergency and transitional housing, which doubled in size under his leadership and including the development, A Way Home, a transitional housing program for LGBTQ people; and
WHEREAS, Naming Chestnut Street between 12th and 13th Streets as “Michael Hinson Way” will make a powerful statement not only to our City but to our LGBTQ+ community. We will never forget where it all began for the First Appointed LGBTQ+ Liaison in Philadelphia by Mayor John F. Street. This symbol shows the diversity and inclusion Philly has for people of color and the LGTBQ+ community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Chestnut Street between 12th Street and 13th Street in the City of Philadelphia, shall henceforth also be known as “Michael Hinson Way”.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the family and friends of Michael S. Hinson Jr., further evidencing the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body.
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