Melvin Dwork

Melvin Dwork (February 9, 1922 – June 14, 2016) was an American interior designer and LGBT activist. He was discharged from the United States Navy in World War II for his homosexuality. He eventually had his dishonorable discharge changed to honorable in 2011. Following the war, he studied design and won several awards.

Early life and education Dwork was born on February 9, 1922, at Kansas City, Missouri, to parents Henry Dwork and the former Esther Brown.

Naval discharge status Dwork spent years trying to remove his naval discharge status from "undesirable" to "honorable." With support from pro-gay and lesbian military employees and veterans, Dwork succeeded in winning that status change in 2011, shortly before the U.S. military ended its "don't ask, don't tell" policy. Dwork is thought to have been the first World War II veteran to expunge an "undesirable" discharge. The ruling entitled him to veterans benefits.

Filmmaker Michael Jacoby made a still-unreleased documentary, titled The Undesirable, about Dwork's case.

Personal life According to Dwork, he and choreographer John Butler were companions from 1961 until 1993, when Butler died.

Dwork lived in Manhattan until his death on June 14, 2016, at the age of 94. He was survived by a brother, Irvin.