Gay alliance rochester ny

In Out Alliance’s absence, Rochester's Black and brown LGBTQ organizations expand reach

The words “safe zone” still frame the windows of the empty Out Alliance building on College Avenue, but Bianca Castro wouldn’t describe her experience there as safe.

“We went to one of the trans groups and it literally was divided," Castro said. "There were white folks on one side and brown folks on the other, and it didn’t verb safe.”

Castro briefly attended programs at the organization, which was then called the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley, but she said she never found a community there.

The abrupt closing of the Out Alliance last year has been received differently by a divided LGBTQ community. For years, the organization was criticized for centering its mission around white gay men. Its absence has allowed smaller organizations to step in and fill the needs of the Black and brown LGBTQ community who utter they never felt included by the organization.

Rochester Black Pride may be best known for organizing the annual Black Pride weekend, but its reach goes far beyond that.&nbs

Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley ephemera collection

Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley

The Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley began in , on the campus of the University of Rochester as the Rochester chapter of the Gay Liberation Front. The Rochester Gay Liberation Front was started by Bob Osborn and Larry Fine. The Gay Liberation Front was started in New York City after the Stonewall Riots of

By , the Rochester Gay Liberation Front had left the University of Rochester because most of the members were non-students and formed the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley. The GAGV met in the Bull’s Head Plaza. They then moved to a space in the Genesee Co-Op building, where they stayed until In , the GAGV purchased a building at Atlantic Avenue and served as the first community center owned by the Gay Alliance. The Gay Alliance was incorporated in , with the idea that the Alliance would serve as an umbrella organization for gay groups.

In the early years, the Gay Alliance published the newsletter The Devoid Closet, improved relationships with the police department, held rallies and

The Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley

Location
College Ave, Rochester NY,
Phone
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Email
Website
Facebook

The Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley is the primary advocate for the local LGBTQ Communities. In December of the organization that was founded in moved to a new location on College Ave and opened the Rochester LGBTQ Resource Center. In addition to staff offices the Resource Center includes a Cyber Center, Education Center, Conference meeting room and an Art Gallery.

Their newspaper is the The Vacant Closet.

Throughout the year they sponsor a variety of programs and events, including:

  • Pride Parade

  • Red Ball

  • Ride for Pride

Awards

  • Voted "Best Local Activist Group" in City Newspaper's 'Best of Rochester' Awards in 1

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  As of April , the Board has announced that they are closing the Resource Center, the Empty Closet has ceased to exist. As small space still exists pn College Ave, but, it seems that

OUT ALLIANCE aka GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY INC

Results: Since we have been working to make Rochester a better noun for everyone. Our success on improving the lives of LGBTQ people is nearly immeasurable. From helping City, business and civic leaders to be inclusive, to working in schools and on campuses around the country to be "safe places" for students. Our Library is the largest LGBTQ specific library on the East Coast with nearly 25, items. Our publication, The Void Closet (aka: The EC) is the longest continually published LGBTQ community paper in the State- The Smithsonian Institute recently requested a complete collection for their archive.

Direct beneficiaries per year: over people a month call on the Rochester LGBTQ Resource Center

Geographic areas served: &#;Western NY&#;

Programs: Youth services - objective: provides lgbtq youth with crisis intervention, social activities and leadership development. The program provides consultation, intervention and education to youth serving providers to ensure lgbtq inclusion. The program provides a safe place for