December 19, 1983 – April 28, 2016
Kalamazoo resident Esmeralda Bermudez graduated from Traverse City High School in 2005, earned her associates degree from Northern Michigan College, and worked as a dental technician. She was survived by two daughters and her wife Jade Austin Morgan.
September 12, 1950 – May 24, 2016
A native of Detroit, Anne Birch graduated from East Catholic High School in 1968 and remained a resident of the city until the early 1980s. After moving to Florida, she had a 30-year career with the Water and Wastewater Engineering Division of Broward County.
June 6, 1929 – March 14, 2016
From 1948 to 1954, June Ann Peppas played first base and as a pitcher with the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, including the Battle Creek Belles and the Kalamazoo Lassies teams. She earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Western Michigan University and later operated PJ’s Printing in Allegan with her life partner of 46 years, Polly Huitt.
May 9, 1953 – July 18, 2016
Jeffrey Montgomery graduated from Grosse Pointe South High School and earned his B.A. from Michigan State University. Montgomery was active in the effort to restore Orchestra Hall in Detroit in the 1980s before helping to found in 1991 the Triangle Foundation. As Triangle’s executive director, he battled hate crimes and championed sexual freedom and LGBTQ rights.
Detroit Free Press, July 19, 2016
January 11, 1951 – November 7, 2016
Twin Oak resident Amy Oak taught special education and led teacher training workshops throughout Michigan. An avid gardener, cook, community activist, and drummer, she performed with her wife Barbara Pitcher in the musical ensemble Framing Rhythm.
January 10, 1931 – May 4, 2016
Outspoken Detroit attorney George Maurer served active duty in the U.S. Army from 1949 to 1955 and another 27 years in the Army Reserves. A co-founder of Wellness House, he earned his B.A. and J.D. from Wayne State University and was also a longtime co-owner of Gigi’s nightclub.
December 4, 1945 – January 11, 2016
A founder in 1979 of the Lansing Association for Human Rights, William Beachler later helped establish the Pride Scholarship for LGBT students at his alma mater Michigan State University.
August 19, 1922 – May 18, 2016
Renowned art historian Marvin Eisenberg hosted discreet parties at the center of Ann Arbor’s gay social scene during the 1950s, a time when university and city officials frowned on any open homosexuality.
May 11, 1955 – September 14, 2016
Larry Zimmerman worked as a real estate agent and was a founding member in 1980 of the Motor City Business Forum. He later served as dean at Macomb Community College. Zimmerman was survived by his partner of 37 years, husband Stuart Itzkowitz.
April 1, 1967 – March 18, 2016
Mary Beth Dietz earned a B.A. in English from Michigan State University and taught English in Wisconsin before returning to school to become a chiropractor. She and LeAnne Ray became the first same-sex couple married in Michigan City, Indiana.
Grosse Pointe News, March 24, 2016
Michigan LGBTQ Remember 