by Evelyn Bailey
Imagine a fall October day. The sun is shining, the trees glisten with color. You are standing outside of Todd Union on the University of Rochester campus in the quadrangle. You are listening to Bob Osborne and Larry Fine, both students at the U of R, discuss the meeting to be held that night to hear the invited speakers from Ithaca and Buffalo. The conversation went something like this:
“Hopefully we will have a few people who will come to listen. I really don’t expect more that a dozen or so” said Bob.
“I know. I have invited everyone I know. But people are afraid to be open and associated with any public activity involving homosexuality. I just hope that we won’t be embarrassed by the poor turnout.” said Larry.
“We did pass out flyers to the bars and coffee houses in the city – maybe some people from the city will come” said Bob. “I hope so – I’ve got to get to class – see you tonight” said Larry.
That night, October 3, 1970, around 100 people came to Todd Union to hear the guest speakers from Cornell University, Gay Liberation Front and the Buffalo Mattachine Society. The majority of those attending were not from the U of R campus. There was excitement in the air. None of the organizers, namely Bob and Larry, had expected so many people from the city to turn out.
There was also a sense of fear in the room. The question was asked if there were any press people in the room out of concern that names would become public. There were none. Homosexuality was considered a crime against nature and identified as a mental disorder. Those in attendance were keenly aware of these facts.
Not in their wildest dreams did Bob and Larry expect this talk on October 3, 1970 to give birth to the Rochester Gay Liberation Front (GLF) which would then become the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley (GAGV) in July, 1973.
You could say that Bob Osborne and Larry Fine were the first students on the U of R Campus to come out. Attendees at these first and subsequent meetings of the GLF were taking their first steps in the coming out process. It is a process, and is as much a process for organizations as it is for individuals.
The late 60’s early 70’s were dangerous, oppressive times to be gay. The bars were the focal point of the gay community’s social life. They were often raided for the most minor violations, and gays were arrested in bars, on the streets, and in parks for demonstrations of affection and dancing with the same sex. Harassment of gays by the police was commonplace. Identifying oneself as gay was seen as radical and close to committing societal and legal suicide. The “Closet” was home to many.
Not all the members of the Rochester Gay Liberation Front were radical. They did agree however to seek certain demands which were the basis of the liberation movement. These were:
• End all forms of social control of homosexuals
• Pass civil rights legislation to prevent housing and job discrimination
• Repeal of the sodomy laws
• Accept lesbian and gay relationships
• Accurately portray homosexuals in the mass media
The students at the U of R were the catalyst for a new social awareness of homosexuality. However, the large, closeted community of gays and lesbians in the city of Rochester supplied the majority of the membership as well as the financial and human resources to support the rapid growth of the gay rights movement and the organizational structure associated with it.
In July, 1973 this incubation process culminated in the public and legal incorporation of the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley. The purpose for which it came into existence and became incorporated is the same today as it was then – to eradicate homophobia, to secure and maintain for all persons of homosexual orientation, the same rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence and guaranteed by the Constitution, and to secure any and all rights and services due and owing to persons of homosexual orientation.
Whitey LeBlanc signed the incorporation papers, and became the first openly gay president of the GAGV. Today, the mission of the GAGV to cultivate a healthy inclusive environment where individuals of all sexual orientations and gender expressions are safe, thriving, and enjoy full civil rights, reflects the continuing struggle the community and its members have to be out and equal.
Many of the internal impediments to coming out have been challenged and overcome because the external chains have been broken. In 1973, the identification of homosexuality as a mental illness was formally removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. It is an ongoing process, even in the year 2008 to change the attitude and stigma attached to being a homosexual. Today, more than ever before in our history, we are confronted with religious organizations, and others who believe we can change who we are. Our sexual orientation has never been a choice. We are gay men and women who have the right to be out and equal.
Coming out became less frightening when the sodomy laws in New York were invalidated by the courts in 1980, and finally repealed in 2000. The GAGV took the community through another coming out process when the organization moved from the Genesee Coop where for many years entrance to the Alliance was gained through the back alley, to the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Elton Street. The GAGV was now “out” and clearly identified with the name “Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley” in large lavender print on the door.
For the GAGV and for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community of New York, including Rochester, the passage of SONDA (Sexual Orientation Non – Discrimination Act) in February, 2002, of ENDA (Employment Non-Discrimination Act) in 2007, and of GENDA (Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act ) in June, 2008 provides an umbrella of anti-discrimination protection that are steps in eliminating the fear felt 34 years ago at Todd Union, the fear to be who we are, to “come out” as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender men and women with full civil rights.
The GAGV has always been protective of volunteers and members anonymity. As you read the early minutes and records of the GAGV, you find first names used almost exclusively for Board members, committee chairs, and other volunteers. Very few men and women used their full names. Some used aliases to maintain their anonymity.
The first editor of the Empty closet, Jay Baker, and other staff members remained anonymous. In the early days, the President of the Board had to be willing to out as the official representative of the organization. Today, the members of the Board are listed with bios and pictures on our website. The editor and staff of the Empty closet have their names in ink with corresponding titles. The GAGV “closet” is not as full as it once was.
However, even with all of these protections and changes in attitude to a more accepting tolerant community, brothers and sisters continue to carry this burden of fear. They are afraid to “come out” because of physical, verbal and emotional retaliations, and for fear of losing their job, friends, and families. For many the risk and fear are too great even today in 2008.
The GAGV and its volunteers have taken many risks as a group and individually to provide the Rochester community with a healthy, inclusive environment where individuals of all sexual orientations and gender expressions are safe, thriving, and enjoy full civil rights. As a community we can not be free until all are free. The GAGV’s coming out journey will not end until the organization is no longer needed. Until then, The GAGV will continue to risk, continue to challenge, continue to advocate, continue to celebrate and continue to be OUT and VISIBLE until we can all stand together and proclaim, “ I am proud to be who I am – gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender!!”
John F. Kennedy once said: There are risks and cost to action. But they are far less than the long range risks of comfortable inaction.
As we continue the journey, may we all be willing to support and challenge each other to risk, to come out, to be who we are, to go for the gold!