AIDS Activism and Protest Materials

 Image Collection Cataloging Data

A selection of digitized materials

Project Description

This project examines AIDS activism and protest materials from the 1980s and 1990s, curated from the Sexual Minorities Archive (SMA). Through an analysis of flyers, pamphlets, buttons, zines, photographs, and other protest materials, the project explores the intersection of education, activism, and community organizing in response to the AIDS crisis. By focusing on materials collected by an anonymous individual involved in the Western Massachusetts chapter of ACT UP, the project highlights how grassroots activism shaped public awareness and policy.

The curated collection emphasizes the role of visual and textual media in advocating for marginalized groups, particularly lesbian women, who were often excluded from mainstream AIDS discourse. Materials such as the 9,487 Women with AIDS flyer illustrate the systemic barriers women faced in accessing care, while educational pamphlets challenge misconceptions about HIV transmission and risk. Additionally, photographs by Joan E. Biren document lesbian visibility as a form of activism, demonstrating how everyday acts of living and loving were central to the broader struggle for LGBTQIA+ rights.

The project consisted of digitizing 30 materials through scanning and photography as well as cataloging these materials. Additionally a written paper accompanies the final project. 

Methods

This project began with reaching out to the Sexual Minorities Archive (SMA) and gaining access to the collection of materials. From there, I curated a selection of 30 items that I used for this project. I utilized the flatbed scanner and my DSLR camera to digitize the items according to FADGI standards. Following the digitization of materials I cataloged each item according to VRA Core and Cataloging Cultural Objects (CCO) standards. 

My Role — Individual

Learning Outcome Achieved – Foundations of Library & Information Science and User-Centered Services 

Rationale

This project provides evidence of the core concepts of library and information science as well as a focus on user-centered services. A key strength of this project is its alignment with the LIS concepts of "Collect, Describe, and Make Available." In collecting materials from the SMA, I engaged in an intentional selection process that ensured a diverse and representative sample of protest and activist ephemera. By cataloging these materials using VRA Core and Cataloging Cultural Objects (CCO) standards, I effectively described each item in a way that enhances accessibility and discoverability. Additionally, through digitization efforts adhering to FADGI standards, I ensured the long-term preservation and usability of these materials, thus making them widely available to researchers, activists, and the general public.

By working with a grassroots community run archive, I not only provided the opportunity of making these works available, but also provided context and information by situating AIDS activism within the broader landscape of LGBTQIA+ history and social movements. I also ensured that the works were appropriately described and made available for their target audience as well as any other potential viewers through alt text and image description. This work highlights the intersection of education, activism, and community organizing, reinforcing the value of library and information professionals in ensuring equitable access to historical records.