Shoulders to Stand On

The Beginning of the Gay Alliance

The Gay Liberation Front

Interviewed: Patti Evans and Whitey LeBlanc

The Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley's Coming Out Journey

by Evelyn Bailey

Imagine a fall October day.  The sun is shining, the trees glisten with color.  You are standing outside of Todd Union on the University of Rochester campus in the quadrangle.  You are listening to Bob Osborne and Larry Fine, both students at the U of R, discuss the meeting to be held that night to hear the invited speakers from Ithaca and Buffalo.   The conversation went something like this:

“Hopefully we will have a few people who will come to listen.  I really don’t expect more that a dozen or so” said Bob. 

“I know.  I have invited everyone I know. But people are afraid to be open and associated with any public activity involving homosexuality.  I just hope that we won’t be embarrassed by the poor turnout.” said Larry. 

“We did pass out flyers to the bars and coffee houses in the city – maybe some people from the city will come”  said Bob.  “I hope so – I’ve got to get to class – see you tonight” said Larry.