1987
In 1987, The AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT-UP) was formed in New York City in response to government inaction during the AIDS Crisis. Numerous ACT-UP chapters were established across the nation, including one in Kansas City, founded in September 1988 by Jon Barnett and David Weeda. ACT-UP/KC organized locally to aid and fight for visibility for those living with HIV/AIDS. Much like other chapters, ACT-UP/KC employed acts of civil disobedience during demonstrations. The group also picketed and boycotted businesses that discriminated against members of the LGBTQ community.
Local activists wore these buttons to advertise slogans and activities associated with ACT-UP/KC. A few refer to Fred Phelps, the leader of the Westboro Baptist Church, who was notorious for protesting the funerals of people who died from AIDS. The buttons also showcase reappropriated images like the pink triangle, the mark Nazis gave to gay men during the Holocaust, as symbols of power for the LGBTQ community. The buttons represent LGBTQ Missourians’ fight for civil rights and their efforts in advocating for those living with HIV/AIDS.
Object Details
Categories: Civil Rights, Health, Science & Technology, Politics & Government
Date: 1987
Subject: AIDS
Contributing Institution: Kansas City Public Library
Rights: Images and texts may be reproduced without prior permission only for purposes of temporary use, private study, scholarship, or research. Those using these images and texts assume all responsibility for questions of copyright and privacy that may arise.
County: Jackson
Region: Kansas City Metro
Type: Object
Language: English
Latitude: 39.102294
Longitude: -94.583955