Richard A. Heyman

Richard A. Heyman (c. 1935 – September 16, 1994) was an American mayor who was mayor of Key West, Florida from 1983 to 1985 and from 1987 to 1989. He was one of the first openly gay public officials in the United States.

Richard A. Heyman
Bornc. 1935
Ohio, US
DiedSeptember 16, 1994 (aged 58–59)
Key West, Florida, US
Alma materOhio State University
OccupationPolitician

Early life

Richard A. Heyman was born circa 1935. He grew up in Grand Rapids, Ohio.[1] He graduated from Ohio State University in 1957.[1]

Career

Heyman began his career as a schoolteacher in Grand Rapids, Ohio.[1] He later works in recruitment in Toledo, Ohio.[1] In the 1960s, he moved to Key West, Florida, where he co-founded the Gingerbread Square Gallery in 1972.[1]

Heyman served as the mayor of Key West, Florida from 1983 to 1985 and from 1987 to 1989.[1][2][3] He was one of the first openly gay public officials in the United States.[2] Under his leadership, the City of Key West passed a resolution to make it illegal for employers to fire staff who had HIV/AIDS.[1]

Personal life, death and legacy

Heyman had a long-time partner, John Kiraly.[1] He died of AIDS-related pneumonia on September 16, 1994.[1][2] He was 59 years old.[2]

His papers are held at the Cornell University Library in Ithaca, New York.[4]

The Richard A. Heyman Environmental Pollution Control Facility in Key West was named in his honor.[5] In 2010, a documentary about Richard Heyman's first term as mayor, directed by John Mikytuck, The Newcomer, was released.[4]

In 2018, Teri Johnston was elected as Key West's first openly lesbian mayor.[6]

References
  1. "Richard A. Heyman Dies at 59; One of First Openly Gay Mayors". The New York Times. September 17, 1994. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
  2. "Richard A. Heyman; Among First Openly Gay Officeholders". The Los Angeles Times. September 21, 1994. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
  3. "Heyman". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
  4. "Guide to the Richard Heyman Papers, 1983-1989". Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections Cornell University Library. Cornell University. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  5. "Wastewater Treatment". City of Key West, Florida. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
  6. "Key West Has a Florida First: City Elects Openly Lesbian Mayor". 7 November 2018.
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