Shoulders to Stand On

Key Dates in Shoulders To Stand On History

by Evelyn Bailey

• November 2002:  Initial meeting to produce a promotional video for the GAGV
• January - December 2003: Promotional video taped and script written
• March 2004:  Final draft of promo completed
• April 2007:  Shoulders to Stand On Committee formed
• September 2010:  40 years of Empty Closet microfilmed and digitized
• 2009 - 2010:  With a NYS Documentary Heritage Program Archives Grant the LGBT records of 260+ organizations, agencies, groups and individuals were identified
• 2010 - 2011:  With a NYS Documentary Heritage Program Archives Grant, a minimum of five record collections were surveyed
• January 2011:  A chronology of 40 years of Empty Closet articles was completed
• October 2011:  Started fundraising for a 90 minute documentary 
• December 2011:  A NYS Documentary Heritage Program Archives Grant was awarded to place a minimum of three record collections in permanent repositories
• January 15, 2012:  A fundraising goal of $10,000 was matched by Tony Mascioli for a total of $20,000

The GAGV Succeeds Again: NYS DHP Archives Phase II Grant 2010 - 2011 Awardd

By Evelyn Bailey

In late September 2010, the Gay Alliance was notified that the New York State State Education Department (SED), had tentatively awarded the GAGV a NYS DHP Phase II Archives Grant for 2010 – 2011 in the amount of $9,885.

In October, we received word from Pamela Cooley, DHP Grants Officer, NYS Archives that all the required paperwork had been submitted to the proper agencies, but that we needed to have final approval from State Ed. Dept., Depapartment of Budget, the Office of State Comptroller, and the Governor’s office. On Nov. 15, all approvals had been given, and 50 percent of the grant award was released. Finally we could officially begin work on the Project.

Help Preserve Rochester LGBT History

The Gay Alliance of Genesee Valley, through a grant from the NYS Documentary Heritage Program (DHP), is seeking records from organizations and individuals that will help to preserve the history of the LGBT community in the Rochester, NY area. The DHP is a statewide program established by law to provide financial support and guidance to not-for-profit organizations.

DHP Grants are designed to encourage more comprehensive documentation of New York State’s history and culture by supporting projects that identify, survey, collect, and make available important records relating to groups and topics traditionally under-represented in the historical record. DHP is administered by the New York State Archives, a unit of the New York State Education Department.

Read the brochure to find out more about the project and how you can help.

LGBT Records Are Disappearing

Records are no longer accessible or avaialble due to individuals dying; organizations, agencies and groups relocating; and not having a repository to preserve records. The Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley in conjunction with the Documetary Heritage Programs wants to be sure that LGBT records survives as part of New York State's rich cultural, political, social and economic history. Individuals and organizations are invited to contact us. Download dhp_flier.pdf (139.8K)