PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia’s LGBTQ community is mourning the loss of respected activist and pioneer Michael Hinson. He was one of the first people in the city to lead strategies within Black and brown communities in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
Kendall Stephens, a Temple student and an LGBTQ activist herself, called Hinson a mentor and friend.
“He was a man of many gifts — a dancer, an artist and orator — but his greatest gift was the gift of mentorship,” she said. “He would give you a conversation and his time — no matter how busy he was. That was crucial to me as a budding activist and advocate.”
She remembers him as humble yet larger than life, a tireless teacher of many Black LGBTQ leaders in Philadelphia.
“He was a force to be reckoned with. He changed the entire landscape of the queer liberation movement.”
In 1991, Hinson founded COLOURS, a nonprofit service organization, to support and empower LGBTQ people of color in Greater Philadelphia. From that work, Philly Black Pride emerged in 1999. Former Mayor John Street hired Hinson as his liaison to LGBTQ communities in 2000, and the position evolved into a highly respected post within city government.
More recently, Hinson advocated for people experiencing homelessness as CEO of nonprofit SELF, Inc., Philadelphia’s largest provider of emergency and transitional housing.
“Michael was one of my dearest friends for over 40 years and showed me how to live a life of service and commitment,” said Chris Bartlett, executive director of the William Way LGBT Community Center.
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Bartlett said Hinson’s overweening sense of compassion stood out.
“In the early days, he was an advocate for those with HIV/AIDS and Black gay men,” Bartlett said. “He combines wisdom and caring to make a real difference.”
Hinson’s loved ones and peers agree he leaves behind a legacy unparalleled.
“He leaves us with a sense of purpose and confidence to move through spaces where we are uninvited and unwelcome,” Stephens said.
“He was the wizard of Philadelphia. If he was not able to occupy uninvited space, he would make a space.”
Hinson was 55 years old.