Kamm, Greg, 1950-2008.

Member of SDS (Students for Democratic Society) at Western Michigan University and leader in two early Michigan Gay Rights groups, Kalamazoo Gay Liberation and the Gay Liberation Movement (in East Lansing): Worked as an English as a Second Language teacher in Lansing before serving in the Peace Corps and teaching English in Thailand, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia. Also worked for UNESCO in Laos, observed elections in South Africa and Mozambique, and traveled widely through Europe, Asia, and Africa.

From the description of Greg Kamm photographs. 1967-2007. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 497034845

From the description of Greg Kamm papers, 1963-2008. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 497028610

Gregory Curtis Kamm, the only child of Jack and Maxine Kamm, was born October 15, 1950 in Muskegon, MI. He attended Muskegon Catholic Central High School and there began a life-long attachment to Catholicism that was interrupted by deep spiritual doubts and questions during undergraduate and graduate studies. Michigan State University declined to accept Kamm upon his high school graduation and he instead entered Western Michigan University where he soon became involved with the New Left movement. He attended SDS meetings, contributed to the Western Activist (a publication produced by the group Students for Social Involvement (SSI)), and helped organize a large takeover of the WMU student center.

After being detained and referred to school authorities for his role in the student center events, Kamm's activism became focused on his involvement with the burgeoning Gay Rights movement. He helped co-found Kalamazoo Gay Liberation, the first known Gay Rights group in the city, and was an officer in Michigan State University's Gay Liberation Movement (GLM) after being admitted to graduate school. During his tenure at MSU, GLM solidified its place in history by helping to pass a progressive anti-discrimination ordinance in East Lansing.

After spending the summer of 1973 in New York City, Kamm grew disillusioned with elements in the Gay Rights movement and gradually cut off his affiliation with the Gay Liberation Movement and related organizations. He taught English as a Second Language (ESL) through the 1970's and early 80's and traveled widely; these two activities would remain constants for the remainder of his life. In 1985, Kamm began a stint with the Peace Corps and then worked as an ESL instructor in Thailand, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia. In between positions, he toured Southeast Asia, India, and Africa; served as a formal observer in free elections in Mozambique, South Africa, and Cambodia; and worked for UNESCO in Laos.

Greg Kamm died on June 3, 2008 in Saudi Arabia (where he was working at the time) after being hospitalized for several months due to complications from Hepatitis A contracted while he was on vacation in India in December 2007.

From the guide to the Greg Kamm papers, 1963-2009, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)