http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8v125bx Online items available Guide to the STOP AIDS Project records, 1985-2011M1463 Laura Williams and Rebecca McNulty, October 2012 Department of Special Collections and University Archives October 2012; updated March 2019 Green Library 557 Escondido Mall Stanford 94305-6064 [email protected] URL: http://library.stanford.edu/spc Guide to the STOP AIDS Project M1463 1 records, 1985-2011M1463 Language of Material: English Contributing Institution: Department of Special Collections and University Archives Title: STOP AIDS Project records, creator: STOP AIDS Project Identifier/Call Number: M1463 Physical Description: 373.25 Linear Feet(443 manuscript boxes; 136 record storage boxes; 9 flat boxes; 3 card boxes; 21 map folders and 10 rolls) Date (inclusive): 1985-2011 Special Collections and University Archives materials are stored offsite and must be paged 36-48 hours in advance. For more information on paging collections, see the department's website: http://library.stanford.edu/depts/spc/spc.html. Abstract: Founded in 1984 (non-profit status attained, 1985), the STOP AIDS Project is a community-based organization dedicated to the prevention of HIV transmission among gay, bisexual and transgender men in San Francisco. Throughout its history, the STOP AIDS Project has been overwhelmingly successful in meeting its goal of reducing HIV transmission rates within the San Francisco Gay community through innovative outreach and education programs. The STOP AIDS Project has also served as a model for community-based HIV/AIDS education and support, both across the nation and around the world. The STOP AIDS Project records are comprised of behavioral risk assessment surveys; social marketing campaign materials, including HIV/AIDS prevention posters and flyers; community outreach and workshop materials; volunteer training materials; correspondence; grant proposals; fund development materials; administrative records; photographs; audio and video recordings; and computer files. Access to Collection The materials are open for research use except materials in Series 11. Restricted material (boxes 86, 88, 93, 115, 174, 213, 232, 257-285, 341-364, 406, 410, 421, 443-444, 494-496, 526-542). Donor files are restricted for 50 years from the date of creation. All other restricted materials are closed for 80 years from the date of creation. Audio-visual materials (boxes AV-1 – AV-25) are not available in original format, and must be reformatted to a digital use copy. A selection of audio-visual materials have been digitally reformatted and are available for research in the Special Collections Reading Room. 187 posters were digitized during the grant period. They may be accessed via the links that accompany the poster description in Series 4. Born-digital materials have been reviewed for restricted information and are available in the Special Collections Reading Room. Please contact the Digital Archivist to view the materials. Preferred Citation [identification of item], STOP AIDS Project records 1985-2011 (M1463). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif. Acquisition Information This collection was given by the STOP AIDS Project to Stanford University, Special Collections in 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011 and 2012; accessions 2005-029, 2006-210, 2006-247, 2010-025, 2011-091, 2011-180, 2011-201, 2012-069, 2012-181 and 2012-244. Materials from accessions 2005-029, 2006-210, 2006-247, 2010-025, 2011-091, 2012-069, 2012-181 and 2012-244 were processed between October 2011 and September 2012 and are listed in this finding aid. Materials from accessions 2011-180 (125 linear feet) and digital files from accession 2011-201 (836 gigabytes) are closed until screened and processed. Publication Rights All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, California 94304-6064. Consent is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner, heir(s) or assigns. See: http://library.stanford.edu/depts/spc/pubserv/permissions.html. Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes. Historical Note Established in 1984, a year in which an estimated 8,000 gay and bisexual men became infected with HIV in San Francisco, the STOP AIDS Project works to prevent HIV transmission among all gay and bisexual men through multicultural, community-based organizing. All programs are based on established public health, community organizing and volunteer Guide to the STOP AIDS Project M1463 2 records, 1985-2011M1463 management principles, are free to participants, and are built using input from members of the populations they serve. In 1984, founders Sam Puckett and Larry Bye ran focus groups for the San Francisco Aids Foundation and realized how valuable the small group format was for informal, candid discussions about safe sex. STOP AIDS Project’s non-profit designation was secured and 1985, and the Project began in earnest as an “experiment in communication.” Puckett and Bye realized that information alone was not enough to bring about the behavior change necessary to prevent infection and that “personal contact, through meetings and face-to-face discussions would aid individuals in making more informed choices” (STOP AIDS Project informational sheet). Below is a timeline which outlines major dates in the history of the STOP AIDS Project. 1985-present: Living Room Meetings/Workshops (later called M4M meetings) present basic HIV/AIDS information, discussion on risk reduction techniques and factors contributing to risky behaviors in small, informal group settings. They are held in homes of volunteer hosts and facilitated by volunteer facilitators. 1985-present: Street outreach used as a prevention tool to disseminate information, survey community norms of sexual behavior and promote workshop attendance. During one-on-one conversations with men on the streets/clubs/bars, volunteers conduct behavioral surveys and discuss strategies for keeping them and their partners safe. Outreach teams work in neighborhoods such as the Castro, Polk and South of Market (SoMa). 1985-1987: STOP AIDS Project reaches over 30,000 men, with 7,000 people participating in 3 hour long meetings. 1987: In response to data showing that HIV transmission rates in San Francisco dropped to less than 1%, the STOP AIDS Project shuts its doors. 1987-1990: The STOP AIDS Resource Center helps sixteen other communities across the country establish their own HIV prevention programs. 1990 May: STOP AIDS Project re-opens its doors due to rising HIV transmission rates in San Francisco. 1992: A grant is awarded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which allows STOP AIDS Project to double its staff and embark on new programs to outreach bisexual men, men of color and men under 26 years old. 1994: QAction, a program targeting 25-under gay/bi/trans men is launched. QAction works to reduce HIV transmission rates and build a healthy future for young gay men of all colors through multimedia projects such as FLIQ video workshops and workshops. 1996: QAction introduces 2 new programs – Café Chats (a space for young men to informally meet and chat about issues relevant to their lives) and FLIQ (video screening and discussion – video pieces that combine interviews by QAction volunteers with local men and clips of other videos relevant to the topic of the FLIQ). 1996: Community forms - large events on single topics related to HIV prevention – are started. 1997: Condoms Now! Is created and launched to coincide with the Folsom Street Fair. The Condoms Now! program distributes free condoms at more than 100 businesses in the Castro, Haight, Mission, Polk, SoMa and Tenderloin neighborhoods. 1998: Our Love, a program by and for African American gay and bisexual men, is launched. 1998: “Working Boys” photo project documents the lives of hustlers on Polk Street. 1999: Living room meetings become M4M meetings. 1999-2000: Two programs designed specifically for HIV Positive men are introduced – Positive Force, which hosts a series of community forums and social events for HIV positive men and PLUS Seminars (Positive Living for Us) which provides newly diagnosed individuals with the latest info on treatment and support 2000: Internet outreach program starts – staff and volunteers survey and chat with men using online forums and chat rooms designed to meet sex partners. 2000: In Our Prime and Trannyfags workshops are introduced. 2002: The CDC conducts an audit of STOP AIDS Project, targeting the Project for misuse of federal funds and obscene content. They determine that the STOP AIDS Project is in compliance w Federal law and local guidelines and founded on evidence-based, sound prevention science. 2002: “HIV Is No Picnic” media campaign unveiled. 2003: STOP AIDS Project is one of 3 agencies nationwide to be awarded Grade A on the Lambda Legal World AIDS Day Report Card. 2005: In July the STOP AIDS Project unveils a new approach to HIV prevention through sexual networks (or groups of people connected to one another through sex). 6 high-risk networks are to be targeted: gay bars /clubs; commercial/public sex environments;