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Stop Aids Project records
M1463
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Table of contents
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
Physical Location: 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.
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.
[identification of item], STOP AIDS Project records 1985-2011 (M1463). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives,
Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
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.
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.
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 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;
leather/BDSM communities; African Americans; gyms; and internet hookup sites.
2011: On November 1st, 2011, STOP AIDS Project joins the family of HIV prevention and care programs at the San Francisco AIDS
Foundation.
The STOP AIDS Project Records were processed under a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission
(NHPRC) by Laura Williams and Rebecca McNulty between October 2011 and September 2012.
The STOP AIDS Project records consist of 12 series:
Series 1. Programs 1985-2010 includes material related to STOP AIDS Project HIV prevention programs and is divided into 5
subseries: Subseries 1. Workshop/Forum/Meeting Files includes materials related to specific workshops, community forums, town
hall meetings, community presentations, discussion groups, training sessions, and focus groups. Subseries 2. Surveys consists
of anonymous surveys that were routinely conducted during street outreach as well as STOP AIDS Project meetings, workshops,
community forums, training sessions and other events. Subseries 3. Program Files documents the program planning and execution
of STOP AIDS Project programs. Files related to specific projects and groups, such as condom distribution (Condoms Now!),
QAction, Positive Force/PLUS, Chico Chats, FLIQ, Our Love, BOY+BOY and In Our Prime are included. Subseries 4. Media/Communications
Files consists of materials related to the media/communications/press activities of STOP AIDS Project, including submission
of educational and promotional material to the San Francisco Department of Public Health Material Review Board prior to use;
flyers, brochures, cards, and other promotional material; general material including press releases, magazine and newspaper
clippings, notes, proofs and related documentation; and newsletters generated by STOP AIDS Project. Subseries 5. 25th Anniversary
AIDS Memorial relates to a memorial that was created in June of 2006. Each piece of paper is an individual remembrance or
commitment to the fight against AIDS. This memorial hung at Hibernia Beach (18th and Castro) to commemorate the 25th Anniversary
of the beginning of the AIDS epidemic.
Series 2. Administration 1985-2008 documents the administrative functions of the STOP AIDS Project and is divided into 14
subseries: Subseries 1. Accounts Payable includes the STOP AIDS Project's accounts payable paperwork from 1995-2002. Subseries
2. Annual Reports contains a non-continuous run of annual reports from 1992-2006. Subseries 3. Board of Directors consists
of material related to the activities of the STOP AIDS Project Board of Directors including meeting agendas, minutes, and
mailings. Subseries 4. Conferences consists of programs, conference participant lists, reports, notes and other conference-related
material. Subseries 5. Financial Records includes reports, budgets, contracts with vendors, tax, insurance and audit documents.
Subseries 6. Fund Development documents the fundraising activities of the STOP AIDS Project, including event planning and
promotion (such as the HIV Prevention Awards, SF Garden Tour, Puckett Awards and Dining Out for Life), mail appeals, donor
development materials, meeting minutes and other fund development activities. Subseries 7. General Administrative Files consists
of general administrative files related to the STOP AIDS Project, including strategic planning, mission/goal development,
meeting minutes, general information about the STOP AIDS Project, policies and procedures and related material. Subseries
8. Grants and Contracts - City/County/State/Federal government contains records related to STOP AIDS Project grants and contracts
funded by the city, county, state and federal government (such as the Centers for Disease Control and the San Francisco Department
of Public Health) including Requests for Proposals (RFPs), funding proposals, grant announcements, grant narratives, working
files, budget documentation, invoices, status reports, correspondence, forms and other contract documentation. Subseries 9.
Grants - Private Foundations, Corporations etc. consists of research files, applications/proposals, annual reports, application
literature, correspondence and other documentation related to private grants such as those given by foundations and corporations.
Subseries 10. Human Resources contains STOP AIDS Project human resources documentation including policies, employee handbooks,
manuals, forms and job descriptions. Subseries 11. Journal Club contains material related to Journal Club meetings held periodically
at the STOP AIDS Project, in which staff would discuss current research and literature related to HIV/AIDS. Subseries 12.
Publications consists of articles, reports, lectures, presentations and speeches by SAP staff members including Sam Puckett,
Larry Bye and Dan Wohlfeiler. Subseries 13. Training Resources includes documentation related to STOP AIDS Project staff,
facilitator, group leader, outreach and volunteer training including articles, manuals, course listings and other training
materials. Subseries 14. Volunteer Services documents the volunteer services activities of STOP AIDS Project, including volunteer
orientation, training, party and retreat materials.
Series 3. Staff Files 1985-2009 consists of the work files of STOP AIDS Project staff members. Groups of material identified
during processing as belonging to those of a specific individual were each given their own subseries, resulting in 20 subseries.
Staff members represented in this series are: Subseries 1. Brian Byrdsong, Subseries 2. Bill Day, Subseries 3. Bill Folk,
Subseries 4. Steven Gibson, Subseries 5. Mark Gordon, Subseries 6. Kem Haineback, Subseries 7. Jed Herman, Subseries 8. Ken
Jones, Subseries 9. Dale Kawamura, Subseries 10. Karl Knapper, Subseries 11. Antonio Kruger, Subseries 12. Tim Leifield, Subseries
13. Paul Miller, Subseries 14. James Nguyen, Subseries 15. Roberto Ordenana, Subseries 16. Robert Perez, Subseries 17. Fred
Sonenberg, Subseries 18. Mark Utterback, Subseries 19. Jorge Vieto and Subseries 20. Dan Wohlfeiler.
Series 4. Posters circa 1980s-2000s contains 236 oversized posters produced by the STOP AIDS Project to promote its media
campaigns, events and programs, including FLIQs, Café Chats, benefits and other events. The subseries also contains posters
promoting safe sex and HIV awareness from other organizations in the United States and from around the world including a collection
of posters from Deutsche AIDS-Hilfe e.V., a German HIV prevention group, and posters from Africa promoting ARV therapy.
Series 5. Subject/Referral Files and Reference Books/Journals/Directories 1985-2000s consists of STOP AIDS Project reference
and referral material, including subject files, materials on related AIDS/HIV organizations and services and reference books,
journals and directories. This series includes two subseries: Subseries 1. Subject/Referral Files and Subseries 2. Reference
Books/Journals/Directories.
Series 6. Audiovisual Material circa 1980s-2000s contains 323 videotapes, 66 digital videotapes, and 105 audiotapes and includes
both finished video and raw footage. Video footage includes interviews, public service announcements and materials used to
produce FLIQs - topical films about sex and relationships as they relate to safe sex for gay and bisexual men (some FLIQ materials
contain sexual imagery, nudity and frank discussions of sexual activity). Audiotapes include recordings from local and national
conferences about the AIDS epidemic, community forums, interviews and programs on self-care for HIV-positive men.
Audio-visual materials are not available in original format, and must be reformatted to a digital use copy. Items that have
been digitally reformatted may be accessed in the Special Collections Reading Room. A note will accompany items that have
already been reformatted in the item-level description below.
Series 7. Artwork, Visual Aids and Other Oversized Material 1978-2000s consists of artwork (including a signed 1987 safe sex
poster by Keith Haring and oil painting by Cooper Lee Bombardier), visual aids (such as educational/presentation materials
used in STOP AIDS Project meetings and workshops) and newspapers.
Series 8. Photographic Material circa 1980s-2000s consists of photos, negatives, contact sheets and slides documenting people
and events related to the STOP AIDS project.
Series 9. Objects includes STOP AIDS Project objects/artifacts including buttons, T-Shirts and Crissy (social media campaign
on crystal meth) pouches containing Crystal Meth information and safe injection paraphernalia.
Series 10. Born-Digital Material consists of documents, graphics, spreadsheets, databases, and other material created and/or
stored on computers by the STOP AIDS Project. The digital files were forensically captured images of those stored on floppy
disks, CD-ROMs, zip disks, and other media in the STOP AIDS Project collection. 100,482 files were forensically captured from
the obsolete computer media. After filtering for duplicates, the number of actual files is 29,423. Of this number, 1,816 files
were flagged as containing privileged/restricted information such as staff/volunteer/participant information, social security
numbers and credit card numbers. 27,607 files totaling 5,925 MB are available for research. There are 582 database files,
14,459 document files, 2,869 graphics files, 79 presentations, and 1,557 spreadsheets. The materials have been screened for
private/confidential information, but have not been arranged beyond file type. This material can be made available for use
in the Special Collections reading room. Please contact the Digital Archivist to schedule an appointment.
Series 11. Restricted Material consists of material removed from the collection due to privacy and confidentiality concerns.
The title of each subseries within the Restricted Material series is identical to the title of the series or subseries the
material was removed from in the unrestricted portion of the collection. The materials in this series are restricted for 80
years from the date of creation, except Donor Files, which are restricted for 50 years from the date of creation.
Series 12. Accn. 2012-069 circa 1995-2011 consists of materials that are unprocessed but open. The listing is a box-level
inventory, aside from the Audio/Visual materials in Carton 11, which are listed to the item level. Computer media have been
removed from the accession and captured and processed with the rest of the born-digital material in the collection.
Series 13. Accn. 2012-244 consists of 22 T-shirts.
Commonly-used acronyms in collection materials:
- BDSM = Bondage and Domination, Sadism and Masochism
- CHS = Coalition for Healthy Sex
- ELI = Evaluating Local Interventions
- HERR = Health Education and Risk Reduction
- HHE = HIV Health Education
- IRRC = Individual Risk Reduction Counseling
- KOL = Key Opinion Leader
- LEAG = Leather Events Action Group
- MOU = Memorandum of Understanding
- MSM = Men who have Sex with Men
- MSW = Multiple Session Workshops
- NOC = Number of Contacts
- NVOC = New Volunteer Orientation Class (part of HERR program)
- PEG = Pre Existing Group
- PFAG = Positive Force Advisory Group
- PWP = Prevention With Positives
- R&L = Recruitment and Linkage
- SAP = STOP AIDS Project
- SFDPH = San Francisco Department of Public Health
- SNIC = Sexual Network Intervention Coordinator
- SSG = Single Session Groups
- UOS = Units of Service
- VBGO = Venue Based Group Outreach
- VBIO = Venue Based Individual Outreach
Related Archival Materials Note
The following collections contain materials related to the STOP AIDS Project:
STOP AIDS Project YouTube channel
http://www.youtube.com/user/STOPAIDSProject/videos
Finding Aid to the California Nurses Association–Golden Gate Nurses Association (CNA–GGNA) Records, 1906-1995
http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt9r29s33j
Finding Aid to the Hank M. Tavera Papers, 1952-2000
http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt238nd2mk
San Francisco LGBT Groups Ephemera Collection
http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt687036vt
Inventory of the AIDS History Project Collection
http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt6b69r1g8
Finding aid of the Finding aid of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation (SFAF) Records
http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt3f59q8qj
Finding Aid to the AIDS History Project — Ephemera Collection, 1973, 1981-2002
http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt1t1nd055
Finding Aid to the GAPA Community HIV Project (CGHP) Papers, 1989-1995
http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt4779q8r2
Guide to the Institute for Health Policy Studies - AIDS Resource Program Records
http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt6p3028nv
Milton Marks AIDS files, 1983-1992
http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt938nf7zs
STOP AIDS Project miscellany, circa 1994-2002
http://www.oac.cdlib.org/search?query=AIDS;idT=UCb162069042
Finding Aid to the AIDS Community-Based Organizations Records, 1989-1993
http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt009nc872
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Gay men -- Sexual behavior -- United States
AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention -- California -- San Francisco.
Homosexuality.
HIV-positive gay men
HIV-positive persons
HIV infections -- prevention and control
AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- United States
Transgender people
Bisexuality
Gays -- United States.
Bye, Larry L.
STOP AIDS Project
Abbott, Steven
Wohlfeiler, Dan
Puckett, Sam B.