Brian Coyle

Brian John Coyle (June 25, 1944 – August 23, 1991) was an American community leader, elected official, and gay activist.

He returned to Minneapolis in 1968, worked at the Twin Cities Draft Information Center, and was one of the founders of the alternative newspaper Hundred Flowers.

Locally, Coyle spent much time in the mid-to-late-1970s working on tenants' rights issues, and campaigning (unsuccessfully) for a rent control ordinance.

[1] In 1978, Coyle ran as an independent candidate for US Senator, in a special election to complete the term of Hubert Humphrey (losing to David Durenberger).

In 1983, he won election to the City Council, where he concentrated on affordable housing, human rights, economic development, the environment and transportation.

On October 13, 1996, a commissioned bust of Coyle, created by artist Deborah Richert, was unveiled in the rotunda of Minneapolis' City Hall.