Obituary of Edwin Hackney

Edwin Hobbs Hackney, 78, passed away peacefully on September 19, 2023 as a result of pulmonary fibrosis. He is preceded in death by his partner in life Gary Key.

Born in London, Ky., he is the son of the late Willis Granville Hackney and Madge Eversole Hackney. He is survived by two sisters; Shelby Perkins of Vero Beach, Fla. and Helen Pope of Lexington, Ky. He is preceded in death by brother Richard Hackney and sister Harriet McClain.

Edwin received his B.A. and M.S.W. from the University of Kentucky. He also studied at University of California Santa Barbara and Université de Montpellier, France. He later served as adjunct professor at Morehead State University and the University of Kentucky.

A career social worker, (LCSW and LCADC) Edwin began in the 1970s at Comprehensive Care as a therapist at the Outpatient Day Rehab Program and later became Coordinator of Outpatient Substance Service at Bluegrass East Comp Care. After retirement, he continued in private practice for a number of years. He was a respected member of his profession regionally and nationally and quoted in many academic journals and books.

A lifelong gay activist, Edwin made a difference in the lives of many in the LGBTQ community. In the early 1980s, he implemented the Gay Services Organization Gay Line which later became GLSO Pride Center. He recently received a GSO/GLSO/PCSO Founders Award along with Gary Key. He was a founding member of AVOL Kentucky, which in the early days was a volunteer mobilization effort to do whatever it took to care for those suffering from HIV disease when resources were scarce. He gave mental health help to the volunteers who were aiding the sick. He also served as an officer for NALGAP (National Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Addiction Professionals and their allies).

Surrounded by love of lifelong friends from near and afar, they have shared words that they thought people should know about him. He was humble, caring, kind, honest, a brilliant intellect, a mentor, a rescuer, a treasure, and one of the good guys. He made all of our lives richer and definitely made a difference in the world.

A celebration of life is planned for a future date.

Donations are appreciated to The Pride Center, 389 Waller Ave. #100 Lexington, KY 40504 and/or AVOL Kentucky, 365 Waller Ave. #100, Lexington, KY 40508.