For providing room, boarding, and safety to formerly closeted black actors during a time that homosexuality was still illegal in America
Actor Paul Winfield, who played Harriet & Rachel’s father on ‘Family Matters’ always hid his sexuality most of his career but came out to actress Cicely Tyson in 1976 while the duo filmed the Martin Luther King miniseries, KING.
Afraid that he would be outed by his ex boyfriend, Winfield came out to Tyson on set. Tyson offered for Winfield to move in with her, and he accepted. 💕🥰Before long fans assumed the two were a couple, and they never clarified differently until after production of the miniseries was concluded and aired.
Tyson also once provided shelter and comfort for The Cosby Show actor, Earle Hyman (Grandpa Huxtable) and his boyfriend of 50 years, Rolf Sirnes. Hyman and Winfield acknowledged Tyson as a sister to them both. Hyman introduced Winfield to Charles Gillan Jr., an architect. Winfield and Gillan lived together for 30 years until Gillan died of bone cancer in 2002.
Tyson and Hyman both attend the funeral in support of Winfield who came out shortly following his partner’s death. Tyson who was once married to musician Miles Davis stated, “Whether you’re my husband or my manager; you dont get to tell me who I can be friends with. We’re all God’s children.” 😍🥰A beautiful story of friendship, acceptance, and loyalty from film and television legends during a time that the world was not so inclusive.