Women Play a Critical Role in Rochester's Gay History, 1971 - 1972

by Evelyn Bailey

During 1971 – 1972 there were several Rochester women who made history by speaking openly about their sexual orientation. This was during a time when the American Psychiatric Association identified homosexuality as a diagnosable mental disorder in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-II). 

In order to understand the extraordinary actions that Patti Evans, Karen Hagberg, “Mike”, and Rosanne took, you need to understand the times in which these women lived.   The mere fact that of these four women only two used both there real first and last names is an indication of the fear of reprisal that existed within the community.  This was true for men as well.