The University of Rochester Libraries is proud to present a multi-day event highlighting artifacts and stories from the LGBTQIA+ community. In spaces across the University, rally attendees can participate in panel discussions, workshops, and learning sessions about object-oriented archiving and how artifacts help connect us to our histories and identities. See below for the full schedule of events. (NOTE: those coming from off campus will need a parking pass, see map for directions). 

Wednesday, October 18 | "From Shared Experiences to Shared Collections: Building Analog and Virtual Queer Spaces"
6:00pm–7:30pm, Hawkins-Carlson, Rush Rhees Library

Many local organizations have collaborated on collecting and preserving artifacts and stories to celebrate the queer community in Rochester. This panel dives into how we will build on their efforts with conversation about how archiving existing collections in the digital era allows us to learn from, appreciate, and enrich this history.  The welcome event will also feature a brief talk from Col Raimond, director of LGBTQ Life at the Paul J. Burgett Intercultural Center, on the importance of pronouns in recognition of International Pronouns Day.

Panel speakers

RJ Alcalá ʼ71E, a collector, activist, and public speaker

Gerry Szymanski, librarian for the Lilac Library and reserves and digital services librarian at Sibley Music Library at the Eastman School of Music

Lisa Wright, a digitization specialist for the River Campus Libraries at the University of Rochester

Moderator

Jessica Lacher-Feldman, exhibits and special collections project manager for the Department of Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation (RBSCP) at the University of Rochester

Reception to follow, sponsored by RBSCP. LGBTQ+ resources from local organizations will be available. Please register for the event.

Thursday, October 19 | Experiencing the LGBTQ+ VR Museum 
11:00am–5:00pm, Mary Ann Mavrinac Studio X, Carlson Library First Floor
12:00pm–2:00pm, Edward G. Miner Library, URMC
3:00pm–5:00pm, George Walker Center for Equity & Inclusion, Eastman School of Music
7:00pm–8:00pm, Barbara J. Burger iZone’s Kessler Forum, Rush Rhees Library

Mary Ann Mavrinac Studio X invites you to experience the LGBTQ+ VR Museum, the world's first virtual reality museum dedicated to celebrating the stories and artwork of LGBTQIA+ people and preserving queer personal histories. Explore virtual artwork contributed by LGBTQIA+ members from across the world. No registration required.

Thursday, October 19 |"Digital Manuscripts for LGBTQ+ History"
5:00pm, Rossell Hope Robbins Library, Rush Rhees Library

BONUS lecture! Although it's not technically part of the rally, a talk being given by Bridget Whearty, an associate professor of English at Binghamton University, offers a fortuitous supplement. Whearty will discuss her new project "Always Here: A Queer+Trans Global Medieval Sourcebook," and its deep roots in her ongoing work on manuscripts and digitization. You can learn more on University calendar page for this talk.

Thursday, October 19 | “Celebrating Activism Across Generations”
6:00pm–7:00pm, Barbara J. Burger iZone’s Kessler Forum, Rush Rhees Library

Rochester’s LGBTQ+ community has a long and rich history of activism that we can learn and benefit from as we try to create a more welcoming and inclusive future. This intergenerational panel will celebrate and share activism and advocacy through discussion of past experiences and selection of digitized physical objects that represent their activism and advocacy. 

Panelists

Brittan Hardgers, founder of Next Generation Men of Transition and patient care officer/ombudsperson, URMC

Karen Hagberg '76E (PhD), one of the Rochester students who started The Empty Closet

Rebecca Sanaeikia, a Rochester PhD student in the Department of Philosophy and GradOut Diversity and Inclusion Officer

Ellie Vetack '23, president and publicity chair of Out in Stem

Moderator 

Jordan Ealey, assistant professor of black studies at the University of Rochester

LGBTQ+ resources from local organizations will be available. Please register for this event

Friday, October 20 | Experiencing the LGBTQ+ VR Museum 
12:00pm–2:30pm, Lam Square, Rush Rhees Library
3:00pm–8:00pm, Paul J. Burgett Intercultural Center, Douglass Commons

Explore virtual artwork contributed by LGBTQIA+ members from across the world. No registration required.

Friday, October 20 | Creating the Roc Rainbow Experience
12:00pm–7:00pm, Studio X, Carlson Library

Help create a virtual LGBTQ+ museum at the University of Rochester! Through a hands-on digitization workshops, you can create your own 3D digital artifacts to celebrate and preserve Rochester’s queer community.

Please register for this event

Saturday, October 21 | Experiencing the World's First LGBTQ+ VR Museum 
10:00am–2:00pm, Studio X, Carlson Library First Floor
3:00pm–5:30pm, Studio X, Carlson Library First Floor

Explore virtual artwork contributed by LGBTQIA+ members from across the world. No registration required.

Saturday, October 21 | Roc Rainbow Rally Keynote Address
2:00pm–3:00pm, Zoom and Studio X, Carlson Library First Floor

The rally will close with a virtual address from Antonia Forster, the creator of the LGBTQ+ VR Museum and a senior XR technical specialist at Unity, made possible by the Digital Media Studies Program.

Forster is a TEDx speaker and an award-winning DEI consultant. As a neurodivergent, LGBTQ+, self-taught developer, she is passionate about using her voice and skills to make space for underrepresented and marginalized individuals. 

You can join via Zoom or the viewing party in Studio X. You can also host your own viewing party—if interested please fill out this form if you’d like to sign-up to host a watch party for the keynote. 

Please register for this event. 

*Roc Rainbow Rally is sponsored by*

Mary Ann Mavrinac Studio X · Digital Media Studies · River Campus Libraries Excellence Fund · Department of Rare Books, Special Collections, & Preservation · Digital Scholarship · The Rossell Hope Robbins Library · Edward G. Miner Library · The Barbara J. Burger iZone · Writing, Speaking, & Argument Program · Art & Art History · Visual & Cultural Studies · Susan B. Anthony Institute for Gender, Sexuality, & Women’s Studies · Philosophy · Susan B. Anthony Center · The Center for Community Engagement · Paul J. Burgett Intercultural Center · The Learning Center · The Greene Center · LGBTQ+ Network · Rochester Rainbow Union