Act-Up Shreveport

Here is a brief history of the AIDS epidemic in Shreveport, LA-

- The first case of AIDS in Shreveport was reported in 1982, and by 1985, there were 25 cases and 13 deaths¹.
- In 1987, a group of activists formed the Shreveport chapter of ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power), a national organization that fought for the rights and dignity of people living with AIDS. They staged protests, rallies, and educational events to raise awareness and demand better treatment and prevention services².
- In 1990, the Philadelphia Center, a nonprofit organization that provides HIV testing, counseling, and support services, opened its doors in Shreveport. It is the oldest and largest HIV/AIDS service organization in the region³.
- In 1992, the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport established the Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, which includes a comprehensive HIV/AIDS clinic that offers medical care, research, and education.
- In 2015, a local documentary titled "Small Town Rage: Fighting Back in the Deep South" premiered at the North Louisiana Gay and Le***an Film Festival. The film chronicles the history and impact of ACT UP Shreveport and features interviews with former members, allies, and opponents².
- In 2018, Shreveport had the third-highest rate of new HIV diagnoses in Louisiana, with 90 cases and a rate of 16.8 per 100,000 population. The majority of the cases were among black males aged 25-34.
- In 2022, there were 4,876 PrEP users in Shreveport, a medication that can prevent HIV infection. The PrEP-to-Need Ratio, which measures the proportion of PrEP users to new HIV diagnoses, was 5.42, indicating a moderate level of unmet need for HIV prevention.

WIN! We want to thank advocates like the Louisiana Coalition of Criminalization & Health, ,and LA Reps. and Mandie Landry for sponsoring HR130, which creates a task force to study public health outcomes related to the criminalization of HIV. Today (6/2), this resolution passed the house with 88 yays and 0 nays!

No evidence asserts HIV criminalization reduces transmission. However, we do know that HIV criminalization works against public health by creating mistrust of health professionals. It deters people from testing and treatment and exacerbates an already overwhelming social stigma accompanying an HIV diagnosis. This is not the way to end the epidemic! We can and by ending HIV criminalization in Louisiana!

On this day in 1981, The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that five people in Los Angeles, California, have a rare form of pneumonia seen only in patients with weakened immune systems. It was later documented as the first recognized cases of AIDS.

https://www.poz.com/slideshow/20-essential-films-about-hiv-aids/20

20 Essential Films About HIV/AIDS A list of must-see movies about the epidemic.

Act-Up Shreveport is still here. Still demanding change. Still creating hope.

If you do one thing today, watch Small Town Rage: https://youtu.be/uDSv_p2XBnY

This is our history. 🌈

https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-health-and-wellness/fda-approves-first-injectable-hiv-prevention-drug-rcna9426?cid=sm_npd_nn_fb_ma

FDA approves first injectable HIV prevention drug The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first long-acting injectable medication for use as pre-exposure prevention, or PrEP, against HIV, the agency

POZ Magazine

Scientists have identified compounds that inhibit the reactivation of cells that are latently infected with HIV, meaning they are not replicating and producing new copies of the virus. by Ben Ryan: Journalist

'Kinder Gentler Indifference': Activists Challenge George H.W. Bush's Record On AIDS

npr.org The AIDS epidemic was a full-blown crisis during the presidency of George H.W. Bush. While his rhetoric was softer than that of his predecessor, Ronald Reagan, advocates say his actions fell short.

'George Bush, Serial Killer’: ACT UP’s Fight Against the President

Eric Sawyer, one of the original ACT UP organizers, recalls pouring his friend’s ashes on the White House lawn.

out.com

Loss and Bravery: Intimate Snapshots From the First Decade of the AIDS Crisis

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/01/health/aids-day-photography-1980s.html?fbclid=IwAR2DTBIAhsJ-UtHTRuk11JoM27W4BGSAr526feoHtb2a1xMkT32NWQdcE5w

nytimes.com Covering the tragic escalation of an epidemic

HIV Vaccine To Begin Human Trials in 2019

To Get To Live To See A Cure. Our Hope Is With scientists & brave volunteers

hivplusmag.com A promising HIV vaccine candidate demonstrated its power by neutralizing HIV strains in animals and is almost ready for human testing.

The Mercy Center, 24-hour permanent supportive housing program for formerly homeless individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Shreveport) is in need of your help! They are having a personal care and household item drive on Monday, June 25th. We will be taking donations at 2020 Centenary, Shreveport, LA 71104 or 740 Austen Pl., Shreveport, LA 71101. From 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Please feel free to contact Latoya White or Robin Fedrick if you have any further questions or concerns at (318) 221-8219.

Household Items

Dish liquid
Washing powder (high efficiency only)
Laundry Pods
Bleach
Trash bags 13 gal
Trash bags 55 gal
Toilet tissue
Paper towels
Lysol spray
Clorox Cleanup
All- purpose cleaner
Comet/Ajax
Cleaning gloves
Food gloves
Furniture polish
Light bulbs
Insect spray
Paper plates
Plastic utensils
Foil paper
Plastic wrap
Zip lock bags (all sizes)
Sheets/blanket/pillows-
Batteries
Brooms/mops/dust pan
Personal Care Items

Bath soap
Deodorant (men/women)
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Hair combs/brushes (multi-pack)
Feminine products
Lotion
Mouthwash
Razors
Personal care towels (face/body)
(Please pass along)
Thanks!!

Sad news to report Flo Selber died yesterday (Monday April 23)-the obituary will be in the paper on Wednesday-a memorial service will be held at B'Nai Zion in Shreveport this Friday at 11:00 AM and will be streamed over the B'Nai Zion website
She was an inspiration to so many people.

It is with great sadness that we announce Mrs. Flo Selber transtioned after a short illness. We are still getting more info on the arrangements. Beloved, she was a mother to a generation. Our hearts are with all that loved her during this time.

Bill Info - HB112

Hello all. ACTUP Shreveport will be working with LPA/ACLU/SPLC is organizing to stop HB 112 Representative Sherman Mack (R-95) introduced which proposes amendments to the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Article relating to blood and saliva testing of persons who allegedly may have exposed law enforcement officers to a “serious infectious disease.” The bill contains both original and amended language that does not reflect current scientific knowledge regarding disease transmission risk, and serves to entrench myths and misconceptions about infectious disease and increase related stigma.

On February 28, Representative Edmond Jordan (D-29) introduced HB 275, a bill which proposes various changes to Louisiana’s criminal statute “Intentional exposure to AIDS virus.” (LA. REV. STAT. ANN. § 14:43.5). While the bill proposes some improvements, such as requiring that someone intended to transmit in order to be prosecuted, it also has serious drawbacks, including retention of “HIV exceptionalism,” a misguided emphasis on disclosure as tool for reducing transmission, the criminalization of activities that pose no risk of HIV transmission, and severely disproportionate felony punishment. LCCH is determining how best to work with Rep. Jordan to address its concerns about HB 275. We will need your help on contacting your legislators to ask them to vote against further criminalization and stigma of those living with HIV/AIDS. If interested in being involved, even if it is to email your legislators, please PM us here on this page your name, address and email address so that I may keep you informed as this bill proceeds. Thank you! Deborah Allen https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=233304

legis.la.gov

Transgender student's photos can appear in Caddo high school yearbook

"After graduation this year, Pham said, she may attend Bossier Parish Community College with the hope of becoming a stockbroker. She said she planned to save the money needed for gender reassignment surgeries. Pham posted on a picture on her page after the meeting. Her caption: "I won the battle!!" ACTUP Shreveport is so happy Kami won her battle in the school system!

shreveporttimes.com

Sign the Petition

Kami Pham is a Southwood Senior The principal, Jeff Roberts has imposed a nonexistant dress code that will prevent Kami from participating in school photos as well as be allowed to walk with fellow seniors for graduation if she decides to wear heels or makeup. Kami is a member of the National Honor Society and the Art Club. She is very active on campus and shows school pride the same as any other student. If you are a high school student who lives in Shreveport or Bossier, we would like for you to attend a meeting with us at the Hamilton/South Caddo Branch of the Shreve Memorial Library. This is located near Ridgewood Middle School at 2111 W Bert Kouns Industrial Loop, Shreveport, LA 71118. Students (and allies) will meet there to organize to fill the school board chamber in April. in room A. The meeting will last from 4-7pm on Monday, April 2nd. Please send an email, call, or letter to Southwood High School or the Caddo Parish School Board members showing your support. Please be advised, this is a student organized event. As adults we will be allies and support as they are leading.
https://www.change.org/p/caddo-parish-stop-lgbt-discrimination-towards-students

change.org Caddo Parish: Stop LGBT+ discrimination towards students

New drug-resistant HIV strain threatening to spark fresh epidemic, scientists warn

A drug-resistant strain of the HIV virus discovered in the Philippines has the potential to spark a new epidemic, scientists have warned.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/hiv-drug-resistant-strain-philippines-asia-cure-treatment-infection-rate-rising-a8249621.html

independent.co.uk A drug-resistant strain of the HIV virus discovered in the Philippines has the potential to spark a new epidemic, scientists have warned. HIV prevalence among Filipinos has risen sharply in the past decade, at a time when infection rates across the world are beginning to decline. The United Nations....

4 lessons from ACT UP you can use against the Trump administration today

lgbtqnation.com The HIV/AIDS direct action group's bold, decisive actions helped bring about real change. So what can we learn from their tactics and how can we use it today?

We excited beyond words Story Corps contacted ACTUP Shreveport member Deborah Allen to be a community partner. ACTUP Shreveport members shared stories from the past, how living through the AIDS pandemic changed their lives forever and what each are doing today to fight injustice. Pictured here are Gary Cathy with husband Justin Normand, Deborah Allen with daughter Ashley Hazelton, Robert Darrow and Micah Harold and Buddy Williamson with his niece Alyce Scales.

Act-Up Shreveport's cover photo

N.O. Film Festival to spotlight social advocacy with 'Change Makers' programming block

Small Town Rage (USA | 2016 | 98 mins; DIR: Raydra Hall & David Hylan; PRD: Raydra Hall, David Hylan; ED: Clint McCommon) Lance Bass narrates an independent documentary examining the work and influence of ACT UP Shreveport in the conservative Deep South. During the early years of the AIDS pandemic, ACT UP Shreveport sought to change the way the government and the medical community handled the crisis through the same attention-grabbing protest tactics that were so successful in cities such as New York and San Francisco. As their individual stories will attest, their actions may not have made them popular, but their courage did lead to changes in the way local hospitals, government agencies, and even the public at large responded to the AIDS epidemic.

nola.com Films to cover topics from Confederate monument removal to coastal erosion.

www.original-cin.ca

original-cin.ca

ACTUP Shrevport represented at the Equality March Shreveport June 11, 2017 With Deborah Allen Gary Cathey Justin Normand

Scientists have eliminated HIV in mice using CRISPR

social.techcrunch.com An important breakthrough has been made in the eradication of AIDs. Scientists have found they can successfully snip out the HIV virus from mouse cells using..

If you missed earlier screenings, here is your chance to see Small Town Rage: Fighting Back in the Deep South, narrated by Lance Bass, in Shreveport. We are happy to announce STR has been selected by the North Louisiana Jewish Film Festival and will be screened four times during the festival. We want to express our sincere appreciation to the Shreveport Jewish Film Festival's film selection committee.
Join us for one of the follow showtimes:
Sunday, April 30 at 1:30 pm
Sunday, April 30 at 7:30 pm
Monday, May 1 at 3:15 pm
Wednesday, May 3 at 4:20 pm
All screenings will be held at the Robinson Film Center (617 Texas St, Shreveport). Call 318-459-4122 regarding tickets.

Small Town Rage: Fighting Back in the Deep South

Here's another chance to watch Small Town Rage in Shreveport!

The 2017 Louisiana Q***r Conference at LSU- "Small Town Rage- Fighting Back in the Deep. Deborah Allen, Gary Cathey and David Hylan explore HIV/AIDS history in Shreveport Louisiana when a group of friends formed ACTUP Shreveport and what led to their activism and civil disobedience through action. Focus was on how workshop attendees can model the behavior from this historic struggle to overcome governmental and societal challenges faced by today's Louisiana Q***r community. Presenters pictured here with of some of the attendees of this workshop presentation.

Gittings International Human Rights award at for Small Town Rage- the documentary about ACTUP-Shreveport

Act-Up Shreveport

A must watch. Shreveport leads in new infection rates of HIV. Kudos to Sam Ortiz leading the support group.

Not sure when this aired originally, it doesnt say on the episode but Viceland covered the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Louisiana, specifically Shreveport where they visit The Philadephia Center. You will need a cable or direct TV login to view it.
https://www.viceland.com/en_us/video/Deep-South/57e37e78f84e2069dd35d5ab

Deep South - Gaycation - VICELAND

Not sure when this aired originally, it doesnt say on the episode but Viceland covered the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Louisiana, specifically Shreveport where they visit The Philadephia Center. You will need a cable or direct TV login to view it.
https://www.viceland.com/en_us/video/Deep-South/57e37e78f84e2069dd35d5ab

viceland.com Ian travels through the American South to explore the LGBTQ+ experience there.

Small Town Rage: Fighting Back in the Deep South

We are extremely excited and honored to announce that Small Town Rage: Fighting Back in the Deep South has won its fourth award. qFLIXphiladelphia has awarded David W Hylan Jr. and Raydra Anderson Hall the Gittings International Human Rights Award for Small Town Rage. The award will be conferred on Sunday, March 19 at the Festival's closing night ceremony.

Robert Darrow, Alana Oldham, David W Hylan Jr., Raydra Anderson Hall, Clint McCommon, John W. Chambers, Mollie Walton Corbett, K Anton Winder, Gary Cathey, Justin Normand, Marc Spurlock, Mark Anthony Lindsey, Troy Hylan, DeDe DeSantis McClamroch, Reba Cryer, Buddy Williamson, Micah Harold, Ashley Hazelton, JL Hall, James Smith, Deborah Allen, North Louisiana Gay & Le***an Film Festival presented by P.A.C.E.

Shreveport Documentary Shown at Glasgow Film Festival

David Hylan and Raydra Hall are Shreveport filmmakers and this week they are in Glasgow, Scotland because their documentary: SMALLTOWN RAGE-Fighting Back in the Deep South was chosen among hundreds of other films to be shown at the Glasgow Film Festival. Their film tells the story of the early days of the AIDS Pandemic and the plight of those living in the South who were afflicted with HIV or AIDS. They answered some questions for Chuck Smith of Red River Radio News from Scotland.

http://redriverradio.org/post/shreveport-documentary-shown-glasgow-film-festival

redriverradio.org SMALL TOWN RAGE - David Hylan and Raydra Hall are Shreveport filmmakers and this week they are in Glasgow, Scotland because their documentary: SMALLTOWN

Death to Silence: Lessons from ACT UP to use against the Trump agenda

https://www.queerty.com/death-silence-lessons-act-use-trump-agenda-20170220

www.queerty.com Do not let this administration divide us. Let it unite us in resistance.

LEH -

The documentary, Small Town Rage- FIghting in the Deep South has been selected by the LA Endowment for the Humanities (LEH) for their Humanities Documentary of the Year Award. This honor will be celebrated in Baton Rouge on Thursday, April 13, 2017. ACTUP Shreveport wants to express our sincere appreciation to the Board of LEH and the selection committee and producers David Hylan and Raydra Hall from documenting our journey during the AIDS pandemic in a small town like Shreveport Louisiana.
Join the LEH and Master of Ceremonies, Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, for the 2017 Bright Lights Awards Dinner and Celebration presented by Entergy Louisiana at Shaw Center for the Arts on Thursday, April 13 at 6pm. Tickets begin at $150. Table sponsorships are available to interested parties. For more information, contact Jan Clifford at 504.620.2479 or clifford.org, or visit www.leh.org.
Http://www.smalltownrage.com

leh.org LEH Accepting Nominations for 2017-19 Poet Laureate February 1, 2017 The LEH is seeking nominations for Louisiana's next Poet Laureate. Read More »

Small Town Rage the documentary about ACTUP Shreveport Fighting AIDS in the Deep South will be at the Cinema on the Bayou in Lafayette Saturday January 28 at 4pm. Original ACTUP Shreveport members will have a panel discussion following.

Esquire

Shreveport had several panels at the last AIDS quilt in DC. One of them was for Chuck Selber, one of the 3 original ACTUP Shreveport organizers.

At 1.3 million square feet, the AIDS Memorial Quilt is the world's largest piece of community folk art—and one of the most powerful.

POZ Magazine

Welcome to 1988.

Ten activists were arrested near House Speaker Paul Ryan’s office in Washington, DC, on World AIDS Day, December 1. They were part of a larger group protesting funding cuts to HIV/AIDS programs.

Timeline Photos