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40 years of The Empty Closet are digitized and searchable on-line

Begining, Tuesday, Nov. 15 2011 – University of Rochester has uploaded, indexed and completed the necessary links to bring the entire collection of Empty Closet newspapers from January, 1971 through April, 2010 on-line. Forty years of LGBT history will be accessible through a University of Rochester server for online search engines to access!

In April, 2010 the Gay Alliance, in partnership with the University of Rochester’s Rare Books and Manuscript department, moved forward on digitizing The Empty Closet for research purposes and to preserve this primary source for Rochester LGBT history. Richard Peek, Director of the Rare Books and Manuscript Department offered to have the University pay for the microfilming. Shoulders To Stand On raised the remainder of the funds for digitization.

This project began in 2007 with Michael Robertson writing a grant for the microfilming and digitization of The Empty Closet. The grant was submitted to the Rochester Area Community Foundation, but was not approved. For the next four years many more grants were written to no avail.

Finally in February of 2010, Richard Peek, Director of the Rare Books and Manuscript Department at the University of Rochester offered to have the University fund the microfilming. Shoulders To Stand On raised the funds to digitize. The goal of making The Empty Closet past issues available for research and reading by the people all over the world which began four years ago is now a reality.

A very special thanks goes to Melissa Mead, Director, Digital Projects Research Center at University of Rochester for her persistent steady progress in making this happen. Special thanks also to Richard Peek and those who contributed financially to the digitization of the EC: John Dash, Michael Robertson, Jay Baker, Tim Mains, Toni Mascioli, Ron Pawalczak, Bill Kelly/Rick Easterly, Jeff Markarian, Mary McCrank and Mark Siwiec.

This is an accomplishment which gives the Rochester lgbt community a reason to be PROUD. The Empty Closet is primary source material for the history of our community. The Empty Closet provides the most complete and thorough record of the gay liberation movement in Rochester, NY. Placing the past 40 years of Empty Closet issues on-line is a major step in securing our place in the history of Rochester, Upstate New York, the State of New York and the Nation. Enjoy reading and researching YOUR history.

Gay Alliance in the Media

The Gay Alliance has long provided an LGBT voice in the local media on the issues of the day. Below are links to examples of when the Gay Alliance has commented on important events. The support of community members makes it possible for the Gay Alliance to be there to help the media provide accurate information about our commuiites.

-- The Gay Alliance partnered with the Wegman's School of Pharmacy to write paper on "The Need for Transgender Health Content in the Pharmacy Cirriculumn." Read the paper on the Innovations in Pharmacy website:

http://www.pharmacy.umn.edu/innovations/vol2no4/home.htmle. (1-2-12)

-- Coverage of Empty Closet History goes on-line. (11-28-11)

YNN: " 'The Empty Closet' Archives Available Online"

-- Coverage of Community Forum on Suicide Prevention. (09-28-11)

YNN Covers our Community Forum on Bulling.

WHEC Covers out Community Forum on Bullying.

-- Youth Program Director Jess Cohen addresses bullying and upcoming community forum on Suicide Prevention with the Democrat and Chronical. (09-28-11)

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20110928/NEWS01/109280324/Local-group-emphasizes-prevention-wake-Buffalo-teen-s-deathAIDS

SpeakOUT: Successful LGBT Education

SpeakOUT logo

During the past decade, over 1200 people in seven states have attended the SpeakOUT Training, and here it is your chance!

SpeakOUT training participants become more confident and articulate while talking with others about LGBT issues. A great experience for someone new to LGBT issues, or someone who has lived or worked with the issues for years. Think of it as professional development for your life, a training-of-trainers that is open to anyone, since there are a lot of questions that need to be answered. Please know that the SpeakOUT training can be customized and brought to your workplace or campus! Give us a call and ask about providing a "SpeakOUT In-House."

The class is open and appropriate for everyone; all ages, all identities, all experience and will prepare participants to successfully advocate for and address challenges to full LGBT inclusion.

More information including class agenda...

Click here to register for the March 2012 class!

Friday, March 2, 6 to 9pm &
Saturday, March 3, 8:30am to 5:00pm

Classes held in the Gay Alliance Youth Center. 875 E Main Street 14605

Participants in SpeakOUT classes will have the option of completing a small amount of additional training to become a volunteer with the Gay Alliance Speakers Bureau.

FACILITATORS: Jeanne Gainsburg, Gay Alliance OutReach Coordinator and Scott Fearing, Gay Alliance Program Director, draw upon their 25+ years of LGBT training and education experience to facilitate the class. A dynamic mix of interactive exercises and lecture make for a fast paced, intense and valuable learning experience.

Past participants have had this to say:

“Enlightening. This will make the LGBT trainings I offer at work much better.”

“This was a fabulous experience it was powerful, engaging, and motivating.”“I learned more about myself in these two sessions than in 50 years of living.”

“A great value! Money well spent!”

“I learned a lot that I can take back to the GSA in my school.”

Registration Information

Fee: $35
Lunch included on Saturday.
Scholarships available. (please call or email to request)
Space is limited to 30 participants.
For questions, please contact: 585-244-8640 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.