Longtime HIV and LGBTQ+ marginalized communities advocate Anthony Charles Galloway died May 27 due to cardiac arrest. He was 44.
Galloway was born Aug. 29, 1981, in East St. Louis, Illinois where he spent his childhood and teen years. He attended St. Louis Community College and then moved on to Fontbonne University in St. Louis, where he received his bachelor’s degree in business administration.
While living in St. Louis, Galloway worked at Blacks Assisting Blacks Against AIDS as an outreach worker and was a Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri HIV Project Coordinator. He was also the youngest Black Pride St. Louis board president.
When Galloway moved to Chicago in 2007 he became Howard Brown Health’s Technical Assistance/Capacity Development Specialist for a year and then moved on to become the Vivent Health + TPAN Program Manager for three years.
Galloway then worked for AIDS Foundation Chicago as a Prevention Program Manager, where he managed the Men’s Testing Initiative and Step Up, Get Tested programs for four years. After that Galloway was Equality Illinois’ Director of Civic Engagement for three years. Additionally, Galloway was the President of No Wire Hangers, Inc. from 2010-2016.
At the time of Galloway’s death, he was Lorde, Rustin and Bates’ president and senior managing director.
Among the numerous awards that Galloway received for his advocacy and service was the International Federation of Black Pride (now known as the Center for Black Equity) Leadership Award.
Galloway is survived by his Mother Pamela DeBoe; Father William Gigger; siblings Angela, Angelita, Shayla, Amber, Pamela, William Jr., Czer, Austin and Liam; countless nieces and nephews and many chosen family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandmother Charlene Williams and grandfather Curtis Galloway.
Mother Pamela DeBoe said, “I will miss his smile, his voice, his laughter and the way he could light up every room he entered. Although my heart is broken, I am so proud of the man he became and the legacy he leaves behind. Anthony was deeply loved, and as long as I live, his name, his spirit and his memory will never be forgotten. My sonshine, love Mom.”
Sister Amber Galloway said, “Anthony Charles Galloway is a name that will never be forgotten. He was proud of his name, proud of who he was, and proud of the impact he made on so many lives. Anthony was one of the most intelligent people I have ever known, and I am so proud to call him my brother. He was a pillar in the community, a leader and someone who never stopped fighting for others. After we argued, he would always say, ‘You better Google me!’—and the truth is, he gave us all plenty of reasons to. I’m going to miss everything about him—his smile, his scent, his personality and simply having him here. Forever my brother. Forever loved. Forever missed.”
Chicago 4th Ward Alderman and LGBTQ Caucus Chair Lamont Robinson said, “Every elected official needs an Anthony Galloway. His leadership, vision, honesty and unwavering commitment to justice made me a better public servant and community leader. Chicago and the State of Illinois have lost a fearless leader, a dedicated advocate and a remarkable human being. I have lost a trusted friend.”
AIDS Foundation Chicago Community Partnerships and Special Projects Senior Vice President Cynthia Tucker said, “Anthony Charles Galloway was a creative force and steadfast anchor who centered queer Black voices and built community at the heart of the HIV movement. He brought boundless community engagement and deep community commitment to advancing sexual health and uplifting queer Black voices.”
Equality Illinois CEO Channyn Lynne Parker said, “Anthony Galloway understood that civic power and joy belong together. As our Director of Civic Engagement, he built spaces where Black and Brown LGBTQ Chicagoans could be seen, celebrated and counted. Fahrenheit Chicago was his testament to that belief. He gathered our people on the South Side and made the work feel like home. Anthony gave this movement his creativity and his deep love for queer communities of color. Equality Illinois is stronger for the years he gave it. We honor his memory, and we hold his loved ones close.”
A celebration of life will take place Thursday, June 18 at Serenity Memorial Chapel, 3701 Falling Springs Rd, Cahokia Heights, Illinois 62206 from 12-2 p.m. for the service and then a gathering at Fairview Heights City Hall, 10025 Bunkum Rd., Fairview Heights, Illinois 62208.