Groundbreaking Activist Jeffery Montgomery By Christopher Annino

Jeffrey Montgomery brother of famed New England musician James Montgomery was an American LGBT activist and public relations executive. In 1984, his partner, Michael, was shot to death outside a Detroit gay bar, prompting Montgomery to engage in LGBT advocacy. He started work on LGBT anti-violence issues upon learning that the police were not spending many resources on solving the murder, "just another gay killing".

In 1991 Montgomery became the founding executive director of the Triangle Foundation, and served until September 2007. Initially engaging in victim advocacy around LGBT violence, and to improve handling of LGBT related cases, the foundation's work expanded to LGBT civil rights and advocacy, with projects for anti-violence, media activism, and legislative education on LGBT civil rights. He became nationally known for his work and served at numerous organizations. Montgomery was among a group of LGBT activists, representing NCAVP, invited to Washington, D.C. for meetings beginning in 1997 with senior policy officials at the White House.

In 2000, he delivered the inaugural Matthew Shepard Memorial Lecture at Brown University.[6] That address, "America...You Kill Me," was dedicated to Matthew Shepard.

In 2002, Montgomery was invited, with other LGBT leaders from across the country, to meet with and inform United States Senators about the issues and challenges facing the LGBT community.

In 2004, he helped organize opposition to Michigan's same-sex marriage constitutional amendment. In July 18, 2016 Jeffery had passed away. In the years prior to his death, he was working on a feature-length documentary showcasing his work in Detroit's LGBT community. The film, America You Kill Me, was scheduled to be released in 2016.

“Jeffrey was my brother and we want to share his important story in the battle to achieve equal rights for all those in the LBGTQ community and beyond. Please join me in raising funds for the documentary "America You Kill Me" about his life as a warrior for Civil Rights. It's a story of dedication and sacrifice and important not only as a character study of a fearless activist but also as an inquiry into what it takes for social change to occur. By contributing to our fiduciary sponsor, Documentary Education Resources (a 501c Non-Profit) you can provide us with vital finishing funds to launch this film in 2021. Whether its $10 or $1,000 every bit counts. Please provide you e-mail address to ensure that your donation receives your charitable tax deduction” James Montgomery if you wish to donate please go to https://www.facebook.com/donate/184828263291793/

In June 2019, Montgomery was one of the inaugural fifty American “pioneers, trailblazers, and heroes” inducted on the National LGBTQ Wall of Honor within the Stonewall National Monument (SNM) in New York City’s Stonewall Inn. The SNM is the first U.S. national monument dedicated to LGBTQ rights and history, and the wall's unveiling was timed to take place during the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots.