 
Assembly Resolution No. 1013
 
BY: M. of A. Bronson
 
        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.
Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of ImageOut Film Festival

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