Meet Michael Sills, Housing Manager of LHD Central Office Operations
June is National Pride Month, which commemorates the 1969 Stonewall uprising and recognizes the impact and contributions of individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+). In honor of Pride Month, we highlight the work of NYCHA’s LGBTQIA+ employees.
While Michael Sills became a NYCHA employee almost 36 years ago, his story started in college at Syracuse University: “At Syracuse, I was questioning a lot of things. I was questioning my sexuality. I was questioning my own independence.” He joined several LGBTQ+ social groups, including one dedicated to gay men of African descent, during that time: “I met people like myself in the LGBTQ community, and I didn’t have to hide. I became much more in tune with who I was. Most importantly, I could be myself.”
After Mr. Sills’ sophomore year, he realized he wanted to come back home to Brooklyn and joined NYCHA as a summer intern, where his cousin worked in the revenue accounting department. “My internship turned into a full-time clerical position, and I never left!” said Mr. Sills.
Graduating with a degree in communications from the College of New Rochelle while working at the Authority, Mr. Sills always wanted to help people. He worked his way up through the ranks and is now the Housing Manager of the Leased Housing Department’s (LHD) Central Office Operations. “It’s very rewarding to be working in a place where I can serve the public and help people,” he said. “I’m also working in a place where I can be the true me. People accept me for who I am. I’m always here to let other LGBTQ colleagues know I’m here if they need me.”
Speaking about his experience as a gay man of color, Mr. Sills was grateful that his parents and older sister were so accepting of his sexuality: “I think my family had an idea that I was gay and were waiting for me to have a conversation with them. They’re super liberal and were very accepting when I told them. I’m lucky that way; they’ve always been supportive of me.”
Over the past several years, Mr. Sills has served as caretaker for his aging parents. Even though he hasn’t had much time to devote to outside activities due to his caretaking duties, he always looks forward to the Pride Parade and Pride Month events every year. “I have a close circle of friends in the LGBTQ community who are like family,” said Mr. Sills. “When things started opening up during COVID in the summer two years ago, we all celebrated Pride month in Puerto Vallarta. I was surrounded by like-minded people. I could truly express who I am without judgement…With everything going on with my parents’ health, I felt that the Pride celebration was my reintroduction into the LGBTQ community. It was a reaffirmation of who I am.”
