ACT UP Milwaukee.

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law. However, the researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

SCOPE AND CONTENT:  The richest sources of information in the collection are the chapter's meeting agendas and minutes, 1990-1994; newsletters, 1992-1996; and newspaper clippings, 1990-1995.  A folder of ephemera includes safe sex brochures targeted at teens, flyers for demonstrations, business cards, and other handouts.  The collection also contains material relating to ACT UP Milwaukee's function as an information clearing house for ACT UP chapters across the United States and Europe, including Belgium, Los Angeles, Minnesota, New York, Paris, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. 

Subject files relate to ACT UP Milwaukee's social and political activism, such as its protest of the Racine County police department's treatment of Dennis Hill, the Republic National Convention in 1992, and the Symposium on Future Directions in AIDS Research held in Madison, 1993. Information on many other ACT UP Milwaukee actions is found in the newsletter and newspaper clippings files.

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY: ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) formed in New York in March 1987, following a speech by activist Larry Kramer calling for civil rights style demonstrations to protest the lack of government activity on AIDS. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, ACT UP New York staged many successful actions and chapters sprang up across the United States and Europe. ACT UP forced the government to shorten the drug testing and approval process; increase funding for AIDS research, care, and education; and promoted legislation to protect the right of HIV+ individuals. It was best known for a radical activist style that had not been seen since the 1970s. Tactics included non-violent direct action such as sit-ins, lock-downs, and road blockades. The group was especially known for its eye-catching graphics and memorable slogans (e.g., SILENCE=DEATH).  

ACT UP Milwaukee's organizing meeting took place on August 18-19, 1989, when it hosted ACT UP New York and prepared for its first action. On August 25, the group demonstrated in front of the Federal Building to protest the federal and state governments' inadequate response to the AIDS epidemic. ACT UP Milwaukee described itself as "a diverse group of individuals united in anger and compassion and committed to direct action to end the AIDS crisis."  

Many of ACT UP Milwaukee's actions focused on protecting the rights of HIV+ individuals, such as Dennis Hill. In 1991, Hill was arrested on a traffic violation and spent forty-eight hours in the Racine County jail. At the time, he was suffering from the advanced stages of AIDS. Milwaukee AIDS Project (MAP) staff found Hill in a cell, lying in his own feces and vomit. He died several days later. ACT UP Milwaukee staged many protests and letter writing campaigns around the issue of Hill's treatment by Racine County police. In 1990, ACT UP Milwaukee surveyed 200 area dentists to determine if they would accept HIV+ patients. About a third said they would not. In response, the group worked with the Wisconsin Dental Association and the Marquette University School of Dentistry to improve access to dental services.

During its short existence, ACT UP Milwaukee organized around numerous other issues, including the Marlboro/Miller boycott in 1991 (the parent corporation, Philip Morris Companies, Inc. was a major contributor to Senator Jessie Helms political campaign), the Cryptosporidium outbreak in 1993 that resulted in the deaths of several HIV+ individuals, and increased funding for AIDS services and education.

During its heyday, the organization had about 25 active members. By the mid-1990s, ACT UP Milwaukee--like most ACT UP chapters across the United States and Europe--was defunct.

COLLECTION CITATION: This collection should be cited as:

ACT UP Milwaukee. Records, 1990-1996. UWM Manuscript Collection 203. University Manuscript Collection. Archives. UWM Libraries. University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

RELATED COLLECTIONS:

Cream City Foundation. Records, 1982-2001. (UWM Manuscript Collection 205)

Human Rights League for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, and Transgendered. Records, 1991-1999. (UWM Manuscript Collection 210)

Milwaukee Gay/Lesbian Cable Network. Records, 1987-1994. (UWM Manuscript Collection 206)

National Coalition of Gay Sexually Transmitted Disease Services (Milwaukee, Wis.). Records, 1979-1993. (Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 207)

ACQUISITION: Patrick Flaherty donated this collection in November 2003 (accession 2003-034). Scott Gunkel donated additional material in February 2004 (2003-062).

PROCESSING: Michael Doylen processed the collection at the Archives in November 2003.

MARC RECORD SEARCH TERMS: The following terms were used in the online bibliographic MARC record to this collection:

• ACT UP Milwaukee (Organization).
• AIDS activists--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
• AIDS (Disease)--Wisconsin.
• Gay activists--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
• Gay communities--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

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URL: http://www.uwm.edu/Libraries/arch/findaids/uwmmss203.htm
Last edited on Friday, July 23, 2004.
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