HR0698 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0698 LRB102 26520 LAW 37086 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of longtime LGBTQ+ activist and journalist Maxsonn "Max" Smith, who passed away on February 9, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Max Smith was born in Hickory, North Carolina on February 9, 2022; he graduated from Jefferson City High School in Jefferson City, Missouri; he received his bachelor's degree in Communication Arts from Michigan State University in 1976, where he served as president of Michigan State Gay Liberation, now known as the Alliance of Queer and Ally Students, during his junior and senior years; and

WHEREAS, Max Smith moved to Chicago as an out gay man shortly after graduating college, where he pursued LGBTQ+ activism through journalism; he began working in the Real Estate Advertising Sales Department of the Chicago Tribune and later at Time-Life; he was also a writer for the Windy City Times, Identity, BLK and Blacklight magazines, the discontinued BLACKlines, and the Habari Daftari National Coalition of Black Lesbian and Gays (NCBLG) newsletter; his writing was also featured in the book anthology titled In the Life; he edited the Black men's LGBTQ+ relationships book titled Staying Power! and self-published the book African Americans 3rd Rail: Same-Gender-Loving, which conveyed the intersection of racism and homophobia; and

WHEREAS, Max Smith held leadership roles in several LGBTQ+ activist organizations, including the Chicago chapter of the NCBLG as founder and the Illinois Gay and Lesbian Rights Task Force as treasurer; he also served as an organizer of the United Faith Affinitas Church and a founding member of the Lighthouse Church of Chicago; he was a member of Adodi Chicago, the Black Bible Study Group, BROTHERRS, the Church of the Open Door, the Committee to Increase Black Lesbian/Gay Awareness, the Good Shepherd Parish Metropolitan Community Church, the National Black Lesbian and Gay Leadership Forum, and the Third World Gay and Lesbian Christian Conference; he also participated in the concurrent Third World Lesbian and Gay Conference at Howard University in Washington, D.C. and the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights in October 1979; and

WHEREAS, Max Smith was inducted into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame in 1991; he also challenged Operation PUSH and the NAACP to be LGBTQ+ friendly in their actions and statements; throughout his life, he made an effort to educate people on race, faith, and sexual identity; and

WHEREAS, Max Smith was known for being caring, selfless, and welcoming; he was a big brother and friend to many; his home was known as a place of refuge that he built for Black LGBTQ+ men in Chicago experiencing homelessness; he sheltered dozens of Black LGBTQ+ men over the years, including Black LGBTQ+ immigrants seeking asylum in the U.S.; through his help, many of the people he sheltered are living fulfilling lives with homes of their own today; and

WHEREAS, Max Smith is survived by his sister, Joyce Hooks; his cousin, Phyllis Razeeq; and countless chosen family members and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Maxsonn "Max" Smith and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Max Smith as an expression of our deepest sympathy.