James Willis Toy was a long-time American activist and a pioneer for LGBT rights in Michigan.
17 Facts About Jim Toy
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Jim Toy graduated with a master's degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Michigan and served as a pro bono counselor and therapist.
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Jim Toy identified as being gay during his speech at an anti-Vietnam War rally in Kennedy Square, Detroit, in April 1970.
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Jim Toy was a founding member of the Ann Arbor Gay Liberation Front.
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Jim Toy served as its Co-Coordinator, and Gay Male advocate, from 1971 until 1994.
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In 1972, Jim Toy co-authored the first official "Lesbian-Gay Pride Week Proclamation" by a US governing body, the Ann Arbor City Council.
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Jim Toy engaged in the campaigns to create and retain the City of Ypsilanti's non-discrimination ordinance.
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In 1971, Bishop Richard Emrich of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan appointed Jim Toy a founding member of the Diocesan Commission on Homosexuality.
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Jim Toy was a founding board member of the Oasis TBLG Outreach Ministry of the Diocese and served as the secretary.
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Jim Toy co-founded the Ann Arbor Gay Hotline in 1972 and served as its Coordinator and Trainer until 1985.
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Jim Toy was a former executive board member of Guild House.
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Jim Toy was a trained mediator and trainer for the American Friends Service Committee Inclusive Justice Program's non-violent-dialogue training.
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Jim Toy was a member of the Program Committee of the AFSC Michigan's Inclusive Justice Program.
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Jim Toy served on Equality Michigan's Board of Advisors and the WikiQueer Global Advisory Board.
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Jim Toy's archives are housed in the James W Toy Papers at the University of Michigan's Bentley Historical Library.
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Jim Toy was included in the Gallery of the LGBT Religious Archives Network.
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Jim Toy died in Ann Arbor on January 1,2022, at the age of 91.