Community Partners

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Community Partners

ACTION FOR A BETTER COMMUNITY INC. (ABC) is a community action agency established in 1965 to help low income individuals achieve self-sufficiency. Action Front Center (AFC) is a program of ABC that provides individual counseling, support groups, advocacy and peer training to individuals living with HIV/AIDS or who are at high risk. AFC offers supports groups for HIV positive men of color who have sex with men (MSM) called United Colors and has an AIDS leadership coalition group called Heart 2 Heart which conducts advocacy, outreach and community conversations on issues impacting the LGBTQ+ population especially LGBTQ+ of color.

CITY NEWSPAPER is Rochester’s award-winning alternative newsweekly. For more than 40 years the paper has provided the Greater Rochester area with intelligent analysis of local, national, and international issues, as well as thoughtful and provocative coverage of local music, dance, art, film, theater, and food. City is free at more than 700 locations every Wednesday, with new content daily at rochestercitynewspaper.com. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@roccitynews) or Facebook (facebook.com/CityNewspaper).

COME OUT AND PLAY is a social group formed in 1992 under GAGV for LGBT people and allies. We have several social events such as dinner nights, bike hikes, camping trips, and wine tours throughout the year. We sponsor volleyball every Tuesday night throughout the summer months, and meet for board and card games at Equal Grounds coffee shop Wednesday nights year round.
Find out more by checking out our page on FaceBook (www.facebook.com/COAPNY ) or by stopping in for one of our regular events!

Downtown United Presbyterian Church celebrates the beautiful diversity of gender and sexual orientation. The congregation thrives on spiritual diversity as well, listening to and learning from each other in an open-ended, exploratory conversation that delights us and sustains our work toward peace and justice for all. We invite you to visit us at www.downtownpresbyterian.org or call our pastor,
Rev. Dr. Pat Youngdahl, at 325-4000, ext. 22.

EMPIRE BEARS is a Rochester area club for hirsute gay men and their admirers. Founded in 1985, it has given members and friends opportunities to attend sports, theater, movies, concerts, bowl, camp, golf, cook, eat, play cards and games, come out of the closet, get comfortable with their own size and shape, and meet like minded men nationwide through club activities. We hold a potluck at the GAGV Community Center on 2nd Saturdays. We meet for supper on Wednesdays at 6:00: 3rd Wed at Carrabba’s, 4th Wed at The Winfield Grill. Other weeks as chosen. www.empirebears.com.

Flower City Pride Band has been performing in Rochester, NY since 1993. We are an all-volunteer community band open to adult LGBT musicians and allies playing woodwind, brass or percussion instruments. Flower City Pride performs throughout the year at community events in western New York, including the Breast Cancer Walk, the Rochester Pride Parade, and the Park Avenue Winter Open House. The Flower City Pride Band is a proud member of the Lesbian and Gay Band Association (LGBA). Visit our website at www.flowercitypride.com.

THE GAY ALLIANCE has been a champion for Western New York’s LGBTQ communities for over forty years, providing  advocacy, education and community-enriching programs that span the ages and interests of our vibrant communities. In December of 2015 the Alliance opened the Rochester LGBTQ Resource Center, which includes a lending library (which includes DVDs), and Gallery Q. The Alliance may be best known for producing the annual Rochester PrideFest celebration and the Empty Closet newspaper. Please visit gayalliance.org to learn more about our work and activities.

THE GAGV LIBRARY & ARCHIVES holds a very large collection of LGBT-related novels, plays, poetry, non-fiction books, magazines, and movies. It is also home to an archival collection of The Empty Closet, which has been published continuously since 1973, making it the longest continuously produced LGBT publication in the US. Most items can be borrowed. For more information visit www.gayalliance.org – click on “Programs” in the menu bar and choose “Library & Archives”.

GEVA THEATRE CENTER Founded in 1972, Geva Theatre Center is a not-for-profit, professional theatre company dedicated to creating and producing professional theatre productions, programs and services of a national standard. As Rochester’s leading professional theatre, Geva is the most attended regional theatre in the Northeast US, and one of the 25 most subscribed in the country, serving up to 160,000 patrons annually, including more than 16,000 students. The 526-seat Wilson Stage is home to a wide variety of performances, from musicals to American and world classics. The 180-seat Fielding Stage is home to Geva’s own series of contemporary drama, comedy and musical theatre; Geva Comedy Improv; Geva’s New Play Reading Series and the Hornets’ Nest – an innovative play-reading series facilitating community- wide discussion on controversial topics. In addition, the Fielding Stage hosts visiting companies of both local and international renown. Geva offers a wide variety of educational, outreach and literary programs, nurturing audiences and artists alike. Since 1995, the organization has been under the artistic direction of Mark Cuddy.

GIRL DEVELOP IT is a nonprofit organization that provides affordable programs for adult women (and men!) interested in learning web and software development in a judgment-free environment. Local companies host us as we conduct 2 to 8-hour classes on a range of coding languages including technical workshops. We also host networking events each month to inspire new ideas, interests, and friendships. Want to learn more? Join us on Meetup! http://www.meetup.com/Girl-Develop-It-Rochester/

THE HIGH FALLS FILM FESTIVAL (November 10-14 2016) celebrates the artistry and innovation of women in film-behind the camera, in leading roles on the screen, and at the heart of storylines. Our focus on women in film is inspired by our city’s legacy as the birthplace of film and the women’s rights movement. The offerings include an international slate of independent films, workshops, panels and talks with the filmmakers. To learn more, please visit www.highfallsfilmfestival.com.

THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN is the largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans. The Human Rights Campaign represents a force of more than 1.5 million members and supporters nationwide – all committed to making HRC’s vision a reality. HRC envisions a world where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community. To learn more, please visit www.hrc.org.

THE JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF ROCHESTER ESTABLISHED THE AMES AMZALAK JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL in 2001, to present the best contemporary Jewish themed films from around the world to the Rochester Community. The Festival  celebrates and promotes pride in the diversity of all people and provides an international showcase for filmmakers who are Jewish or whose work explores Jewish themes, to provide a forum for exploring culture, history, and contemporary issues through film. RJFF is underwritten by the William and Sheila Konar Foundation, and the Rubens Family Foundation. We are especially proud of our and 17 year community partnership with ImageOut! The dates of the 2017 Jewish Film Festival are July 9-17.

Jordan Health at COMMUNITY PLACE offers primary healthcare and wellness services to 12-25 year old Monroe County residents. Jordan at Threshold services include primary health care, reproductive health care including STI/HIV testing and treatment, birth control, options counseling, and health education programs. We are located at 145 Parsells Avenue. Contact information (585) 784-5940 or at jordanhealth.org.

THE LGBT FUND FOR GREATER ROCHESTER AT ROCHESTER AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION was formed by a group of like-minded individuals and households interested in grassroots philanthropy to improve the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and allies now and in the future. The LGBT Giving Circle members support the fund with annual contributions which will be used to award grants to nonprofit organizations that bridge diversity and
cultivate community. Find out more at www.racf.org/LGBT.

LITERACY VOLUNTEERS OF ROCHESTER (LVR) provides free help to adults needing assistance with reading, English as a second language and math. LVR provides training for volunteers who are interested in working with one to one students, assist in a small class setting, or provide one time assistance with forms, documents and applications For more information about learning and volunteer opportunities, go to www.literacyrochester.org or call 473-3030. Literacy changes lives.

The MOCHA Center’S mission is to improve the health and wellness of LGBTQ Communities of Color. Founded in 1996 as the Men of Color Health Awareness Project, the MOCHA Center has been working to educate black men in Rochester and Buffalo about HIV/AIDS for two decades. Celebrating 20 years strong, MOCHA has created a thriving community hub where people can gather safely, find camaraderie and explore their sexual identities. In 2015, The MOCHA Center joined forces with Trillium Health, expanding their commitment to health care for communities of color. With a history of a shared allegiance, the two agencies are committed to providing a culture of compassion for the people they serve. For more information on the MOCHA Center, please visit their website mochacenter.org or call (585) 420-1400.

The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) is one of the nation’s foremost defenders of civil liberties and civil rights. Founded in 1951 as the New York affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, we are a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization with eight chapters and regionaloffices and nearly 50,000 members across the state. Our mission is to defend and promote the fundamental principles and values embodied in the Bill of Rights, the U.S. Constitution, and the New York Constitution, including freedom of speech and religion, and the right to privacy, equality and due process of law for all New Yorkers.

OUT AND EQUAL NY FINGER LAKES REGIONAL AFFILIATE is an organization that serves as a resource for regional area businesses and employee resource groups to share information in regards to LGBT workplace issues and to help promote safe and inclusive work environments for all employees. Out & Equal NY Finger Lakes is comprised of individuals from the private and public sectors of regional businesses, Human Resources and employee LGBT resource groups to collectively share information and knowledge regarding LGBT workplace issues. Our primary emphasis is to utilize our combined expertise and talents in order to support, share and educate on local policies, practices, and procedures in our goal of creating welcoming and inclusive work environments. Email us at OutandEqualFingerLakes.com.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD is the nation’s leading provider of vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of people. For nearly 100 years, Planned Parenthood has promoted a commonsense approach to health and well-being, based on respect for each individual’s right to make informed, independent decisions about health, sex and family planning. Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York serves an 18-county region and provides over 40,000 health care visits annually with two health centers locally in downtown Rochester and Greece. With care. Without judgment. No Matter What. PPCWNY is a proud partner of ImageOut.

Pride At Work AFL-CIO, Rochester/Finger Lakes Chapter is affiliated as a constituency group of the American Federation of Labor & Congress of Industrial Organizations. The purpose of Pride At Work is to mobilize mutual support between the organized labor movement and the LGBT community around organizing for social and economic justice. Membership is open to all regardless of union status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression and supports outreach and advocacy activities here in Rochester, throughout New York State, and nationwide. Follow localactivities on the PAW blog at: www.prideatwork.blogspot.com and contact President Bess Watts by email at besswhat@gmail.com or call (585) 770-4714.

THE M.K. GANDHI INSTITUTE is based in Rochester’s Plymouth-Exchange neighborhood, The M.K. Gandhi Institute collaborates with academic institutions, schools, students and local organizations in the following areas: nonviolence education, sustainability and the promotion of racial justice. While serving people of all ages, we prioritize programming for people between the ages of 12 and 24 as well as those who serve those age groups.

THE ROCHESTER GAY MEN’S CHORUS creates social change through excellence in the choral arts. For more than 30 years, the RGMC has nurtured pride, acceptance of the diversity of our communities, participated in outreach opportunities, and utilized the gift of song to raise awareness and education of LGBT issues.

TEMPLE SINAI This congregation began in 1959 when two-dozen families came together to establish a new Reform congregation in the Rochester area. Their goal to create a synagogue that lived up to Reform Jewish values and that provided a safe and inclusive environment for Jewish spiritual, educational and social fulfillment remains strong and vibrant today. In these fifty years the congregation has grown to a membership of approximately 650 families comprised of newcomers and old-timers, children and adults, Jews with abilities and disabilities, individuals, couples and families, gay and straight, Jews by birth and by choice, non-Jewish partners and spouses.There is a culture of warmth and connectedness with and among our congregants. We nurture and cherish our culture of inclusiveness, our sense of community and our sense of respect for all.Temple Sinai is a diverse and welcoming congregation. Contact: Judy Schwartz

Trillium Health, a Federally-Qualified Health Center LAL (FQHC), offers access to affordable healthcare for all, with a strong emphasis on providing barrier-free, innovative health and supportive services to underserved and marginalized communities of the Rochester and Finger Lakes region. A leader in LGBTQ Health, Trillium Health is proud to be nationally recognized five years in a row by The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Healthcare Equality Index as a leader in LGBTQ affirming health care. With a commitment to the health care needs of LGBTQ communities of color, The MOCHA Center joined the Trillium Health family in 2015. Trillium Health is located at 259 Monroe Avenue, with services that include a sliding fee scale, primary & mental health care, chronic disease management,  care management, specialized Hep C, HIV and STD care & treatment, referrals to specialists, laboratory services, insurance enrollment, food bank distribution and more. The Pharmacy at Trillium Health – open to the public, evening hours, same-day and walk-in appointments are also available. Trillium Health also have satellite offices are in Bath, Geneva, and on Central Avenue in Rochester. For more information, please call the main office at 585-545-7200, or visit our website at trilliumhealth.org.

VISUAL STUDIES WORKSHOP is an independent, internationally recognized nonprofit learning and resource committed to supporting artists and interpreters of the world of images. VSW programs include community workshops, gallery exhibitions, lectures and screenings, artist residencies, artist
publications, and a Research Center with extensive book and print collections. VSW hosts a full-time Master of Fine Arts degree program in association with the College of Brockport, SUNY. With many of its alumni prominent as artists, curators and educators, the Workshop has globally and historically expanded the fields of photography, artists’ books, film and video.

WITNESS PALESTINE FILM FESTIVAL “When We See Them, We See Us” is the theme for this fifth year of the Witness Palestine Film Festival, at The Little and elsewhere September 15 – October 21, 2016. WitnessPalestineRochester.org. We realize that the American society and Israeli/Palestinian societies are microcosms of the same struggle for human rights, with power and privilege making it hard for dominant groups, as well as the state, to see their racism. As we witness Palestine at the Festival this year, we endeavor to make these connections and highlight our common humanity in order to push for social justice everywhere.

WORLD AIDS. Doing the Positive Thing presents Rochester’s annual World AIDS Day Benefit Concert. For 15 years the concert has raised HIV/AIDS awareness by bringing together musicians, dancers, poets and speakers for an annual event that raises funds for an organization working with HIV/AIDS education and treatment. For more information visit:
www.facebook.com/doingthepositivething or email the director: Scotty Ginett, scottyginett@gmail.com

WRITERS AND BOOKS promotes reading and writing as lifelong activities for people of all ages and backgrounds. Each year our community-wide reading programs, writing classes for youth and adults, and services engage more than 25,000 Rochester-area residents of all ages and backgrounds in locations throughout the community. We reach people of all levels of interest in reading and writing and our programs are designed to help people discover the important part that literature plays in our individual lives and the life of our community. The Gell Center of the Finger Lakes, our retreat center in Naples, offers space for meeting rentals. Writers & Books is located at 740 University Ave. Rochester, NY 14607, (585) 473-2590, www.wab.org

WXXI Public Broadcasting is an award-winning PBS / NPR broadcast family of television, radio and online services dedicated to meeting cultural, civic and educational needs of its audience. WXXI operates 4 television stations, 6 radio stations and a movie theatre, providing programs for Rochester, Geneva, Ithaca and Alfred, NY areas. WXXI’s partnership with The Little Theatre strengthens the cultural connections in our community, engaging audiences with thought-provoking, community based programming. Partnerships with community organizations, universities and statewide educational agencies help to provide resources for national and regional productions, focusing on the arts, education, health and citizenship. Learn more: Go Public at WXXI.ORG.