by Evelyn Bailey
Partially reprinted from The Empty Closet, September 1973
THE PAST. The gay liberation movement began in New York
City in 1969 when gays finally became outraged enough at the regular
police harassment that they fought back. The Stonewall Bar on
Christopher Street in Greenwich Village was the scene of the first gay
peoples’ rebellion. It was nurtured by that spirit in the late ‘60s
which seemed to beckon oppressed peoples to stand tall.
The movement came to the Rochester area in October of 1970 when a
student group was formed by Bob Osborne, RJ Alcala and others and funded
at the University of Rochester. The University of Rochester Gay
Liberation Front attracted students and non-students from a wide
surrounding area, and for several years, served as a focal point for gay
rights activities in the region. Early in 1973, it became evident that
a city-based organization was needed.
NOW. The Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley was organized in
July of 1973, and located in the Bull’s Head area of West Main St. Its
membership represents a wide variety of ages and lifestyles, but there
is a common imperative among them to bring about a change in those
attitudes which have led to the severe oppression of homosexuals in this
society.
It tries, therefore, to be both an activist and a service
organization. Activist because the legal and political basis for our
oppression must be attacked, and service because we want to nurture a
new social environment which will foster a more positive self-image for
gays, “Gay Pride”.
The organization bespeaks its name. A cooperative alliance of many
interest groups; political, legal, educational, and.social. The new
center provides a home base for these interests.
FEBRUARY, 2013: We know the results of our political activism.
We have the state passage of SONDA (Sexual Orientation
Non-Discrimination Act) and most recently the passage of Marriage
Equality in 2011. Political successes do not happen in a vacuum. It is
because the Gay Alliance has remained true to its founders’ vision of
“a cooperative alliance of many interest groups: political, legal,
educational and social” and I would add one more – religious, that we
have been so successful in creating a welcoming, supportive and healthy
environment for all members of our community.
Over the past 40 years, ordinary men and women have been leaders in
gay community using their energy, time and talent to begin, incubate and
give birth to over 260 LGBT organizations, agencies, and groups in
Rochester, all a part of the Gay Alliance. In every part of the greater
Rochester community, you will find gay men and women in leadership
roles moving the community forward.
Here is a partial list of these “interest groups” that have
strengthened the community and have helped to make Rochester the third
most welcoming gay city in the country. The leaders in each were also
leaders in the Gay Alliance.
Rochester Transgender Group, Atlantic Five O, Empire Bears, Lilac
Rainbow Alliance for the Deaf, Just Us Guys, Rainbow Sage, Rochester
Butch/Femme Connection, Lesbian Resource Center,
Frontrunners/Frontwalkers, Gay Father’s Group, Rochester CD Network
(Cross Dressers), RGMC (Gay Men’s Chorus), RWC (Rochester Women’s
Chorus), Greater Rochester Gay and Lesbian Business Forum (GRGLBF), Out
& Equal, Gay Picnic, Gay Pride Parade, Come Out & Play, Triangle
Talks, GAGV Youth Group, MOCHA, Team Rochester (Gay Olympics), Image
Out Film Festival, Open Arms MCC, Dignity-Integrity, RSCD Task Force on
GLBT Issues for Students & Faculty, RATFA (Rochester area Task
Force on AIDS), ACT Up, Gay Political Caucus, Log Cabin Republicans,
Women’s Peace Encampment, ESPA, NOW, Women Against Violence Against
Women, Take Back the Night Marches, AIDS Rochester, Rape Crisis Center,
GLSEN, PFLAG, Lambda Kodak, GLOBAL (B & L), Galaxy (Xerox), GSAs
(Gay Straight Alliances in area schools); campaign managers for men and
women running for political office: Tim Mains, Susan John, Bill
Pritchard, Matt Haag.
Shoulders to Stand On is proud of the Gay Alliance and its continuing
vision of a cooperative alliance of many interest groups: political,
legal, educational, social, and religious. Shoulders To Stand On is
proud of all of the women and men who have made this happen.
Congratulations to YOU!
yn Bailey
(Partially reprinted from The Empty Closet, September 1973)