Biographical / Historical
Conditions Governing Access
Conditions Governing Use
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Preferred Citation
Processing Information
Scope and Contents
Related Materials
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Title: ACT UP/Los Angeles picket sign collection
creator:
ACT UP Los Angeles (Organization)
Identifier/Call Number: Coll2018-027
Physical Description:
## Cubic Feet
157 items.
Date (inclusive): circa 1987-1996
Abstract: Picket signs created by members of ACT UP/Los Angeles, circa 1987-1996. These signs were displayed during demonstrations
and protests organized by ACT UP/Los Angeles to bring attention to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and to advocate for more support
services, funding, and medical research.
Biographical / Historical
Los Angeles activists, inspired by ACT UP New York and energized by the 1987 March on Washington, organized to form an ACT
UP chapter in Los Angeles. On December 04, 1987, ACT UP/Los Angeles (ACT UP/LA) met for the first time in West Hollywood.
The organization focused on improving AIDS healthcare services and networking with a broad coalition of progressive groups.
The chapter utilized non-violent direct action as a means to draw media attention and challenge the status quo. Members were
offered civil disobedience training and support teams were formed to track confrontations and arrests. Official actions were
approved by the membership; however, a number of affinity groups, such as Stop AIDS Now Or Else (SANOE), sponsored their own
actions. Nationally ACT UP actions brought about the transformation of the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
medication trial and approval processes, expanded AIDS healthcare services including those for women and prisoners, and challenged
immigration and naturalization policies.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to researchers. Digital images of all 157 items are available on the USC Digital Library. Access to
the physical items is restricted.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the ONE Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at USC Libraries 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.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Raymond Reece, September 13 and 19, 2008.
Preferred Citation
[Box/folder #, or item name] ACT UP/Los Angeles Picket Sign Collection, Coll2018-027, ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives,
USC Libraries, University of Southern California.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Cooper Moll, 2019.
Scope and Contents
This collection comprises picket signs created by members of ACT UP/Los Angeles, circa 1987-1996. These signs were displayed
during demonstrations and protests organized by ACT UP/Los Angeles to bring attention to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and to advocate
for more support services, funding, and medical research. In particular, these signs were displayed in a variety of demonstrations
and events, including the Republican National Convention, the Democratic National Convention, protests at LA-area hospitals,
as well as pride parades. In addition, several of the signs in this collection feature names and faces of Los Angeles activists
who died of complications from AIDS.
Related Materials
ACT UP/Los Angeles Records, Coll2011-010, ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
AIDS activists -- California -- Los Angeles
Demonstrations -- California -- Los Angeles
Picket signs