Senate Resolution No. 2802
BY: Senator COONEY
COMMEMORATING the 30th Anniversary of ImageOut
Film Festival
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize the
profound impact of those exemplary organizations and events within the
great State of New York which proactively work for the empowerment of
minority communities, and the importance of such work which benefits all
citizens of this State, and indeed, all citizens of the Nation, should
be rightfully commended; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 30th Anniversary of ImageOut Film Festival; and
WHEREAS, In 1993, the Rochester Lesbian and Gay Film and Video
Festival was established under the auspices of The Gay Alliance of the
Genesee Valley and The Rochester Lesbian and Gay Political Caucus; and
WHEREAS, The first festival included 18 programs and 100 films and
videos and focused upon celebrating and documenting the past and present
of the global Lesbian and Gay community; each of these inaugural shows
attracted nearly 90% of the theatre's capacity, proving to its founders
they started a vital and exciting community event; and
WHEREAS, During this time, the Rochester LGBT community received
their first taste of what would become the largest annual cultural event
in the area; and
WHEREAS, The festival's second year brought new and innovative
changes; the Third Coast Call for Work, a distinct entry category to
highlight the work of regional film and video makers, was introduced; in
addition, sign-language interpretive services of film programs for the
deaf and hearing-impaired community were provided, making Rochester one
of only a handful of festivals in North America to offer this essential
service; and
WHEREAS, By 1995, the Film Festival had grown dramatically; more
than 100 films and videos were exhibited and the first ever closing
night gala reception at George Eastman House Museum became an annual
celebratory conclusion to the festival week; and
WHEREAS, Archival Night at the Dryden Theatre was also introduced in
1995, featuring classic films of gay cinema's past from the George
Eastman House Museum Motion Picture Archives; a third venue, The
University of Rochester, allowed the Festival to reach a younger
audience, and an enthusiastic and diverse audience of more than 4,000
pressed to attend often sold out films; and
WHEREAS, As a result of such rapid growth and support, the Rochester
Lesbian and Gay Film and Video Festival successfully incorporated in
1996 as an independent, not-for-profit corporation and the festival was
named ImageOut; and
WHEREAS, After four years, ImageOut joined the ranks of the
ever-growing national Lesbian and Gay Film Festival community, rivaling
many festivals in cities both comparable to and larger than Rochester;
and
WHEREAS, ImageOut, a community-based volunteer organization, has
served as a major vehicle in promoting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgender visibility and understanding; its reach has extended to
thousands within the greater Rochester gay, lesbian, bisexual, and
transgender community and beyond to the general population of the entire
Western New York region; and
WHEREAS, Each record-breaking year brought more programs and larger
audiences to the Film Festival; from two venues in 1993 to five venues
in 2001, ImageOut not only expanded the number of seats available, but
also areas of the city where films were screened; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, 2001s record attendance of 8,500 and 43
different programs of film and video solidified ImageOut's position as
the largest lesbian and gay film festival in Upstate New York and the
second largest lesbian and gay film festival in all of New York State;
and
WHEREAS, In 2009, ImageOut added screenings to the southern part of
Monroe County at the Rochester Institute of Technology's Ingle
Auditorium with the help of OUTspoken, the RIT LGBT student
organization; and
WHEREAS, Today, ImageOut continues to be a leading provider of LGBT
arts and cultural programs in the region, hosting the largest film
festival in Rochester and the largest LGBT film festival in New York
State; and
WHEREAS, The success of ImageOut is in direct correlation to the
efforts of its dedicated members and volunteers, whose involvement is,
and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an
unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in
all endeavors on behalf of the organization and the community it serves;
and
WHEREAS, For three decades, ImageOut has remained true to its
mission of presenting LGBT arts and cultural experiences showcasing
films, other creative works and artists to promote awareness, foster
dialogue and build community; and
WHEREAS, Our society is greatly benefited by the purposeful efforts
of individuals who unite for the cause of improving the quality of life
for others, and who proactively work toward the goal of dignity for all;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 30th Anniversary of ImageOut Film Festival; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to ImageOut.
