Rare Documents on HIV History Preserved
The Archives Project recently preserved two rare documents that shed light on the history of the AIDS crisis in Louisiana. The first was the draft of a speech delivered by James Kellogg on June 12, 1994, to Celebration ‘94, titled “Midnight in the Cathedral of Light.” The second was a report written by Dr. Michael Kaiser and Dr. Diane Manning, circa 1987, called “NO/AIDS Task Force: A Case Study in Community Health Education.” These two primary documents were the gift of Dr. Michael Kaiser. Both documents are available here on the Archives Project website.
LHA Conference Meets in Baton Rouge
The Archives Project has a presence at the Louisiana Historical Association annual conference in Baton Rouge earlier this month. Board member Robert Ticknor chaired a session and executive director Frank Perez participated in a panel discussion titled “Difficult Conversations: Navigating Controversy in a Time of Polarization.” The conference afforded the Archives Project an opportunity to share with historians and archivists from across the state the work it is doing.
Save the Date!
Louisiana Queer Arts, our 2025 programming focus, will launch at our annual Membership Meeting on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at the Dodwell House (1519 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans). The meeting will feature two exhibits showcasing the art of John Burton Harter and Barbara Scott. Scott will receive the Archives Project’s annual Stewart Butler & Alfred Doolittle Award for Contributions to Queer History. The award presentation will be followed by a panel discussion about J.B. Harter’s legacy. The Louisiana Queer Arts program will last from June 5 through June 8 and is made possible in part by a grant from the John Burton Harter Foundation.
Your Support is Needed
The need to preserve queer history is greater than ever, especially now in the face of the federal government’s full-frontal assault on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Our community is under attack and one of the strongest weapons our enemies have is the erasure of history. Examples abound: Indigenous history, Black history, Women’s History, to name a few. Historical awareness affords a community perspective and a reference point for moving forward. Knowing our history is crucial to visibility. And visibility is really what threatens those that would force us back into the closet. Your financial support is needed to maintain the work we’re doing. If you’re already supporting us, THANK YOU! If you’re not, would you please consider making a one-time or monthly recurring donation to the Archives Project? Giving is easy here.
