David May

David May pic

June 4, 1969 – July 26, 1996

David Scott May was 1987 graduate of Holt High School, where he was a champion diver.  May was preceded in death in 1995 by his lifetime soulmate Klayton Shepard.  He died from AIDS-related complications at age 27.

Lansing State Journal, July 28, 1996

Jennifer Holiday Chanel

Jennifer Holiday Chanel pic

June 9, 1969 – November 15, 2020

An early member of the House of Chanel, Jennifer Holiday Chanel graduated with the class of 1987 from Flint Central High School and went on to attend Eastern Michigan University.  She performed at the Nectarine in Ann Arbor, later worked at Gigi’s in Detroit, and won the Miss Gigi’s title in 1997.  The Performers Awards of Detroit honored Chanel with its Bookie Stewart Hall of Fame Award in 2017.

Between The Lines [online only], November 19, 2020

Diane Kotila

Diane Kotila pic

May 28, 1969 – June 23, 1990

Diane Kotila was born in Southfield and graduated with the class of 1987 from Kimball High School in Royal Oak.  She was a student at Oakland University and was employed by William Beaumont Hospital.  After losing her life in an automobile accident, friends held a benefit at the Railroad Crossing for a fund in her name at Affirmations to help provide lesbian and gay youth with counseling and support.

Royal Oak Daily Tribune, June 24, 1990

Affirmations newsletter, September 1990