Joseph Pakyz Collection of Rochester LGBTQ Serials and Ephemera, 1971-1989, bulk 1982-1989

Summary

Extent:
0.3 Cubic Feet 1 box
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Joseph Pakyz Collection of Rochester LGBTQ Serials and Ephemera. [box 1,folder #]. Local History and Genealogy Division, Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County N.Y.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of serials and ephemera related to Rochester's LGBTQ+ community during the 1980s. Included are original copies of The Empty Closet newspaper to which Mr. Pakyz contributed articles and programs from early concerts by the Rochester Gay Men's Chorus. Also included are copies of the first two issues of The Empty Closet (January and February/March 1971) and historically important national publications on the AIDS Crisis.

Biographical / historical:

Joseph Pakyz is a native of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, where he attended Lansdale Catholic High School. From 1980 to 1984, he studied optics at the University of Rochester. During this time, he also engaged with Rochester's gay community. Upon graduating from the University, he took a position with Optical Gaging Products in Rochester, a position he held until August 1989. He also wrote for The Empty Closet during these years. In 1989 he left Rochester for San Antonio, Texas, where he worked first for Inrad Optics in 1990 and 1991, then for Harwood Assessment and Educational Testing Service from 1991 to 2013. At the beginning of 2014, he returned home to Lansdale, Pennsylvania, still working for Educational Testing Service. He left that role in 2020; making a career change, he became a certified massage therapist in December 2022.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Joseph Pakyz, 2023.
Arrangement:

This collection consists of 1 box.

Physical description:
Most material is in very good condition. The 1980s issues of The Empty Closet are in fair condition - the highly acidic newsprint is severely tanned and chipping.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the collection.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use in any current or future manifestations must be obtained in writing from the Rochester Public Library Local History and Genealogy Division.

Preferred citation:

Joseph Pakyz Collection of Rochester LGBTQ Serials and Ephemera. [box 1,folder #]. Local History and Genealogy Division, Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County N.Y.

Location of this collection:
Rundel Memorial Building
115 South Avenue
Rochester, NY 14604, United States
Link to repository site
Contact:
585-428-8370
lochist@libraryweb.org