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 | | Maxsonn "Max" C. Smith | | | Inducted 1991 | | | Photo: Israel Wright | | This lifelong political and cultural activist has resided in Chicago since his 1976 graduation from Michigan State University. He has been treasurer of the Illinois Gay Rights Task Force; the founder of the Chicago chapter of the National Coalition of Black Gays; an organizer of United Faith Affinitas Church; a member of Adodi Chicago; a columnist for BLACKlines and Identity magazines; and editor of a book on black men’s same-gender-loving relationships, Staying Power! | |
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| Max Smith is, and has been, a visible, conscientious, and tireless role model in Chicago for the past 15 years. His tenacity and vision are admirable, especially in the face of the political and social hostility that exists within and toward the Black gay and lesbian community.
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| A sales and leasing consultant, Smith has been an active member of the Illinois Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Good Shepherd Parish Metropolitan Community Church, the Black Bible Study Group, the Third World Gay and Lesbian Christian Conference, Affinitas, the National Coalition of Black Lesbians and Gays, the Committee to Increase Black Lesbian/Gay Awareness, the National Black Lesbian and Gay Leadership Forum, BROTHERRS, and the Chicago Coalition of Black Lesbians and Gays.
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| Smith has taken issue with and devised a consistent battle plan which addresses and attempts to derail homophobia within the African American and the larger communities, while gently addressing the issue and impact of internalized homophobia. In concert with other concerned Black gay and lesbian people, he has "kept the faith." This is especially true in his continuing efforts to engage the Black clergy in discussions about homophobia, and in dealing with the presence of gay men and lesbians in their congregations and pulpits. | |
| Smith has also focused his energies on mainstream organizations, including Operation PUSH and the NAACP, challenging them to match their ideological positions with programmatic and systemic changes on gay and lesbian issues.
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| He is a contributor to BLK and Blacklight
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| This biography is as of the induction date. It has not been updated. |
| Additional information is available for items referenced in the biography of Maxsonn "Max" C. Smith at the following sites: |
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