In 1984, his partner, Michael, was shot to death outside a Detroit gay bar, prompting Montgomery to engage in LGBT advocacy.

He started work on LGBT anti-violence issues upon learning that the police were not spending many resources on solving the murder, "just another gay killing".

[1] In 1984, his partner, Michael, was shot to death outside a Detroit gay bar, prompting Montgomery to engage in LGBT advocacy.

[1][2] By 2003, the organization had grown to five paid staff and hundreds of volunteers, and had helped about 5,000 victims of LGBT-related discrimination, harassment, or violence.

[1][2][3][5] He was motivated to work on LGBT anti-violence issues after learning from a Wayne County prosecutor a day after Michael's funeral that the Detroit Police Department was not spending many resources on solving the murder, calling it "just another gay killing".

[24] He was also an inaugural member of the WikiQueer Global Advisory Board and served as Strategic Counsel to the wiki's parent organization, The Aequalitas Project.

[25] Montgomery was among a group of LGBT activists, representing NCAVP, invited to Washington, D.C. for meetings beginning in 1997 with senior policy officials at the White House.

[29][30] Montgomery was named, along with twelve others, a "Michiganian of the Year" for 2002 by the Detroit News,[2][6] stating "He turned personal tragedy into a fight for gay equality".

[5] In May 2003, Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm honored his work with a special tribute, calling him a "hero and living legend".

[11] The governor also noted that he was "among the most visible and accomplished advocates for safety and equality of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in Michigan history".

[32][33] The SNM is the first U.S. national monument dedicated to LGBTQ rights and history,[34] and the wall's unveiling was timed to take place during the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots.