Joseph Pakyz Collection of Rochester LGBTQ Serials and Ephemera
Content Description
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.
Dates
- Creation: 1971-1989
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1982 - 1989
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the collection.
Conditions Governing Use
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.
Biographical Note
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.
Extent
0.3 Cubic Feet (1 box)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection consists of 1 box.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Joseph Pakyz, 2023.
Bibliography
Pakyz, Joseph. "Joe Pakyz." LinkedIn, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-pakyz-b7394012a
Condition 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.
- Title
- A Guide to the Joseph Pakyz Collection of Rochester LGBTQ Serials and Ephemera
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Brandon Fess
- Date
- 2023-12-19
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Local History & Genealogy Division Repository
115 South Ave.
Rochester 14604 USA
585-428-8370
585-428-8353 (Fax)
lochistref@libraryweb.org