Martin Dorsey, a young man who fought the stereotyping of LGBT youth of color in Chicago, died July 18, just two days before his birthday. He was 20 years old.
Dorsey was born and raised in Chicago. He attended Bogan Computer Technical High School and went on the study at Columbia College.
In 2008, Dorsey participated in a job program with the Coalition for Justice and Respect. Through the program, he became involved with Youth Pride Services (YPS), eventually volunteering for the organization.
Frank Walker, who founded YPS, said that Dorsey embodied what the organization strove for in its membership.
"Martin was actually quite brilliant in his own way. If he was on your side, he was 100 percent loyal," Walker said. "He also was very outspoken and had big dreams and ideas."
In 2009, Dorsey started working on the organization's Code Red project, which was formed to highlight the voices of Black gay youth who were opposed to the perceived increase of violence in Lakeview.
Dorsey put together the organization's first block party event on Halsted Street, working with the Northalsted Business Alliance to begin conversations between business owners and LGBTQ youth, according to a statement from YPS.
In addition to working with youth, Dorsey had a passion for music and acting.
"He had so much talent," said his mother, Consandra Wright. "I am certain if he were still here, that one day I would have sat next to my son receiving awards at the Oscars, Grammys and every notable artistry organization [event]."
He performed in productions of Rent and Romeo and Juliet, Wright said, and he directed his church choir at The Gate Called Beautiful Ministries.
Dorsey moved to Las Vegas to pursue his dreams of performing and started attended college there. Celebrating his upcoming 21st birthday, Dorsey went swimming in Lake Mohave. Nev., where he drowned accidentally.
Wright remembers her son's commitment to remain true to himself and to have pride. She said he was picked on as kid for being gay and discriminated against by adults in his grammar school. But he took inspiration from Lady GaGa's message that it was good to be different, and he spread that message to young people he worked with.
"In spite of all those obstacles and emotional pain, Martin refused to hide his identity," Wright said.
YPS honored Dorsey with a performance of "Take Me to the King" at services held July 27.
In addition to his mother, Dorsey is survived by father Rory Dorsey, stepfather Anthony Wright and siblings Samson, Ira and Latina as well has his grandparents, cousins and friends.
