Richard A. Heyman

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]

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]