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During the campaign, foes had written vile things about him and his appearance on social media. When the council voted on the measure in February 2017, 700 people attended the meeting, which had to be moved to a local theater to accommodate the crowd.īefore the meeting, Joly counseled his charges. He seemed fearless in the face of it.”Īs support for the ordinance grew, so did opposition. “He put himself right out there in a town where that’s maybe not safe,” local activist Cindy Eby said with a laugh. In a community where many gays remained in the closet, Joly was willing to be the public face of the campaign, giving speeches, talking to the media. He sought support from local organizations, not just gay rights groups but anyone who might be sympathetic. Joly became a fixture at City Council meetings, repeatedly touting the benefits of the ordinance, said acquaintances. The law would prohibit bias in employment, housing and public facilities. In 2016, some Jackson residents mounted yet another bid for a nondiscrimination ordinance. He talked a mile a minute about all the things they had done and wanted to do.” “You could tell he was proud,” said Stephens. The center was open limited hours and located in a single room in the church basement.ĭespite the modest surroundings, Joly had grandiose plans, said Stephens. Shortly after the opening of the pride center, Joly tried to recruit Shane Stephens as an intern. Joly’s most passionate work involves gay rights, said acquaintances. “He goes out of his way to help anybody and everybody. “If there’s a cause he’s always there,” said Terri McKinnon, a former treasurer of the pride center. He spends most of his time volunteering, with the pride center, the Red Cross, a church food pantry and neighborhood cleanups. He had worked as a nursing aide but retired because of a form of glaucoma that impairs his vision. Joly, who has a grown daughter, recently married his longtime girlfriend, Chris Moore, a consultant for a medical firm. His adoptive parents declined to comment. He was adopted by a Jehovah’s Witnesses couple who, because of his gender identity, kicked him out of the house at 15, he said. He flittered from one foster home to another. His mother wasn’t able to take care of him so she gave him up, Joly said in speeches, according to audience members.
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He also would recount his personal story. “I’m infuriated someone could tear down the community that way.”īesides his work in Jackson, Joly traveled around Michigan, telling gay rights groups about his activism.
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We know one bad mark outshines a hundred good ones,” Shananaquet said. Stella Shananaquet, whose son is gay, said leaders of social movements need to be beyond reproach because any perceived missteps could be used against their cause. There was plenty of media coverage already before the fire.”Ī hearing to file motions in the case is scheduled for March 8 in Jackson County Circuit Court.Īs gay rights supporters try to reconcile Joly the crusader with Joly the alleged arsonist, they worry the arrest could be used to reverse all the good he has done. Joly's attorney, Daniel Barnett of Grand Rapids, said his client already had lots of attention for his gay rights activism, and wasn't looking for more.