by Evelyn Bailey
Shoulders To stand On honors 10 2013 Rochester Shoulders for their contributions to our struggle for equality and justice for the Greater Rochester community inclusive of our LGBT brothers and sisters and our allies.
First Shoulders To Stand On recognizes and honors – YOU! Your Shoulders carry the Rochester community to greater awareness, integrity, visibility and pride! Because of YOU, our LGBT brothers, sisters, and allies, the Closet is not as full! So take a moment to look at yourself and be PROUD!
Shoulders honors the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley.
Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Gay Alliance has stood as a beacon of light for those who still feel the oppression of being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex in Rochester, NY. In the hope that equality and justice will be the standard for all, the Gay Alliance responds to the variety of needs of the Rochester LGBT community from our very youngest to our very oldest, from our single men and women to our married couples. The Gay Alliance has never lost sight of its mission: to cultivate a healthy inclusive environment where individuals of all sexual orientations and gender expressions are safe, thriving, and enjoy full civil rights.
Shoulders honors Louise Slaughter and Ove Overmeyer.
On Dec. 13, 2012 Congresswoman Louise slaughter (NY-25, Rochester), was honored with the Life-time Achievement Award given to a local individual in recognition of a lifetime of service and a dedication to the American labor Movement.
Ove Overmeyer, President of the city of Rochester Library workers Unit 7420 and Local 828 Vice president, was honored with the 2012 Working families Advocate of the Year Award given to an individual who has exceeded expectations publicly advocating for the needs of working men and women during the past year. Rochester labor plays a critical role in the economic success of the Rochester community.
Shoulders honors Pam Barres and Ally Howell
Activist Pamela Barres has been fighting for passage of the New York State transgender civil rights bill for many years. Pam continues the daunting task of bringing awareness to the issue through discussions on translife and the need for basic civil rights protection for trans new Yorkers.
In 2013, Ally Howell, a transgender attorney formerly from Rochester, finished writing “Transgender Persons and the Law”. “In effect, gender is a language,” writes Ally. In her interview with Susan Jordan in the Fall, 2013, Ally stated “Gender variance is not new.” She also believes the education is the only way to change society’s outdated views. The book is available at the Gay Alliance Library and will update yearly.
Shoulders honors McQuaid Junior and Sophomore Attending Prom
Two McQuaid students asked their school counselor if it would be OK for them to attend the Junior Prom as a couple. The counselor referred the question to administration. The decision was no. One of the boys in the couple called The Brew (Wease) to express his disappointment. Support for the boys to attend the prom appeared in social media, a chnge.org petition signed by 828, and McQuaid alumni and parents expressed displeasure at the refusal. On March 27, 2013, Fr. Edward Salmon, school president, sent a letter to parents stating, “If our two brothers who have asked to attend the Junior Ball wish to do so, they will be welcomed.”
Shoulders honors Ralph Carter
The Empire State Pride Agenda, on May 18, 2013, honored Ralph Carter with the ESPA Community Service Award. A Xerox employee, Ralph has been a tireless advocate for civil rights and equality in the Rochester community. He has successfully integrated his spiritual life as a gay man with fully being himself at work. Ralph is the founding member of CREATE, the first ecumenical gay civil rights advocacy network in Upstate New York, the co-founder of Out & Equal NY Finger Lakes (OENYFL) and co-founder of the national LGBT Self-ID Community Practice. Ralph is a member of Third Presbyterian Church and organized ESPA “Pride in the Pulpit” events Colgate Rochester Divinity School.
Shoulders honors Justice Anthony Kennedy
On June 26, 2013 a rare moment occurred. The Supreme Court wrote a stream of words and made the lives of many thousands of people instantly better. Five Supreme Court justices did that by striking down the Defense of Marriage Act. Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote the majority opinion in this 5–4 case, joined by Breyer, Ginsburg, Kagan, and Sotomayor. You could say that he had been writing his way to this day since 1996, when he ruled against a Colorado law that took away rights for gay people granted by a local ordinance. Kennedy established a principle then that was key to his ruling on that Wednesday: The government may not single out a group it disapproves of for injurious treatment. Thank you!
Shoulders honors Staff Sgt. Darren Manzella Lapeira (Died August 29, 2013)
Darren was a brave, powerful and important voice in the battle to repeal “Don’t ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Darren was the first openly gay active duty service member to speak with the media while serving inside a war zone. He spoke out about his sexuality in an interview with Leslie Stahl on “60 Minutes.” This led to his dishonorable discharge. He was twice deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi freedom. While under fire on the streets of Baghdad, he provided medical care to his fellow soldiers, Iraqi National Guardsmen and civilians. He was awarded the Combat Medical Badge in recognition of his courage and service.
These Shoulders have given the LGBT community and the Greater Rochester community a reason to be OUT and PROUD! Their activism and lives bear witness to the ever-opening door of our Closets! Shoulders to Stand On congratulates with gratitude its 10 2013 Shoulders!