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

Tony Mascioi - Thank You for Your Shoulders! We Met Your $10,000 Challenge!

by Evelyn Bailey

In October, 2011 I asked Anthony Mascioli, a friend, native Rochestarian, and gay business man, for a rather large donation to the Shoulders To Stand On 90 minute Documentary on the LGBT History of Rochester. 

I explained that the documentary has been in the making for over 40 years, and that our history needed to be documented and preserved.  He responded by saying he is much more comfortable Matching Donations than just giving a donation outright.  Thus began the planning for raising $10,000 between December 2, 2011 and January 15, 2012.