Leading in LGBTQ+ Equality
Ann Arbor has long led the way in LGBTQ+ rights. Kathy Kozachenko made history on April 2, 1974 by successfully running for elective office as the first openly gay or lesbian candidate in the United States.
As a then a 21-year-old University of Michigan student, she ran as a member of the Human Rights Party (HRP) representing the Second Ward of the City of Ann Arbor. Kozachenko was preceded on City Council by fellow Human Rights Party members Jerry DeGrieck, a gay man, and Nancy Wechsler, a lesbian, who, while not out at the time of their
elections in 1972, made history in their own right by becoming the first gay and lesbian elected officials to come out while serving in elected office.
Ann Arbor has continued to lead in LGBTQ+ advocacy. See the following documents for examples of Ann Arbors efforts at greater equality for the LGBTQ+ community.
