by Evelyn Bailey
On June 30, 2010 the Gay Alliance presented the 35th Annual Vinnie – Vickie Cups to Sean Johnson and Pam Barres. Who are Vinnie and Vickie? What are the awards given for? Who started presenting them and when?
From 1975 to 1984 there was only the Vinnie Cup. In 1984 the first Vickie Cup was awarded. Arnie Pegish, the then owner of the Bachelor Forum, established this award in memory of his late business partner, Vinnie Wheeler. The award is presented to an individual who has made significant contributions to Rochester’s gay community.
From the Empty Closet, March, 1975: Vinnie Wheeler was a loving man who was never too busy to help those in need. He is remembered with love and thanks by those who knew him and by those who came after him as a symbol of greater understanding and commitment. Vinnie Wheeler whose name is on the prestigious award, left the gay community with a challenge. Arnie states that it is “a challenge to do our part to help make the gay community in Rochester one of the strongest in the country.”
The first Vinnie Cup was presented on March 16, 1975 to Ted Aldrich at a benefit dinner in memory of Vinnie Wheeler. The Benefit was held in the Vintage Room of the Bachelor Forum ( I am sure many remember this room at the Forum on Main St, downtown Rochester). The proceeds from the dinner went to support the Albany lobbying efforts by the New York State Coalition of Gay Organizations (NYSCGO), represented by Rochester’s Ted Aldrich.
The aim of the lobbying effort was to make consensual sodomy between two consenting adults legal. Ted’s efforts and those of many others were realized when in New York the sodomy law was struck down by People v. Onofre, (N.Y. 1980) and repealed by the legislature in 2000.
After the presentation Jim, farmer owner of Jim’s, spoke and called for 30 seconds of silence for Vinnie Wheeler. Charles Jeanotte, pastor of the Rochester Community Church at this time, announced that a plaque was being placed in the Church in honor of Vinnie. Following this announcement, Bob Crystal, President of the Gay Brotherhood of Rochester, presented a certificate of honorary membership to Arnie for his service to the gay community far beyond and above the call of duty.
The first Vicki Russo Humanitarian Cup Award was presented in 1984 to Ginny Shear and Sue Slate. Named in honor of Vicki Russo, an employee at Arnie Pegish’s Bachelor Forum for many years, the Vicki Cup, is annually given to a woman in the community who has given outstanding service, whether paid or volunteered, to the general community including the gay and lesbian community.
Vicki Russo, long time activist, humanitarian and friend of the gay community, did volunteer work at St. Joseph’s House of Hospitality, helped raise money for the Al Sigl Center, St. Joseph’s Villa, prepared many dinners for gay men and women who did not have any place to go on Thanksgiving, and sent many housebound brothers and sisters meals on wheels at the beginning of the AIDS crisis.
Vicki wrote letters to the editor when she saw community issues becoming divisive, she spoke up for what was right, contributed much to the well being of the community, and challenged everyone in the community to get along.
"Many of you remember Vicki, the pushy broad who was always after money for the needy, the homeless, the disabled, the retarded, the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley. Vicki was one hell of a non-gay who realized that titles and stereotypes mean nothing. Vicki loved us all.” (EC,1984)
Shoulders To Stand On is very proud to recognize these two pillars of the community. Vinnie Wheeler and Vicki Russo reflect a passion and willingness to speak out for justice, reach out to those in need in our community.