Background
Dressel was born in Holland, Michigan to German and Dutch parents, and raised in the United Methodist Church.
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James Captain
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He graduated from Hope College in 1967, then enlisted in the Air Force.
Career
Although he was a conservative Republican, in 1983 he co-sponsored the state"s first bill to protect gay and lesbian people from discrimination in employment and housing. He was profiled in Randy Shilts" book Conduct Unbecoming in the chapter "Heroes". He was elected to the Ottawa County Commission, and served as county treasurer before being elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 1978, serving the 95th District.
Although he was a conservative Goldwater Republican, he cooperated with Democratic legislators on programs to aid the city of Detroit and other practical issues facing the state.
He surprised his constituents in 1983 by co-sponsoring House Bill 5000, an amendment to the state"s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Acting to prohibit discrimination based on "sexual orientation" in employment and housing. A 40-year-old bachelor, he was subsequently speculated to be gay, but refused at the time to confirm or deny it, citing the principle he was trying to demonstrate: that it shouldn"t matter.
He was soundly defeated in the Republican primary for re-election in 1984, by a candidate he had easily out-polled in the previous primary. He was later somewhat more open about his homosexuality, and became active in advocating civil rights protection for gay and lesbian people, including a stint leading the Michigan Organization for Human Rights.
He died of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome-related pneumonia in 1992, at the age of 48.
The Michigan Legislature passed a resolution honoring him upon his death.
Achievements
Membership
Following his military service, he became a member of the Air National Guard and began a career in politics as a Republican.
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Born
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Died
March 24, 1992 (aged 48) -
Nationality
United States