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 1

MAA History 1991

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 9-18

Board Meetings

carton 1, folder 9

January 1989

carton 1, folder 10

April 1989

carton 1, folder 11

July 1989

carton 1, folder 12

1990

carton 1, folder 13

January, March, July, September, November 1991

carton 1, folder 14

January-July 1992

carton 1, folder 15

Memo October 1992

carton 1, folder 16

September-November 1992

carton 1, folder 17

1993

carton 1, folder 18

1994-1995

carton 1, folder 19

Board and Committee Members - including resignations 1985, 1993, undated

carton 1, folder 20

Board Committees 1993

carton 1, folder 21

Board/Staff Retreat January 1992

carton 1, folder 22

Board/Staff Meeting #2 June 1992

carton 1, folder 23-25

Staff Meetings

carton 1, folder 23

Minutes and Memos 1992

carton 1, folder 24

Notes - Preliminary 1993

carton 1, folder 25

Official Minutes 1993-94

carton 1, folder 26-43

Correspondence

carton 1, folder 26

Paul Boneberg 1985-1992

carton 1, folder 27

Barbara Boxer 1986-1990

carton 1, folder 28

Nancy Pelosi 1993-1995

carton 1, folder 29

President Ronald Regan (draft) 1987

carton 1, folder 30

John E. Wahl 1980-1986, undated

carton 1, folder 31-33

Political Correspondence

carton 1, folder 31

1985

carton 1, folder 32

1989

carton 1, folder 33

1992, 1995

carton 1, folder 34

Dance-a-thon 1987-1990

carton 1, folder 35

From Individuals 1989

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 38-39

General Correspondence

carton 1, folder 38

1985-1994

carton 1, folder 39

1993-1995

carton 1, folder 40-43

Interoffice Memos

folder 40

July-August 1992

carton 1, folder 41

October-December 1992

carton 1, folder 42

January-December 1993

carton 1, folder 43

February-November 1994

carton 1, folder 44

Personnel Committee/Office Structure 1985-1992

carton 1, folder 45

Office Policy 1990-1992, undated

carton 1, folder 46-50

Financial Documents

carton 1, folder 46

Finance Committee Meeting September, 1989

carton 1, folder 47

Reports 1990, 1992

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 2-3

Development Committee

carton 2, folder 2

October 1992 - February 1993

carton 2, folder 3

March-June 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 10

Macy's Passport 92 1992

carton 2, folder 11-12

Indecent Materials

carton 2, folder 11

Event 1994

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 15-27

Dance-a-thon

carton 2, folder 15

1987

carton 2, folder 16

1988

carton 2, folder 17

Contract with San Francisco AIDS Foundation (SFAF) 1992

carton 2, folder 18

1993

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 26

1994

carton 2, folder 27

1990, 1995

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 32

1985-1995

carton 2, folder 33

Capp Street Foundation 1987

carton 2, folder 34

Booklets 1990-1992

carton 2, folder 35

Clippings 1986-1989

carton 2, folder 36

Condom Promotion 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 41

Press Releases 1984-1995

carton 2, folder 42-59

Legislative Activities

carton 2, folder 42

Federal AIDS Hearings 1985

carton 2, folder 43

State 1985-1986

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 53-54

Federal

carton 2, folder 53

1983-1986

carton 2, folder 54

1993

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 58-59

Lobby Teams

carton 2, folder 58

1990-1991

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 62-63

HIV/AIDS Unity March

carton 2, folder 62

Planning Notes and Materials March 1990

carton 2, folder 63

Press Coverage 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 67

March on Washington 1987

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 73

March on Sacramento 1988

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 3

1992 Year in Review 1992

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 21-34

Media and Publicity

carton 3, folder 21-25

Flyers

carton 3, folder 21

1985

carton 3, folder 22

1987

carton 3, folder 23

1988

carton 3, folder 24

1989

carton 3, folder 25

undated

carton 3, folder 26-31

Media Coverage

carton 3, folder 26

1984-1985

carton 3, folder 27

1986-1987

carton 3, folder 28

1988

carton 3, folder 29

1989

carton 3, folder 30

1990-1991

carton 3, folder 31

1995

carton 3, folder 32

Review of Media 1985

carton 3, folder 33

Communications and Press Plan 1992

carton 3, folder 34

Miscellaneous MAA Advertising and Media Criticism 1994, undated

carton 3, folder 35-37

Publications

carton 3, folder 35

Newsletters - Communications 1985

carton 3, folder 36

Action Alert 1989-1995

carton 2, folder 37

AIDSwatch 1993-199?

carton 3, folder 38

MAA Buttons & Handkerchief 1988, 1991, 1992, undated

carton 3, folder 39

Photographs 1985-1988, 1991-1992