Finding Aid to the Mobilization Against AIDS Records, 1984-1995 MSS.95.03
Finding Aid written by Julia Bazar
Funding for processing this collection was provided The National Historical Publications and Records Commission
University of California, San Francisco Archives & Special Collections
© 2007
530 Parnassus Ave
Room 524
San Francisco, CA 94143-0840
libraryarchives@ucsf.edu
Contributing Institution:
University of California, San Francisco Archives & Special Collections
Title: Mobilization Against AIDS records,
Creator:
Mobilization Against Aids
Identifier/Call Number: MSS.95.03
Physical Description:
3 cartons
3.75
Date (inclusive): 1984-1995
Abstract: This collection documents the founding, administration and work of the Mobilization Against AIDS also known as the MOB. MOB
was primarily a lobbying organization working against anti-AIDS initiatives and governmental policies, promoting the testing
of new AIDS Drugs, and generally drawing attention to the AIDS epidemic around the world. They are best known for their AIDS
Dance-a-thon fundraiser and the International AIDS Candlelight Vigil outreach activity.
Physical Location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog:
http://www.library.ucsf.edu/ .
Language of Material: Collection materials are in English
General
- Finding Aid Written By:
- Julia Bazar
- Date Completed:
- March 2007
Access
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright has not been assigned to the UCSF Library and Center for Knowledge Management. All requests for permission to publish
or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manager of Archives and Special Collections. Permission for
publication is given on behalf of the UCSF Library and Center for Knowledge Management as the owner of the physical items
and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.
Copyright restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Mobilization Against AIDS Records, MSS 95-03, The UCSF Library and Center for Knowledge Management,
Archives and Special Collections, University of California, San Francisco.
Alternate Forms Available
There are no alternate forms of this collection.
Separated Material
None
Acquisition Information
The Mobilization Against AIDS Records were donated to the University by Ben Carlson for the Mobilization Against AIDS in 1995.
System of Arrangement
Arranged to the folder level.
Processing Information
Julia Bazar, September 2005
Organizational History
The Mobilization Against AIDS is a California-based national advocacy and lobbying organization that works to safeguard civil
rights and to assure adequate treatment for all HIV-infected individuals. The Mobilization was formed in San Francisco in
1984 as a non-partisan activist organization. The organization was founded on the positive energy generated from the March
for Lesbian and Gay Rights at the National Democratic Convention. It is one of the oldest AIDS activist groups in the world,
having been founded just three years after AIDS was identified.
The Mobilization's first priority was the defeat of the early civil rights attacks on people with AIDS, and then on increasing
the funding for research on AIDS. This included advocating for a focused response to the AIDS epidemic from the federal government,
and expanded to concerns over access to treatment, drug trials, drug approval processes, and drug costs.
MOB was a central player in the massive campaigns that succeeded in defeating the LaRouche AIDS Quarantine Initiatives in
1986 and 1988, and the Dannemeyer AIDS Initiative in 1988. In 1990 federal legislation explicitly prohibited discrimination
against people with AIDS. As a direct lobbying group, the Mobilization organizes staff and volunteers to meet with federal
officials and legislators. This has led to the development of long-term relationships with congressional representatives,
especially those on the House of Representatives Budget and Appropriations Committees. Between 1984 and 1990 federal AIDS
spending went from $85 million to over $1.8 billion, partially as a result of MOB lobbying efforts. The MOB also assists interested
citizens in writing and visiting key federal officials and legislators, including the creation of kits that include sample
letters and other tips.
Another major project has been organizing the International Candlelight Memorial. Since 1984, the event has become the world's
largest simultaneous observance honoring the memory of AIDS victims and demonstrating support for people living with AIDS
(PWA's). Memorials have taken place in over 220 cities in 35 countries. Events are arranged locally with support from the
Mobilization, including supplying sample posters, letters to dignitaries, and providing logistical tips.
They have also worked with other agencies for more effective lobbying efforts. The Mobilization has received the majority
of its funding from the AIDS Walkathon and the AIDS Dance-a-thon with the remainder coming from individual donations.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection documents the founding, administration and work of the Mobilization Against AIDS also known as the MOB. The
MOB is primarily a lobbying organization working against anti-AIDS initiatives and government policies, promoting the testing
of new AIDS Drugs, and generally drawing attention to the AIDS epidemic around the world. It is also an outreach organization.
MOB worked to bring public understanding and support to the HIV-positive community, and to champion AIDS as an issue of concern
to all.
Both board and staff meeting minutes are included in the administrative records. Besides a number of smaller fundraising
events, their primary event was the Annual AIDS Dance-a-thon. This fundraiser, which was held between 1987 and 1996, attracted
the endorsement of celebrities such as Madonna, and provided monies not just to MOB, but to a number of other AIDS Organizations
such as the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and Instituto Familiar de la Raza. Outreach activities and programs ranged from
Town Hall meetings to the International AIDS Candlelight Vigil, an outreach activity which grew from a local event into a
truly worldwide night of commemoration. The MOB's main activity, however, was working against the early homophobic anti-AIDS
initiatives, lobbying the government for increased AIDS funding, and working for the release of better AIDS drugs. The MOB
staff and board not only lobbied, but also organized "Lobbying Teams" and "Lobbying Days" to bring ordinary citizens into
the movement and increase the pressure on the politicians. Flyers for events, a MOB button and handkerchief, along with a
few photographs, are also included in the collection.
The Collection is divided into three series: Series 1: Founding, Board, and Administrative Files; Series 2: Fundraising,
Program, and Organizational Files; Series 3: Publicity/Publications/Ephemera.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
AIDS (Disease)--California--San Francisco
AIDS (Disease)--Political aspects--United States
AIDS (Disease)--Research--Government policy
AIDS (Disease)--Social aspects--California--San Francisco Bay Area
AIDS activists--United States
Social Action--United States
Mobilization Against AIDS (organization)
Founding, Board, and Administrative Files Series 1
1984-1995
Physical Description: 50 Folders : Carton 1 Folders 1/1-1/50
Scope and Contents
This series contains documents relating to the founding of the Mobilization Against AIDS, as well as board of directors minutes
and other administrative files including staff meeting minutes, correspondence, and financial documents.
carton 1, folder 2
Creation of Mobilization
December 1984
carton 1, folder 3
Strategy and Foundation Conference (including John Wahl's notes, etc.)
March 29-31, 1985
carton 1, folder 4
Mobilization Conference Minutes
March 30-31, 1985
carton 1, folder 5
Steering Committee Minutes
1985
carton 1, folder 6
Town Hall, General and Steering Committee - Reports, Minutes, Notes
1985
carton 1, folder 7
Board/Working Committee Minutes
1986
carton 1, folder 8
Steering Committee - Notes and Minutes
1988
carton 1, folder 13
January, March, July, September, November 1991
carton 1, folder 19
Board and Committee Members - including resignations
1985,
1993,
undated
carton 1, folder 21
Board/Staff Retreat
January 1992
carton 1, folder 22
Board/Staff Meeting #2
June 1992
carton 1, folder 29
President Ronald Regan (draft)
1987
carton 1, folder 30
John E. Wahl
1980-1986,
undated
carton 1, folder 36
Local HIV/AIDS CBO - Re: Problems
1994
carton 1, folder 37
From Mayors Office - Re: Citizens Advocating Emergency AIDS Relief (CAEAR) Coalition
1995
carton 1, folder 44
Personnel Committee/Office Structure
1985-1992
carton 1, folder 45
Office Policy
1990-1992,
undated
carton 1, folder 46
Finance Committee Meeting
September, 1989
carton 1, folder 48
MAA-PAC - A Federal Election Campaign
1992-1993
carton 1, folder 49
Consultants Report - Finance/Development
1993
carton 1, folder 50
1991-1992 Audit
May, 1994
Fundraising, Program, and Organizational Files Series 2
1985-1995
Physical Description: 94 Folders : Carton 2 Folders 2/1-2/74 ; Carton 3 Folders 3/1-3/20
Scope and Contents
This series contains information on a variety of programs, both outreach and fundraising. This includes information on the
Mobilization Against AIDS' two major events: The annual Dance-a-thon, which was promoted by Madonna (among others), and served
as their major fundraiser; and the Candlelight Vigil, which became a very successful international outreach event. Also documented
in this series are the Mobilization's lobbying efforts, including the creation of "Lobby Teams," "Lobby Day" as a part of
the 1992 March on Washington, several petition drives, as well as work against a number of anti-gay propositions, and advocacy
for increased AIDS funding. There is also a small amount of material on a number of other AIDS agencies that worked with the
Mobilization.
carton 2, folder 1-27
Development and Fundraising Events
carton 2, folder 1
Membership Fundraising Letters
1992-1993
carton 2, folder 2
October 1992 - February 1993
carton 2, folder 4
Development Director - Info. Packet
1992
carton 2, folder 5-27
Fundraising Events
1984-1989,
1995
carton 2, folder 5
April Harvest, Leola Jones, & others
1985
carton 2, folder 6
Death Valley Rose Challenge
1985
carton 2, folder 7
2nd Wave/Project Hope
1988-1989
carton 2, folder 8
East Bay Board Fundraising Event
1991
carton 2, folder 9
SF Board Cocktail Party - Fundraiser
1991,
undated
carton 2, folder 12
Script (copyright 1990)
1994
carton 2, folder 13
Yours in the Struggle: A Tribute to Reggie Williams
February 1994
carton 2, folder 14
Telephone Solicitation Project (TSP)
undated
carton 2, folder 17
Contract with San Francisco AIDS Foundation (SFAF)
1992
carton 2, folder 19
Contracts - Miller, Zeichik, and Associates (MZA) and SFAF [1994]
1993-1994
carton 2, folder 20
American Indian AIDS Institute [1994]
1993-1994
carton 2, folder 21
GAPA Community HIV Project [1994]
1993-1994
carton 2, folder 22
HIV Prevention Project [1994]
1993-1994
carton 2, folder 23
Instituto Familiar de la Raza [1994]
1993-1994
carton 2, folder 24
Project Inform [1994]
1993-1994
carton 2, folder 25
San Francisco Black Coalition on AIDS [1994]
1993-1994
carton 2, folder 28
Articles/Speeches by Paul Boneberg
1987-1991
carton 2, folder 29
Research and Documentation Committee
1985
carton 2, folder 30
People with AIDS/People with ARC (PWA/PWARC) Caucus
1985
carton 2, folder 31
Goals and Programs
1989-1991
Programs
Physical Description: Carton 2 Folder 32 - Carton 3 Folder 4
carton 2, folder 32-35
Candlelight Memorials/Vigils
carton 2, folder 33
Capp Street Foundation
1987
carton 2, folder 37
The Hour Brigade
1985-1987
carton 2, folder 38
MAA Library
1985,
undated
carton 2, folder 39
Antibody Testing Opinions
1988
carton 2, folder 40
American Medical Association Campaign
1985
carton 2, folder 42
Federal AIDS Hearings
1985
carton 2, folder 44
Homophobic Propaganda
1986
carton 2, folder 45
LaRouche Initiative - Non-Compliance Project
1986
carton 2, folder 46
LaRouche Quarantine Initiative
1986
carton 2, folder 47
California Mandatory Testing Bills (Doolittle S.B. 1000-10008)
1987
carton 2, folder 48
No on Prop. 102 and LaRouche Campaign - Newsclippings
1988
carton 2, folder 49
Prop. 192 - Dannemeyer
1988
carton 2, folder 50
San Francisco Ballot Initiatives
1985,
1989
carton 2, folder 51
Updates - Legi-Tech Reports & Bills
1985-1988
carton 2, folder 52
Just Sign It! Campaign
1992
carton 2, folder 55
National AIDS Lobby Day
1992
carton 2, folder 56
Federal AIDS Funding
1991-1992
carton 2, folder 57
Ryan White Care Act
1993-1995
carton 2, folder 59
Lobby Team 1992
1992-1993
carton 2, folder 60
International Programs
1992
carton 2, folder 61
1990 Sixth International AIDS Conference - Boycott
1989-1990
carton 2, folder 62
Planning Notes and Materials
March 1990
carton 2, folder 64
Republican Convention Action
1988
carton 2, folder 65
Presidential Debates
1992
carton 2, folder 66
Houston Republican Convention
1992
carton 2, folder 68
March on Washington Lobby Days
1993
carton 2, folder 69
Worlds AIDS Day Protest/Arrests
1989
carton 2, folder 70
"Moon Shot" Petition
1986
carton 2, folder 71
KQED Protest - Press Coverage
1986
carton 2, folder 72
Delta Airlines Boycott
1989
carton 2, folder 74
Burroughs Wellcome - Boycott - Advisory Board
1989,
1993-1995
carton 3, folder 1
Call for Resignation of Kristine Gebbie - National AIDS Policy Coordinator
1994
carton 3, folder 2
1990 Year in Review Compendium
1990-1991
carton 3, folder 4
Loose Documents - handwritten notes, forms, etc.
1984-1992
carton 3, folder 5
Seattle and Phoenix Chapters of MAA
1985-1986
carton 3, folder 6
"Packet of Materials for Linus Pauling"
1985
carton 3, folder 7-20
Other Organizations/Cooperation
carton 3, folder 7
AIDS Action Council - TB/HIV
1992
carton 3, folder 8
Asian AIDS Project
1994-1995
carton 3, folder 9
Committee to Preserve our Sexual Liberties
1984,
undated
carton 3, folder 10
Health and Human Services (HHS) HIV Prevention Working Group
1993,
1995
carton 3, folder 11
Joint Task Force on the HIV Epidemic - SF
1993-1994
carton 3, folder 12
LIFE AIDS Lobby - Lobby for Individual Freedom & Equality
1989
carton 3, folder 13
National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA)
1995
carton 3, folder 14
PANT - Pentamidine Advocates for Necessary Treatment
1989
carton 3, folder 15
People with AIDS Coalition
1995
carton 3, folder 16
San Francisco AIDS Foundation
1993-1995
carton 3, folder 17
San Francisco AIDS Foundation - Prevention Roundtable
1992
carton 3, folder 18
San Francisco Public Policy Working Group
1994-1995
carton 3, folder 19
Visual AIDS - Posters
1994
carton 3, folder 20
Other Organizations - includes religious organizations
1984-1985,
undated
Publicity/Publications/Ephemera Series 3
1985-1995
Physical Description: 19 Folders : Carton 3 Folders 3/21-3/39
Scope and Contents
This series contains flyers for Mobilization Against AIDS events, clippings and other materials related to media coverage
of events and programs. This includes the Mobilization's communications and press plan. There are also a scattering of Mobilization
newsletters and more formal publications such as
Action Alert and
AIDSwatch. The final materials in this series are several buttons related to Mobilization events and campaigns, and a small amount
of photographs from various events.
carton 3, folder 33
Communications and Press Plan
1992
carton 3, folder 34
Miscellaneous MAA Advertising and Media Criticism
1994,
undated
carton 3, folder 35
Newsletters - Communications
1985
carton 3, folder 38
MAA Buttons & Handkerchief
1988,
1991,
1992,
undated
carton 3, folder 39
Photographs
1985-1988,
1991-1992