Michael Weltmann (February 28, 1949 - January 27, 1992)

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Michael Weltmann was born on February 28, 1949, in Trenton, New Jersey, to Louis Nicholas and Jennie Weltmann. He was the eldest of three boys. In 1970 Weltmann earned his BS in Language Arts from Trenton State College(TSC). The years spent at TSC gave birth to his activist career, as he was elected president of the Student Union and also became heavily involved with the Vietnam protests. Weltmann also met Kate Donohue at TSC, and they were married in June of 1970. In 1971 Weltmann and Donohue moved to the Philadelphia area. Weltmann began his twelve year career as a social worker at the Eromin Center, holding positions such as Adolescent Service Director and serving on the Board of Directors. From 1972-75 he advocated for gay children and foster parents, and began a program for them in the Division of Youth and Family Services. From 1973-74 he was involved with the Association of Lesbian and Gay Social Workers. In 1975, Weltmann came out as a gay man, and he and Donohue were divorced.

Weltmann returned to TSC to study nursing in 1984, and graduated in 1987. In August 1987, he moved to New York City and became an RN at New York University Medical Center. He eventually became Assistant Head Nurse, where he remained until 1992. Weltmann's major work began when he became involved with the International Gay Association (later known as the International Lesbian and Gay Association [ILGA]) in 1978. Through his involvement with ILGA he addressed issues ranging from health to international human rights. As co-chair and founder of the Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center ILGA Committee in New York City, Weltmann obtained Department of Public Information status for ILGA within the United Nations. He also brought the first openly gay delegation to the U.N. on World AIDS Day of 1991. Shortly after this, on January 27, 1992, Weltmann passed away as a result of AIDS complications.


AIDS Quilt

His papers are held at the Center, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center in NYC.

Source: http://www.gaycenter.org/community/archive/collection/021

Further Readings:

We Are Everywhere: A Historical Sourcebook of Gay and Lesbian Politics by Mark Blasius and Shane Phelan
Paperback: 864 pages
Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (February 9, 1997)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0415908590
ISBN-13: 978-0415908597
Amazon: We Are Everywhere: A Historical Sourcebook of Gay and Lesbian Politics

We Are Everywhere brings together the key primary sources relating to the politics of homosexuality. Tracing the evolution of the lesbian and gay movement, We Are Everywhere includes writings from the beginnings of the gay and lesbian movement in the 19th century ; legal and government studies concerning rights of gay and lesbian citizens; articles from the early US liberation movement publications; documents from the first days of the AIDS epidemic to current activism; statements and writings from the movements within "the movement"; and finally, alook at the future of lesbian and gay politics.

More LGBT History at my website: www.elisarolle.com/, My Ramblings/Gay Classics