Anne Tischer-Bess Watts Marriage Equality

The Anne Tischer and Bess Watts Marriage Equality Collection

Records Inventory

Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley, Rochester, NY

 

[extent: 5 boxes + additional signs]

 

 

Box ME-1 – ephemera

• Manila envelope: thumb drive of digital files [see last page of this doc for details] and print-out of Anne Tischer and Bess Watts’ activism calendar, 2013
• Plastic bag containing materials from GetEQUAL’s “Get Equal for DADT” rally, May 2010:
  • White t-shirt [graphic, text “President Obama, I Want You to Tell Congress Repeal DADT Now”] worn by Anne Tischer during arrest from Get Equal for DADT
  • Four (4) 2″ stickers, “Get Equal”
  • Plastic wristband with headshot from Tischer’s arrest, May 2010
  • Post-it note with annotations from Tischer
• Two (2) blue ribbon sashes, “Just Married!” from first day of marriages at City Hall, 7/24/2011 [with Post-it note annotation from Tischer]
• Plastic bag containing various buttons, n.d.
  • Two (2) 2″ buttons, “Gay Marriage is a Civil Right – ISO”
  • Two (2) 2″ buttons, “Queer the Vote – National Gay and Lesbian Task Force”
  • Two (2) 2″ buttons, “Change on Board – Soulforce Q”
  • Two (2) 2″ buttons, “Support Marriage Equality – Soulforce”
  • One (1) 2″ button, Rochester PFLAG
  • Post-it note with annotations from Tischer
• Plastic bag labeled “Political Support,” n.d., including:
  • Two (2) 2″ buttons, Spitzer/Patterson, 2006
  • Seven (7) 2″ stickers, “Out for Kirsten” (Kirsten Gillibrand)
  • Mailer to tell Senator Robach to support marriage equality, from New Yorkers United for Marriage, n.d.
• Plastic bag containing buttons from Out & Equal, n.d.
  • Two (2) 1.5″ buttons, “Ability inclusive”
  • Two (2) 1.5″ buttons, “Gay inclusive”
  • Two (2) 1.5″ buttons, “Spirituality inclusive”
  • Three (3) 1.5″ buttons, “Transgender inclusive”
  • One (1) 1.5″ button, “Bi inclusive”
• Two (2) white foam tiaras with tulle “veil” (one plain, one with “SAME” and rainbow flag decorating the front), n.d.
• Plastic bag containing materials from Marriage Equality New York [MENY], n.d.
  • Three (3) MENY ballpoint pens
  • One (1) 3″ button, “Support Marriage Equality – ‘I DO'”
  • Two (2) 3″ buttons, “‘I DO’ Support Marriage Equality, MENY”
  • Three (3) flyers, “It’s Time to Say ‘I Do,'” n.d.
  • One (1) flyer, “MENY PAC needs you!” n.d.
  • Three (3) tri-fold brochures, “Marriage Equality New York / Say ‘I DO’,” n.d.
  • One (1) tri-fold brochure, “Marriage Equality New York / New Yorkers Say, ‘I DO!'” n.d.
  • Two (2) tri-fold brochures, “The Time is Now for Marriage Equality in New York,” n.d.
  • Twenty (20) 3″ stickers, “‘I DO’ Support Marriage Equality”
• Plastic bag containing GAGV buttons, n.d.
  • Two (2) 1.5″ buttons, Gay Alliance
  • Two (2) 1.5″ buttons, “Here. Queer. All Year.”
  • Two (2) 1.5″ buttons, “Born this Way”
  • One (1) 1.5″ button, “Youth Roc!”
• Plastic bag containing materials from Human Rights Campaign [HRC], n.d.
  • Nine (9) 1.5″ stickers, NY = Marriage Equality
  • Fourteen (14) rectangular stickers, = HRC
  • Four (4) rectangular stickers, New Yorkers for Marriage Equality
  • Three (3) business card-sized handouts, New Yorkers for Marriage Equality
  • Three (3) 4″x 6″ postcards, New Yorkers for Marriage Equality
  • Two (2) 3.5″x 5″ postcards, New Yorkers for Marriage Equality with MENY
  • Two (2) 3″ square stickers, [equal sign]
  • One (1) 3.5″x 5″ postcard, President Obama: Support Marriage Equality
• Plastic bag labeled “Rochester Labor and Pride at Work,” n.d., including:
  • Three (3) 2″ stickers, “Unity for Equality – CSEA”
  • One (1) decal, “Proud to Support my Gay Brothers and Sisters – CSEA”
  • One (1) small oval pin, “AFSCME” [rainbow lettering]
  • Two (2) 3″ stickers, “AFSCME – We Make Equality Happen”
  • Two (2) 3″ buttons, “Lavender Caucus: Another Shade of Purple – SEIU”
  • Two (2) 2″ square buttons, “Yes, We Can! WFSE LGBTQI”
  • One (1) 2″ button, “Working for Equality and Justice – UUP”
  • Two (2) 2″ buttons, “Gay Marriage Doesn’t Scare Me / No Healthcare Does!”
  • Three (3) 2.5″ stickers, “Sleep with the right people.org – LGBT + Labor”
  • One (1) decal, “One Nation Working Together”
  • Three (3) 2″ stickers, “Proud Union Queer”
  • Three (3) 1.5″ temporary tattoos, “Proud Union Queer”
• Plastic bag containing materials from Empire State Pride Agenda [ESPA], n.d.
  • One (1) 3″ sticker, “Equal Rights – No More No Less”
  • One (1) 3.5″ button, “Equal Rights – No More No Less”
  • Three (3) 3″ stickers, “LGBT Equality & Justice, Everyone, Everywhere”
  • One (1) 3″ sticker, “I Support Marriage Equality!”
  • Eleven (11) 3″ stickers, “Marriage Now!”
  • Three (3) 3″ stickers, “LGBT Equality and Justice Day”
  • One (1) 3″ sticker, “The Time is Now!”
  • Two (2) 2″ buttons, “All Families Deserve Equality”
  • Two (2) 2″ buttons, “Solidarity! !Solidaridad!”
  • One (1) 2″ button, “Empire State Pride Agenda Volunteer”
  • One (1) 2″ button, “All Families Deserve Equality”
• Bumper sticker: “Equal Rights Are NOT Special Rights,” n.d.
• Decal: “All Families Matter,” 2005
• Blue t-shirt [graphic, text: “Rochester Finger Lakes Pride at Work AFL-CIO / Out and Organizing,” n.d.]
• Black t-shirt [HRC equal sign logo, text: “New Yorkers for Marriage Equality,” n.d.]
• Green t-shirt [graphic, text: “2012 Dyke Picnic and Womyn’s Festival, Rochester, NY,” 2012]
• Tye-dyed t-shirt [text: “Would Jesus Discriminate?”, with Post-it note annotation from Tischer reading “Open Arms MCC, Pride Parade, and Marriage Campaign,” n.d.]
• White t-shirt [graphic, text: “Linked by Love,” with Post-it note annotation from Tischer reading “Linked by Love Walk in mall,” n.d.]
• Yellow t-shirt [text: “Marriage Equality New York,” n.d.]
• Orange t-shirt [text: “Marriage Equality New York,” n.d.]
• Red t-shirt [text: “Marriage Equality New York,” n.d.]
• Three (3) umbrellas, MENY [2 red, 1 yellow]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Box ME-2 – chronological files, 1984-2009 [and through 2013 for resources]

• Folder: Gay rights issues and resources, 1984-2013 [4″ expandable folder, contains news articles, publications, resource information, meeting minutes, annotations]; interior folders include:
  • Lesbian publications and resources, 1984-1993
  • GLBSA at SUNY Brockport, 1993-1994
  • Rainbow Seniors of Western New York, 2005-2009
  • ESPA information, 2006-2011
  • Fortunate Families, 2010-2011
  • News clippings on marriage equality, 2008-2011
  • PFLAG materials, 2009-2011
  • Materials used in Gay History Fair, Open Arms MCC, n.d.
  • Activism chants, n.d.
  • Miscellaneous gay pride-related resources and newsletters, 2002-2013
• Folder: Marriage equality and gay rights issues, 2004-2006 [3″ expandable folder, contains news clippings, correspondence, meeting agendas, flyers, and annotations; additional topics include: Anne and Bess wedding (Apr. 2004)]
• Folder: Marriage equality and gay rights issues, 2007 [3″ expandable folder, contains news clippings, correspondence, meeting agendas, flyers, and annotations; additional topics include: Equality Leadership Conference (Oct. 2007)]
• Folder: Marriage equality and gay rights issues, 2008 [3″ expandable folder, contains news clippings, correspondence, meeting agendas, flyers, and annotations; topics include: Pride at Work, Anyone and Everyone (Feb. 2008), Newly Wed in NY (4/26/2008), Prop 8 Rally (11/15/08)]
• Folder: Marriage equality and gay rights issues, 2009 [2.5″ expandable folder, contains news clippings, correspondence, meeting agendas, flyers, and annotations; topics include: Greece School District issue, Pride at Work, National Equality March (Oct. 10-22, 2009), Courage Campaign]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Box ME-3 – chronological files, 2010-2013

• Folder: Marriage equality and gay rights issues, 2010 [4″ expandable folder, contains meeting minutes, news clippings, flyers, press releases, correspondence and annotations; topics include information from MENY, One Nation (10/2/2010), Pride, union strike in Rochester]
• Folder: Marriage equality and gay rights issues, 2011 part I [3″ expandable folder, contains news clippings, correspondence, meeting agendas, flyers, and annotations; topics include: HRC Campaign for NY Marriage, labor and marriage, same-sex marriage equality legislation in New York]
  • HRC Campaign for NY Marriage folders include:
    • Planning materials for letter-writing/calls to politicians, 2011
    • Support from businesses (NY Business for Marriage), 2011
    • Letter signed by Senator Chuck Schumer, 2011
    • Sample letter templates from HRC, 2011
    • Copies of letters sent to Senator Joseph Robach, 2011
    • Copies of some letters sent to Senator James Alesi, 2011
    • Copies of letters to other NY district representatives (including Senator Michael Nozzolio and Senator George Maziarz), 2011
    • Letter templates, mailing information, and strategies, 2011
  • Folder: Marriage equality and gay rights issues, 2011 part II [5″ expandable folder, contains news clippings, correspondence, meeting agendas, flyers, and annotations; topics include: same-sex marriage equality legislation in New York, Gay Pride parade, same-sex marriage license information for Rochester, Occupy Wall Street]
  • Folder: Marriage equality and gay rights issues, 2012 [2″ expandable folder, contains EROC meeting agendas, news clippings, flyers, correspondence, and annotations; topics include: Equality Rochester, Dyke Picnic, Pride]
  • Folder: “Light the Way to Justice” and DOMA actions, 2013 [3″ expandable folder, contains EROC meeting agendas, news clippings, flyers, correspondence, and annotations; topics include: DOMA, marriage equality across America]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Box ME-4 – small signs and Pride at Work documents    

 

• Nine (9) hand-painted various-sized rectangular and heart-shaped signs, mounted with flat wooden handles:
  • “Equality = Rochester / Love Wins”
  • “Celebrate / Put a Ring on It”
  • “Married and Happy / My Family Matters”
  • “Repeal DOMA / Value All Families”
  • “DOMA Demeans / Value All Families”
  • “Celebrate / Now I Need a Honey”
  • “Celebrate / Lesbian, Married + Proud of NY!”
  • “Gay…Proud…Happy / Marry Me?”
  • “Celebrate / Going to the Chapel”
• Folder: Pride at Work: Rochester-Finger Lakes chapter annual reports, 2008-2012
• Folder: Pride at Work: Rochester-Finger Lakes chapter delegate reports, 2009-2013
• Folder: Pride at Work: handout folder to NEB, Detroit, MI, c. 2012
• Folder: Pride at Work: Rochester-Finger Lakes chapter history and development, n.d.
• Bound folder: Bess Watts’ compilation of CSEA and Pride at Work important documents and essays, 2004-2009
• Folder: Anne Tischer and Bess Watts’ presentations to legislators, 2006-2007
• Folder: Bess Watts’ correspondence re: domestic partnership and benefits in Monroe County, 2004-2012
• Folder: Gay Alliance leadership award acceptance speech, n.d.
• Folder: Text of Rochester Democrat & Chronicle articles featuring Bess Watts and Anne Tischer, 2002-2013
• Folder: Anne Tischer and Bess Watts’ Activism Calendar, 1993-2013
• Folder: Pride at Work: Rochester-Finger Lakes chapter minutes, 2007-2009
• Folder: Pride at Work: Rochester-Finger Lakes chapter minutes, 2010-2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Box ME-5 – Family Portrait Storytelling Project photos

• Folder: Family Portrait Storytelling Project information and photo release form, 2007
• Folder: “Equal Measure: Portraits of Love” photography show program, James Rajotte, April 7-May 2, 2007
• Fourteen (14) mounted 11.5″ x 17.5″ photos with ten (10) accompanying label sheets from “Equal Measure” photography show, reading:
  • “Jenny, Sue, Katie, & Elinor”
  • “Sandra Lowry & Rosemary Rivera”
  • “Sandra Lowry & Rosemary Rivera”
  • “Jamie & Sally Whitbeck”
  • “Ginny Tucker & Sara Berger”
  • “Greg Partridge & Doug Potter”
  • “Jeff, Jim, Alex, & Troy”
  • “Feng & Jim”
  • “Zoe & Rev. Dr. Sharon Jacobson”
  • “Reverends Kaaren Anderson & Scott Taylor”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional signs:

• Two (2) rainbow flag stake decorations, approx. 3′ high [one with two wedding rings and rainbow bow and heart; one with ring and rainbow streamers]
• One (1) 15″ x 11″ flyer for “Light the Way to Justice” DOMA actions event, March 25, 2013
• Two (2) 20″ x 16″ signs, “National Gay and Lesbian Task Force – Jobs – Justice – Education – One Nation Working Together” [with Post-it annotation]
• One (1) 12″ x 18″ sign, “Equality Across America – National Equality March” [with Post-it annotation]
• One (1) 16.5″ x 11″ sign, “We Are One” [with Post-it annotation]
• One (1) 12″ x 18″ sign, “Out of the Closet and Into the Streets! Feb. 20, 2010” [LGBT activist conference at RIT]
• Seven (7) 11″ x 17″ signs:
  • “Thank You Harry Bronson” (2)
  • “Thank You Cuomo/Duffy” (4)
  • “Assemblyman Joe Morelle” (1)
• Eight (8) 11″ x 17″ signs:
  • “Marriage Now!” / “Equality for all families” [ESPA] (4)
  • “Thank you Governor Cuomo” / “Promise Kept!” (2)
  • “Another Straight New Yorker for Marriage Equality” [ESPA] (2)
• Two (2) 16″ x 11″ signs, “Obama Pride – LGBT for Obama”
• Two (2) 11″ x 17″ signs, “‘I DO’ Support Marriage Equality” [MENY]
• Two (2) 11″ x 17″ signs, “GENDA Now!” [ESPA]
• Two (2) 11″ x 17″ signs, “Dignity for All Students Now! ” [ESPA]
• One (1) 11″ x 17″ sign, “Thank You Governor Spitzer” [ESPA]
• One (1) 11″ x 17″ flyer, “Pride Network 40th Anniversary Celebration, October 14-16 [year?]”
• One (1) 11″ x 17″ sign, “Rally for Love and Marriage – New Yorkers United for Marriage” [with Post-it annotation]
• One (1) 11″ x 17″ sign, “We Are One – Pride at Work”
• Two (2) “Pride @ Work – Union Yes!” signs [one (1) 11″ x 17″ ; one (1) 12″ x 18″]
• Three (3) 12″ x 15″ signs, In Memoriam
  • “Felix Cacco”
  • “Allison Dawe”
  • “We remember those who lost their lives to hate and intolerance”
• One (1) 21.5″ x 27″ sign, “Civil Marriage – Civil Rights!”
• One (1) 14.5″ x 24″ sign, “One Nation Working Together – NAACP” / “NAACP Says… Great Schools Now!” [with Post-it annotation]
• One (1) 25.5″ x 16″ sign, “End the Harm from Religion-Based Bigotry and Prejudice – National Equality March”
• Two (2) 22.5″ x 17″ signs:
  • “Joe – Hypocrisy will bite you”
  • “Ask Joe why he discriminates”
• Four (4) 24″ x 17.5″ signs:
  • “NYCLU Fighting for All New York Families” (1)
  • “Support Hotel Workers – Sleep with the Right People.org” (2)
  • “‘I DO’ Support Marriage Equality” [MENY] (1)
• Five (5) 27″ x 21.5″ signs:
  • “NY Senate Pass Equal Marriage” (1)
  • “Shame on Maine” (2)
  • “1138 Federal Marriage Benefits” (1)
  • “Congratulations on your marriage!” benefits for same-sex couples sign
• Thirty-one (31) 27″ x 21.5″ foam board signs [some with handles]:
  • “It’s About Love” [with Post-it annotation]
  • “I DO… Demand Equality!”
  • “I’ll Get You My Pretty… and Your Little Flag Too!”
  • “Domestic Partner Benefits Now”
  • “NY Senate Pass Equal Marriage”
  • “Rochester Celebrates Marriage Equality”
  • “18,000 Couples are in Limbo… End Prop 8”
  • “Supreme Court History is Watching”
  • “Love Honor Cherish Equality”
  • “Thank You Governor Cuomo” / “I Love NY!”
  • “Eat Drink Be Married” / “Thank You Alesi”
  • “Equality Means Marriage”
  • “Hate is NOT Entertainment”
  • “Married in Canada… ‘Single’ for NY Taxes?”
  • “Paladino Too Crude Rude and Lewd”
  • “Equal Taxes = Equal Rights”
  • “Senator Robach Hurt Gay Families”
  • “Pride at Work AFL-CIO”
  • “DADT DOMA ENDA”
  • “End DOMA Now”
  • “NYS AFL-CIO Supports GENDA”
  • “Trans Rights are Human Rights”
  • “Senator Robach Hurt Gay Families”
  • “Welcome Pride at Work True Colors! 2009 Award Dinner”
  • “Equal Taxes = Equal Rights”
  • “Full Marriage Equality Now!”
  • “Veterans for Marriage Equality”
  • “1138 Federal Rights Denied”
  • “It’s About Love”
  • “Mr. Paladino Stop Anti-Gay Slurs”
  • “Gay Rights are Civil Rights”
• One (1) 127″ x 34″ accordion-folded sign, “Live Loud, Feel Proud, Break the Silence, GAGV Youth DOS 2012”

 

 

Digital files from thumb drive – on Google Drive [physical thumb drive in Box ME-1]

• “Monroe County Legislature Speeches”
  • Thirty-two text documents on domestic partner benefits lobbying to the Monroe County council, 2006-2009
• “Pride at Work Agendas”
  • Five separate folders for each year, 2007-2008 through 2012, containing meeting agendas for Pride at Work AFL-CIO Rochester-Finger Lakes chapter meetings, 2007-2012
  • Eight unfoldered files for 2013 meeting agendas for Pride at Work AFL-CIO Rochester-Finger Lakes chapter meetings, 2013
• “Pride at Work Minutes”
  • Six separate folders for each year, 2007-2012, containing meeting minutes from Pride at Work AFL-CIO Rochester-Finger Lakes chapter meetings, 2007-2012
  • Five unfoldered files for 2013 meeting minutes from Pride at Work AFL-CIO Rochester-Finger Lakes chapter meetings, 2013
• “Rochester Labor Council & CSEA Reports”
  • Six separate folders for each year, 2008-2013, containing executive board and chapter reports to the Pride at Work AFL-CIO Rochester-Finger Lakes chapter, 2008-2013
  • “Annual Reports” folder, containing 2008-2012 Pride at Work AFL-CIO Rochester-Finger Lakes chapter annual reports, 2008-2012
  • “Marriage Equality” folder, containing letters to Senators to support marriage equality in NYS, 2011
• “Timeline photos”
  • folder contains 420 jpeg image files, with dates as file names, ranging from 2004-2013
• Nine separate, unfoldered files from main window of thumb drive:
  • RLC Resolution
  • PAW form letter to Senator
  • “Our Activist Timeline”
  • NEB Q&A
  • Monroe County Proclamation
  • MCC Marriage Flyer
  • Essay – Linda Donohue
  • Chapter & Caucus Organzing powerpoint
  • CBTU response

 

 

 

Completed 28 feb 2014 by Julia N. Rossi