by Evelyn Bailey
For these two months, Shoulders To stand On honors 10 2012 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,
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 ImageOut
ImageOut is Upstate New York’s longest running lesbian and gay film
and video festival. 2012 marked the 20th Anniversary of ImageOut.
ImageOut informs, entertains, educates, and enriches filmgoers through
the exhibition of film and videos by and about lesbian, gay, bisexual,
and transgender people.
ImageOut encourages lesbian and gay filmmakers,
who, as a group, are rarely seen in mainstream media. It is an
opportunity to record and preserve the stories and histories of LGBT
lives and to foster collaborations and conversations to break down
social and cultural barriers concerning lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgender people.
Shoulders honors the NY Finger Lakes Out & Equal Regional Affiliate
In October, 2012 the Regional affiliate of the Year Award (called the “Outie”) was given to the NY Finger Lakes Regional Affiliate for
its commitment to the Out & Equal mission through exceptional
programming and sound organizational practices. The coalitions and
partnerships built by the NY Fingerlakes Regional Affiliate developed
the first Out & Equal Regional Summit in 2011 here in Rochester. The
Affiliate developed a series of “Work It Out” events to prepare college
students for job interviews at the same time showcasing local
businesses that are welcoming and confirming. The Affiliate is a true
leader in the local mission of Out & Equal in the NY Fingerlakes
region.
Shoulders honors Bess Watts and Anne Tischer.
Jim Bertolone of the Rochester Labor Council presented Bess Watts and
Anne Tischer of MENY-Rochester and Pride at Work AFL-CIO with the
“Mother Jones Award for Sacrifice Above and Beyond,” for their work on
marriage equality on December 8, 2011 On March 15, 2012 Bess received
the Pride At Work True Colors Recognition Award. Bess and Anne continue
to work for equality and justice in the workplace and for the Greater
Rochester community.
Shoulders honors Denise Finnerty and Courtney Mischie
On February 16, 2012, two of Rochester’s most energetic and tireless
activists, Denise Finnerty and CourtneyMichie, were presented with a
Certificate of Appreciation by the Rochester Marriage Coalition. Helping
virtually every LGBT rights organization that has operated in the
Rochester region, they were also the presented with a handmade “Pride”
afghan by Equality Rochester’s Anne Tischer, reflecting the warmth that
Denise and Courtney have generated in changing so many people’s hearts
and minds.
Shoulders honors Ove Overmeyer
On March 15, the Rochester & Finger Lakes Chapter of Pride At
Work, AFL-CIO hosted their second True Colors Recognition Award Dinner.
Ove Overmyer, Pride At Work member and staff reporter for The Empty Closet,
received the 2012 True Colors Award for his outstanding commitment to
the advancement of workplace democracy. Ove is also President, CSEA City
of Rochester Library Workers Local 828 Unit 7420and is VP, CSEA Monroe
County Local 828.
Shoulders honors Reverend Jim Mulcahy
After nine years as Senior Pastor at Open Arms Metropolitan Community
Church, Rev. Jim is retiring with a new job. He is the church
development specialist in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe for MCC. He
will live in Kiev, Ukraine, dedicating himself to helping LGBT people in
a country where attending a Pride Parade can result in physical
violence, with ultra-religious people and neo-Nazi skinheads trying to
beat them with crosses, with police standing aside and saying they can’t
offer protection. A courageous step for courageous Shoulders!
Shoulders honors Tom Privitere
Tom was given the Bill Lucy Award at the 12th Annual Coalition of
Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) at Rick’s Prime Rib House on April 20,
2012. Bill Lucy was a civil rights and labor union icon. Tom, NYS Public
Employees Federation Director of Field Services for WNY and Vice
President of the Rochester Finger Lakes Chapter of Pride at Work,
AFL-CIO, was acknowledged for his lifetime commitment to working people.
Shoulders honors Bishop Prince G. Singh, Episcopal Bishop of Rochester
On May 19, 2012, at the 20th ESPA Spring Dinner, Bishop Singh
received the 2012 Community Service Award for his outstanding
contributions to equality. He became a vocal spokesperson
with the Uniting Families Act and actively took on a leadership role
in the marriage equality campaign. Bishop Singh has also been a strong
voice for inclusion in his own church, supporting the affirmation and
the important contributions of gay and lesbian leaders in the faith
movement.
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 doors of our Closets!
Shoulders to Stand On congratulates its 2012 Shoulders!