Michael Dively (born December 30, 1938) is an American politician and philanthropist. He served as a Republican member of the Michigan House of Representatives from 1968 to 1975, representing Traverse City, Michigan. He has supported LGBT rights in Key West, Florida and public education in Michigan.
Michael Augustus Dively | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 30, 1938 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | University School Williams College University of Michigan Law School American University |
| Occupation | Politician, philanthropist |
Early life
editMichael Dively was born in 1938 in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.[1] His father was the chairman of the Harris Corporation.[2]
Dively was educated at the University School and graduated from Williams College.[1][2] He received a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and another graduate degree from American University.[1]
Career
editDively worked as a lawyer in Traverse City, Michigan from 1964 to 1968.[1] He served as a Republican member of the Michigan House of Representatives from 1968 to 1975, representing Traverse City.[1] The seat was previously held by Arnell Engstrom,[3] and he was succeeded by Connie Binsfeld. He subsequently served as Deputy Director of the Michigan Department of Commerce,[4] until he was appointed as Director of the Energy Administration.[1] He later served as the Chair of the Michigan Civil Service Commission.[1]
Dively taught Government at Albion College and American University.[1]
Philanthropy
editDively served on the board of trustees of Hiram College.[1] He was a co-founder of the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys, the Gay Lesbian Community Center of Key West, and the Key West AIDS Memorial.[1]
Dively endowed the Michael Dively American Government Award Endowment at the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation, which supports public schools in Traverse City, Michigan.[1]
Personal life
editDively was engaged to a woman, Charlotte Lyeth, in 1978.[2] He is now openly gay.[5] He was in the closet while he held public office.[5] He resides in Winter Park, Florida.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "MICHAEL DIVELY AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AWARD ENDOWMENT". Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
- ^ a b c "Charlotte Lyeth Is Fiancee of Michael Dively". The New York Times. April 16, 1978. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
- ^ "New Legislator". Traverse City Record-Eagle. Traverse City, Michigan. November 6, 1968. p. 1. Retrieved August 21, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ex-Lawmaker Back on Payroll". Ironwood Daily Globe. Ironwood, Michigan. January 30, 1975. p. 9. Retrieved August 21, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Richard A. Heyman Dies at 59; One of First Openly Gay Mayors". The New York Times. September 17, 1994. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
"When he was elected to the city commission there were very few if any openly gay and lesbians who had been elected to any public office in this country," said Michael Dively of Key West, who in the 1960s and 1970s served six years in the Michigan Legislature without disclosing he is homosexual.
External links
edit- Michael A. Dively Papers at Williams College Archives & Special Collections