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An ordinance to amend the Geographical Information Systems Map for The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, by changing the name of Carney Street from 4th Avenue South to Ensley Boulevard to “Bianca Paige Way”. (Proposal No. 2021M-002SR-001)
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WHEREAS, Mark Middleton, better known as “Bianca Paige”, was a longtime local favorite on the drag circuit, and a well-loved fixture among Nashville’s LGBTQ+ community; and
WHEREAS, Middleton moved from his hometown of Paducah, Kentucky to Nashville in the 1990s and subsequently created and perfected his alter ego, Bianca Paige, “The Pantomime Rage”; and
WHEREAS, Bianca Paige could not be contained, becoming an out-and-proud icon in Nashville, and was among one of the first drag queens a lot of people ever saw in the city at the time; and
WHEREAS, in addition to her must-see drag performances in Music City, Bianca Paige used her voice and presence to be a strong advocate for HIV/AIDS related causes; and
WHEREAS, Paige raised more than $1 million for AIDS related charities and donated time to Nashville CARES, Nashville Pride, Vanderbilt’s AIDS/HIV vaccine studies, Vanderbilt Children with AIDS, The Conductors, Human Rights Campaign, as well as served as spokesperson for “The Bianca Paige Awareness Network”, an organization dedicated to AIDS awareness and prevention; and
WHEREAS, in June 2010, Bianca Paige succumbed to lymphoma, and her presence in Nashville was and still is, deeply missed; and
WHEREAS, in the summer of 2020, the Metropolitan Government recognized the 10th anniversary celebration of Bianca Paige Day and read a proclamation in her honor; and
WHEREAS, the request for the street name change has been submitted by Colby Sledge, 17th District Council Member, in consultation with the Metropolitan Council LGBTQ Caucus, applicant; and
WHEREAS, the proposed request to change the name of this right-of-way has been submitted to the Metropolitan Planning Commission, and other relevant agencies of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, in accordance with Metropolitan Code § 13.08.015; and
WHEREAS, the community deems it appropriate that said street name be changed.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That the Geographical Information Systems Map for The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County is hereby amended, as follows:
Renaming Carney Street from 4th Avenue South northeastwardly to Ensley Boulevard as “Bianca Paige Way”, all of which is more particularly described by lines, words, and figures on the sketch, which is attached hereto as Exhibit A and made a part of this ordinance as though copied herein.
Section 2. The Director of the Department of Public Works is hereby authorized and directed, upon the enactment and approval of this ordinance, to cause said change to be made on said Map as set out in Section 1 of this ordinance, and to make notation thereon of reference to the date of passage and approval of this amendatory ordinance.
Section 3. That this ordinance shall take effect from and after its final passage, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.
Agenda Analysis
Analysis
This ordinance renames Carney Street from 4th Avenue South to Ensley Boulevard as “Bianca Paige Way.” Bianca Paige was a longtime local favorite on the drag circuit, and a fixture among Nashville’s LGBTQ+ community. In addition to her entertaining performances, Bianca Paige was a strong advocate for HIV/AIDS related causes, raising more than $1 million for AIDS related charities. Bianca Paige also volunteered with Nashville CARES, Nashville Pride, Vanderbilt’s AIDS/HIV vaccine studies, Vanderbilt Children with AIDS, The Conductors, Human Rights Campaign, as well as served as spokesperson for “The Bianca Paige Awareness Network”, an organization dedicated to AIDS awareness and prevention.
This ordinance has been approved by the ECD Board and the Planning Commission. The required report from the Historical Commission has been provided to the Council.