by Evelyn Bailey
In previous issues we looked at WHAT the Gay Liberation Front at the University of Rochester was. We looked at WHO the driving force behind the organization was. In this issue we want to look at WHAT DID THE GLF DO?
The accomplishments of the Gay Liberation Front at the University of Rochester can be summarized in one word – VISIBILITY. The members of the GLF were naturally catapulted into the public arena. Their commitment to educating the public and speaking out resulted in being OUT and VISIBLE themselves.
Karen Hagberg, a student at the Eastman School of Music, came out publicly when she and two other students, R J Alcala and Jim Fishman, did a TV spot on WXXI channel 21, on July 14, 1971 on a talk show “Call 21.” The show aired live so no copies were made at the station.
Of the 129 calls that were received, one as far away as St. Catherines, Ontario left little doubt as to the extent or the magnitude of her “stepping out.” Her reply to the question, how were you able to muster the courage to come out like that back then, was “someone had to be out in a big way.”
This of course is rather simplistic when one realizes that the Dean of Students at the Eastman school, Flora Burton, where Hagberg was enrolled, and worked in the library, was alleged to have been “extracting signed confessions under pressure from students threatening to send the confessions to their parents or expel them if they didn't change their ways.” VISIBILITY for sure!
Prior to the interview on Channel 21, the first public forums on homosexuality held by the GLF Speakers Bureau were done at the University of Rochester and other area colleges. Starting at the University of Rochester in December 7, 1970, the Bureau spoke to a class in a Psychology Seminar. This first experience went well. The speakers at this event were cofounders of the GLF Larry Fine, Karen Hagberg, and R J Alcala. The Speakers Bureau and its members SPOKE OUT publicly in support of gay rights.
The importance of the Speakers Bureau for the gay movement in Rochester should not be underestimated. On February 23, 1971 for members of the speakers bureau gave a talk at Brockport University and another talk on March 11. On March 19, 1971 a group from the Gay Liberation Front also spoke at the campus at Geneseo.
These two speaking engagements are very important because at SUNY Brockport the Gay Freedom League formed in February, 1972 and at the campus at Geneseo the Gay Freedom Coalition formed by November, 1972. These groups were considered off-shoots of the University of Rochester GLF. They were the direct result of the VISIBILITY of members of the Speakers Bureau.
One of the most actively VISIBLE co-founders of the Gay Liberation Front at the U of R, and the co-founder of the Rochester Gay Task Force was Patti Evans. Patti Evans had an important influence on the history of the Rochester's gay community.
When Patti wrote an article for the UR Times, a University of Rochester student newspaper, that was reprinted in the first issue of the EC, she signed her name as Patricia Evers out of fear of being associated with the GLF. This attempt at invisibility did not work. Other students knew and commented to Patti on her misspelled name. From that point on Patti was out publicly and very VISIBLE.
Patti believed that the future of gay rights lay in the direct and open influence on legislators and institutions that affect them. Patty was active in several area organizations including the SUNY Brockport Gay Freedom League, the Gay Revolution of Women, and the Rochester Gay Task Force. In 1975 Patti Evans was appointed coordinator for Legislative Lobbying for the State of New York Coalition of Gay Organizations.
In November, 1970, the GLF published The Law and the Homosexual and testified before the Special Committee on Discrimination Against Homosexuals in New york City. Many members of the Rochester GLF attended the 1971 Christopher street March commemorating Stonewall.
In December, 1971 the GLF sent representatives to a statewide conference of gay groups in Albany to discuss legislation to ban discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations, licensing, bonding, and repeal of the sodomy laws, age of consent laws and other laws concerning crimes without victims. In February of 1972 the RGLF formed a Political Action Committee to continue working toward passing anti-discrimination legislation. VISIBILITY, VISIBILITY AND MORE VISIBILITY.
On April 8, 1973 the University of Rochester Gay liberation front voted to reorganize into two autonomous groups, students and city. Effective July 1, 1973 the Empty Closet publication was transferred to the new city group, the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley. The new city group continued to make VISIBILITY a priority through the continuous publication of the Empty Closet, the Speakers Bureau, and the Political Caucus.
Today, the gay community of Rochester reaps the benefits of this VISIBILITY. However lest we think our struggle is over, we need only look at the vestiges of oppression that remain in our own lives, and in the lives of our brothers and sisters to see there is more work on a to be done. Today more than ever before in our history, being VISIBLE is critical to creating and securing a safe, inclusive, free, and equal environment for all Rochestarians. We must BREAK THE SILENCE! We must SPEAK OUT! We must STAND UP and BE COUNTED!
July, Rochester Pride 2009 offers each and every one of us an opportunity to be VISIBLE.
Join us at the Flag Raising at City Hall on July 12!
Join us at the Pride Kick Off at the Strathallen on July 17!
March in the Parade and join us at the Pride Festival on July 18!
Join us at the Pride Picnic on July 19!