Collections by Michelle Brown WSG Jim Toy and Travis Radina

The name “Jim Toy” is synonymous with the queer movement in the state of Michigan. 

The first publicly “out” man in Michigan, Jim was a founding member of the Ann Arbor Gay Liberation Front.  In 1971 he established the first campus center in history devoted to the support of sexual minority group members. 

The Human Sexuality Office (HSO) at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor was later renamed The Spectrum Center Jim served as its Co-Coordinator, and Gay Male advocate at the Spectrum Center, from 1971 until 1994.

His status as a TBLG icon is based on over 40 years of tireless efforts to create safety and equality for people of all sexual and gender preferences through his speaking, teaching, writing, administrating, organizing and protesting.

The Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project an Ann Arbor resource center that existed to provide information, education, social events, and advocacy by and for the Queer and Ally community in the Washtenaw County area was renamed the Jim Toy Community Center in 2010 to honor this gay activist legend.

Travis Radina currently serves as the President of the Board of Directors at the Jim Toy Community Center. He  was appointed to serve as the LGBTQ liaison to the mayor’s office in the City of Ann Arbor Michigan.

He is also a senior global engagement manager at the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan, supporting the engagement efforts of alumni association chapters on the East Coast and in western and northern Michigan, and, working with several global affiliate groups, including the U-M LGBTQ Alumni and U-M Black Alumni.