Celebrating and preserving Rochester's LGBTQIA+ community
The Roc Rainbow Rally was a multi-day event held in October, 2023, which focused on celebrating our LGBTQIA+ community while experimenting with virtual archiving and preservation. Studio X, Digital Scholarship, and the Writing Speaking and Argument Program, teamed up with sponsors from across the University to exhibit the world’s first LGBTQ+ VR Museum over a 3-day period. Simultaneously, we offered programming that invited students, staff, and faculty to discuss challenges and opportunities of digital archiving, learn from local LGBTQ+ community organizations, and create 3D objects to populate our own Rochester LGBTQIA+ Museum—the Roc Rainbow Experience. In spaces across the University, rally attendees participated in panel discussions, workshops, and learning sessions about object-oriented archiving and how artifacts help connect us to our histories and identities.
During the event, over 100 people attended Rally panels and workshops, experienced the world’s first LGBTQ+ Museum, and celebrated our thriving community together.
Day 1: Preparing to exhibit the Museum by diving into archiving
Many local organizations have collaborated on collecting and preserving artifacts and stories to celebrate the queer community in Rochester. This panel explored how we can 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 also featured a 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
Day 2: Intergenerational Panel and Connecting to Rochester’s LGBTQIA+ Community
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. The intergenerational panel celebrated and shared 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
Day 3: Creating Objects for the Roc Rainbow Experience
Through hands-on digitization workshops, students, staff, and the Rochester community were invited to create their own 3D digital artifacts to celebrate and preserve Rochester’s queer community. Check out the video preview of the Roc Rainbow Experience below, or come to Studio X and explore the Roc Rainbow Experience, Rochester’s LGBTQIA+ VR museum, in a headset!
Day 4: Keynote from Antonia Forster and Previewing the Roc Rainbow Experience
Forster gave an inspiring talk about constructing safe, queer spaces virtually where users can experiences with objects and stories in headsets to connect with the global LGBTQIA+ community.
The Roc Rainbow Experience is a virtual LGBTQIA+ museum at the University of Rochester. It is inspired by Antonia Forster's groundbreaking work on the world's first LGBTQ+ VR Museum that is dedicated to celebrating artifacts, artwork, and stories of LGBTQ+ people. We intend to continue adding artifacts to the Roc Rainbow Experience. If you would like to contribute an item, please reach out to studiox@library.rochester.edu.
Roc Rainbow Rally Wins Gwennie in DEI Initiatives Category
Thanks to the Greene Center for their support throughout the Rally, and for honoring the event with a Gwennie!
With Many Thanks for the Incredible Support that we Received from across the University!
The Roc Rainbow Experience is a virtual LGBTQIA+ museum at the University of Rochester. It is inspired by Antonia Forster's groundbreaking work on the world's first LGBTQ+ VR Museum that is dedicated to celebrating artifacts, artwork, and stories of LGBTQ+ people. We intend to continue adding artifacts to the Roc Rainbow Experience. If you would like to contribute an item, please reach out to studiox@library.rochester.edu.
