Paul Reed Yinger will be honored with latest plaque on city’s Walk of the Stars
Yinger’s star is a tribute to his dedication to community service and significant impact on the LGBTQ+ community, according to Palm Springs Chamber CEO Nona Watson.
Humanitarian and entertainer Paul Reed Yinger, also known as Steve Hurley, will be honored with the 463rd star on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars, according to the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce. The star will be unveiled at a public ceremony on Oct. 27 at 100 East Arenas Rd.
Yinger began his career in healthcare as a respiratory therapist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, later becoming a registered nurse. His star is a tribute to his dedication to community service and significant impact on the LGBTQ+ community, said Palm Springs Chamber CEO Nona Watson.
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While in Chicago, Yinger participated in the Hepatitis Vaccination Trials and the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS), focusing on the natural history of untreated and treated HIV infection. After relocating to Palm Springs in 1995, he continued his involvement in the Southern California version of MACS, the Los Angeles Men’s Study (LAMS), for over 25 years.
Despite health challenges that ended his tenure as an intensive care RN at Desert Regional Medical Center, Yinger remained committed to community service. He volunteered at the Desert AIDS Project for over two decades, dedicating nearly 10,000 hours to counseling, educating, and advocating for HIV testing.
Yinger also taught blood-borne pathogen classes at various healthcare organizations in the Coachella Valley. He notably contributed to the Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine, an organization serving the homeless in the valley’s neighborhood parks.
In the late 1990s, Yinger transitioned into the entertainment industry as “Steve Hurley,” promoting inclusivity and body positivity for gay men in the adult entertainment sector. As “Steve Hurley,” Yinger became a global figure, promoting authenticity and acceptance at numerous LGBTQ+ events.
Despite facing two separate cancer diagnoses, Yinger emerged as a two-time survivor, offering hope and inspiration to others facing similar trials. His impact extended far and wide, leaving an indelible mark on countless friends, admirers, and fans worldwide.
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