BY BTL STAFF
A special gathering is planned Sept. 17 at 11 a.m. at the McGregor Conference Center at Wayne State University, 495 West Ferry Ave. in Detroit, to celebrate the life and times of Jeffrey Montgomery, pioneering activist and the founding executive director of the Triangle Foundation (now Equality Michigan).
Under Montgomery's leadership, the Triangle Foundation grew from a small band of friends in 1991, to a state-wide political organization that took on a range of pertinent LGBTQ issues, including hate crimes, police misconduct, the reprehensible "gay panic" defense, and the political rights of the LGBTQ community. Throughout his life Montgomery was honored by leaders and organizations at both the state and national levels for his advocacy and role in advancing civil and human rights. A powerful visionary, Montgomery helped lead not only an organization for LGBTQ rights in Michigan, but he was also the co-chair of the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Projects. Montgomery was a frequent media presence and nationally respected advocate who helped with founding the Equality Federation and contributed to many other components of the overall modern-day movement for human rights.
In 2010, the Triangle Foundation evolved into Equality Michigan after merging with the Lansing-based Michigan Equality. EQMI inherited the massive body of work, high-bar legacy, and the strong foundation Montgomery laid for the continued progress the community is still experiencing today.
In the words of his brother, John Montgomery, "What an incredible person he was and what a champion for human rights." EQMI looks forward to seeing everyone at the memorial to celebrate every bit of that champion.
Read more about Montgomery's history online. For those who want to preserve and highlight the legacy of his work, a donation to fund the documentary of his life, "America, You Kill Me," is suggested.
