Jim Dressel

Captain James K. Dressel (October 14, 1943 – March 24, 1992) was an Air Force pilot, and a Michigan politician in the 1970s and early 1980s. Although he was a conservative Republican, in 1983 he co-sponsored the state's first bill to protect gay and lesbian people from discrimination in employment and housing. He was profiled in Randy Shilts' book Conduct Unbecoming in the chapter "Heroes".[1]

Biography

Dressel was born in Holland, Michigan to German and Dutch parents, and raised in the United Methodist Church.[1] He graduated from Hope College in 1967, then enlisted in the Air Force. Beginning in 1970, he served a tour of duty in the Vietnam War, piloting fighter jets and bombing enemy supply runs from a base in Thailand, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross and other decorations.[1]

Following his military service, he became a member of the Air National Guard and began a career in politics as a Republican. He was elected to the Ottawa County Commission, and served as county treasurer before being elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 1978, serving the 95th District.[2] Although he was a conservative Goldwater Republican, he cooperated with Democratic legislators on programs to aid the city of Detroit and other practical issues facing the state.[1]

He surprised his constituents in 1983 by co-sponsoring House Bill 5000, an amendment to the state's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on "sexual orientation" in employment and housing. A 40-year-old bachelor, he was subsequently speculated to be gay, but refused at the time to confirm or deny it, citing the principle he was trying to demonstrate: that it shouldn't matter.[1] He was soundly defeated in the Republican primary for re-election in 1984, by a candidate he had easily out-polled in the previous primary.[3]

He was later somewhat more open about his homosexuality, and became active in advocating civil rights protection for gay and lesbian people, including a stint leading the Michigan Organization for Human Rights.[3] He died of AIDS-related pneumonia in 1992, at the age of 48.[3] The Michigan Legislature passed a resolution honoring him upon his death.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Shilts, Randy (1993). Conduct Unbecoming: Gays & Lesbians in the U.S. Military. St. Martin's Press. pp. 439–442. ISBN 0-312-09261-X.
  2. ↑ "Index to Politicians: Drasin to Drexler". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 VerBeek, Todd (May 1992). "Jim Dressel (Oct. 14, 1943 - Mar. 24, 1992)". Network News. Retrieved 2007-07-22.


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