Lynn Tavernese

"It is a LGBT issue, but on a broader scale it isn't," says Lynn Tavernese, community relations director at the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley.
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"It's really disappointing that Alesi would co-sign this bill," Tavernese says.
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"If they come back to talk about the budget, they could vote on DOMA," Tavernese says.
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Tavernese agrees that DOMA passing in the Assembly is unlikely.But she says that right now, "It's really a wait and see."

Lynn Tavernese, Community Relations Director

Bowen said that the GAGV team will consist of himself, Donna Red Wing, Lynn Tavernese (new GAGV Director of Community Relations) and another expert to be brought in by Donna Red Wing.

You are here > Home > GAGV News > Lynn Tavarnese is new Community Relations Director
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Lynn Tavarnese is new Community Relations Director
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Lynn Tavarnese is the newest member of the Gay Alliance staff.
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She started as Director of Community Relations on March 22, just in time for the move to the Auditorium Center.

Lynn has worked for Tops Markets for the last seven years, and has much experience with business and organizational management.
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Lynn will direct the agency,s inclusive culture program and oversee the new Anti-Violence project.Se said that her first priority is to ,bring the GAGV to the community, to foster the strong bonds they already have, and to reach people who aren,t aware of what the Gay Alliance does.I think we need to work with different companies and help them understand what the needs of their gay employees are.I,ll do diversity programs, and will educate the greater community about the needs of the lgbt community , and help people understand that it,s OK to be comfortable with who we are in the workplace.,

Lynn likes to relate to people on a one-to-one basis. ,I,ve always felt honesty is important,, she said. ,I communicate well with people because I,m honest.I try to talk about fears, share myself in the conversation, and understand that certain things can be strange to people at first.I think that the more open dialogue you have, the better , in the long run, that leads to a better understanding.I try to talk to people like their next-door neighbor, and I think that helps.,

Another priority for Lynn is increasing GAGV membership. ,It,s all part of the process of becoming comfortable with who you are,, she said.

She feels that many lgbt people in the community have just never thought about joining the GAGV.When thinking why some people have never become members, she reflects, ,They may have never known people who were involved, or they don,t think their membership would make a difference.No one has ever said to them, ,We need you,.,

Lynn and her partner feel that their decision to become GAGV members was part of their longtime dedication to supporting causes they believe in. ,It,s a part of us,, she said.

As a volunteer, Lynn has made many contributions to food banks and cupboards, and has worked with Open Arms MCC.She has also ,adopted, the youth group at Christ the King church, and has often made donations to them.

Lynn plans to attend as many of the Alliance,s programs as possible, in order to familiarize herself with what the Alliance does.She also wants to expand the agency,s media contacts. ,I think it,s important to get media coverage,, she said. ,Every time you,re on TV, at least one more person learns what the Gay Alliance is about.,

Lynn will be making many presentations in the greater community, and will work closely with Toby Greenfield, Youth Services Director, and Todd Plank, Community Education Outreach Director, as well as the newly hired Anti-Violence Project Coordinator, Alex Cobus.
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One of the reasons Lynn wanted to work for the GAGV is that she was energized by the town meeting and, as a partner and mother, feels deeply about lgbt marriage equality. ,I don,t believe in civil unions,, she said. ,That,s secondary to what I should be able to do.I should be afforded the right to be married to the person I love.I don,t think someone should tell me I,m not good enough to be married.Marriage is a right, and it,s being denied to us.,

Lynn,s brother-in-law is a director of HIV/AIDS research for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and she plans to marry there if the state legalizes marriage for same sex couples in May, and then return to New York to seek recognition.

,Someone has to do it, and be part of the process,, she said. ,My partner and I have been together for 11 years, and we believe we will be together for the rest of our lives.It,s important to teach our children about that kind of commitment.,

Lynn concluded, ,I,m very excited about being hired by this organization.I think it,s a wonderful time to come on board.The GAGV has done such a great job, and I,m happy to be part of it.,

You are here > Home > GAGV News > Lynn Tavarnese is new Community Relations Director

Rochester NY, September 23, 2004-The Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley announced today that Lynn Tavernese will serve as Acting Executive Director until a permanent replacement has been selected for Chuck Bowen.
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Tavernese currently serves as Community Relations Director for the Gay Alliance.Prior to joining the Alliance, she was a senior manager with Tops Friendly Markets here in Rochester where she managed a staff of 130 employees and supervised a budget of $20 Million.

"Lynn's experience will serve the GAGV well," said Chuck Bowen, current Executive Director.