June 26, 1939 – July 3, 1998
Police arrested 20-year-old Muskegon native John Leon Allen in January 1960 in a crackdown on homosexual activity at the University of Michigan. He was permitted to graduate, doing so with honors. He went on to earn his library science degree at the University in 1964 and his Ph.D. in 1974. Allen later served as longtime columnist for the Muskegon Chronicle, coming out to his readers in the early 1990s.
Muskegon Chronicle, July 4, 1998
February 15, 1939 – April 5. 1995
Grand Rapids native and Alpine Township resident Daniel Kenneth Brauer graduated from Ottawa Hillls High School in 1957 and served in the U.S. Navy from 1961 to 1963. Brauer was pastor of the Muskegon Metropolitan Community Church from 1991 until his death from carbon monoxide poisoning due to a faulty water heater in his home. He also served a vice chair of Muskegon Area AIDS Resource Services.
Muskegon Chronicle, April 7, 1995
Third Coast Magazine, May 1995
May 25, 1939 – September 17, 2017
Born in Mason, Karen Anne Knudstrup graduated from Mason High School, earned her Bacherlor’s in social science in 1961 at Michigan State University, and went on to teach physical education in Catholic and public high schools in Chicago. She was a delegate in the teacher’s union and also served in the U.S. Navy Reserves. Knudstrup was survived by Diana Haskell, her partner of 52 years.
March 14, 1939 – January 5, 2017
The supportive mother of her gay son, Dorothy Lee Lawrence was born in Albion and spent much of her life in Battle Creek. She worked as a secretary and transcriptionist before enjoying a 24-year career with the Kellogg Company, all while raising a family. After retiring to Florida, she became active with the local chapter of Parents, Friends, and Families of Lesbians and Gays.
April 5, 1939 – March 9, 2018
Robert Francis “Bobby” Schorle was an icon in the Grand Rapids gay community. Schorle was longtime co-owner of various bars, including the Carousel Lounge, Turn About, Carousel II, and the Cell. He was also instrumental in creating the local Queen of Hearts pageant. Born in Chicago, Schorle grew up on a fruit farm in Fennville and graduated from Fennville High School in 1957.
August 10, 1939 – January 9, 2016
Northville resident Carolee Moss earned a Bachelor’s in speech pathology, taught elementary school, and raised her family in New Jersey, Maine, and New York before landing in Ann Arbor. She earned a Master’s at Wayne State University and retired from Detroit Medical Center. Moss was an early member of Suburban Women Together and was active with the Senior Koffee Klatch at Affirmations.
May 24, 1939 – July 20, 2003
Thomas Weier was 20 at the time of his arrest on felony charges in January 1960 in a crackdown on homosexual activity on campus at the University of Michigan. Later a noted psychiatrist, he was employed at the Mayo clinic for thirty years, and then served as medical director for the Pride Institute. Weier was survived by a daughter and son, an ex-wife, and his partner Kee Paisansinsup.
January 30, 1939 – September 1, 2016
Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Deborah Ann Mortimer graduated from Grosse Pointe South High School, attended Albion College, and earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Oakland University. An avid golfer and artist, she taught elementary school from 1974 to 2004. Mortimer and her life partner of 40 years Liana Holton shared a home in Bloomfield Hills.
January 1, 1939 – February 14, 2003
Anne Tracy was bibliographer with Special Collections in the Michigan State University Libraries, responsible for amassing one of the finest collections of LGBTQ materials in the Midwest.
Michigan LGBTQ Remember 