KEEPING THEIR LOVE ALIVE:
THE GAINESVILLE AREA AIDS PROJECT
The History of HIV/AIDS
The AIDS epidemic first reached the U.S. in the early 1980s - the initial cases were identified in June 1981, as five young homosexual men were diagnosed with an unusual lung infection, aligning with what we now know as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). AIDS is the often fatal end result of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) when left untreated. By the end of the decade, more than 100,000 cases of AIDS were reported nationally, alongside more than 59,000 AIDS-related deaths.
It quickly became evident that HIV and AIDS were not only rapidly spreading diseases, but they carried incredibly high death tolls. In the late 1980s, cases of AIDS were emerging in Alachua County and the Gainesville area. An article from a 1987 print of the Independent Florida Alligator reported that in Alachua County, 16 people had contracted AIDS in the seven years prior - only three people were still alive by the time the article was published. By 1993, AIDS became the leading cause of death among people aged 25 to 44 years of age, with 3,492 deaths reported in Florida in that year alone.
Chadwick, Shari, and Michael Koretzky. “AIDS Continued.”
The Independent Florida Alligator, 2 Oct. 1987, p. 2, ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00028290/04961/images/1.
In the time that medical professionals were unable to pinpoint how and why AIDS spread (it was only in 1983 that HIV was discovered to be the cause), fear fostered misconceptions and stigmas. Because the first cases of AIDS seemed to impact primarily gay men, it was initially termed “Gay-Related Immune Deficiency” (GRID) in 1982 - this led the public to consider AIDS as a gay man’s disease. How it spread was misunderstood and many believed that it could spread through casual contact; during a time in which the gay community was already marginalized, this resulted in total isolation for many who were dying of the disease.
Before GAAP
The Gainesville Health Project
Alongside growing stigmas and a lack of research, activist groups formed across the nation in municipalities both big and small. Acting as a precursor to future AIDS advocacy groups in the area, the Gainesville Health Project was founded in the summer of 1983 by Melanie Meyer. The group’s objectives included compiling accurate information (which was often inaccessible to people living with HIV/AIDS), and raising money for AIDS patients and research. Across the 1980s, Gainesville Health Project successfully raised thousands of dollars that would go toward the group’s initiatives. Although able to raise this money, documents from the organization indicate that the Gainesville Health Project relied largely on the gay community in Gainesville - fundraising events often involved drag performances and occurred at gay and lesbian bars in the city.
Lolacono, Jeannine. “AIDS Continued.”
The Independent Florida Alligator, 2 Oct. 1987, p. 2, ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00028290/04961/images/1.
By the 1990s, research and advocacy had informed Americans that HIV and AIDS spread through shared needles and unprotected sex with an infected partner. Still, misconceptions not only persisted, but they would grow throughout the decade alongside fear of the virus. People came to understand that any demographic could get HIV/AIDS; affected women and children were now especially highlighted by the media. Rising beliefs that AIDS could be contracted by sharing a drinking glass, from a public toilet, through coughs or sneezes, and by donating blood, fueled stigma toward People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).
North Central Florida AIDS Network
North Central Florida AIDS Network (NCFAN) was established in 1986 and would persist through the 1990s as an organization dedicated to slowing the spread of AIDS in North Central Florida. They responded to the need for education and advocacy on behalf of PLWHAs by providing prevention education and risk reduction outreach, along with case management for clients living with HIV/AIDS. NCFAN served sixteen counties, including Alachua County, until the early 2000s. When the organization folded, their casework, along with the services they provided, were split among the sixteen counties and consolidated into other local AIDS advocacy groups.
A snippet from an undated document detailing NCFAN's mission alongside the many services they provided to North Central Floridians.
Randy Buel: Founder, President, and Leader
Randall Craig Buel, better known as “Randy,” was born July 12, 1949, in New York, to Robert Eli Buel and Geraldine “Jerry” Helen Mulville. When he was young, Randy and his family moved to Gainesville, Florida, where he attended and graduated from Gainesville High School. Shortly after, Randy migrated to California and enjoyed life on the west coast as a young traveler and businessman for 25 years.
Randy’s senior year picture from the Gainesville High School yearbook.
He was a graduate from the class of 1967.
Images of Randy later in his life, as displayed on his memorial quilt.
In the early 1990s, Randy returned to Gainesville in poor health after he was diagnosed with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which progressed into Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Randy valued his faith and his community and spent his later years as a staunch advocate for resources and protections for people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA). He volunteered for the North Central Florida AIDS Network (NCFAN) until he, along with several others, founded the Gainesville Area AIDS Project (GAAP) in September 1993 to provide a physical space for and address gaps in existing local programs for people with AIDS. By November 1993, GAAP was incorporated with Randy as its founding president.
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Randy's somewhat controversial letter to NCFAN board memebers detailing what NCFAN could improve on and why GAAP was formed.
Randy's somewhat controversial letter to NCFAN board memebers detailing what NCFAN could improve on and why GAAP was formed.
The following documents detail GAAP’s incorporation in November 1993.
The following documents detail GAAP’s incorporation in November 1993.
On July 9, 1997, Randall Craig Buel passed away, His contributions to the North Central Florida AIDS Network, Gainesville Area AIDS Project, and overall Gainesville community will never be forgotten. Randy was commonly referred to as the “heart of GAAP,” and its former meeting place was named “Randy’s Place” in his honor. Randy used to say, “Have fun! Get fat! Get involved! And remember… people living with AIDS are people, too!”
The following poems were made in remembrance of Randy and published in the Gainesville Area AIDS Project newsletters.
The following poems were made in remembrance of Randy and published in the Gainesville Area AIDS Project newsletters.
Several items were made and written in Randy's memory, including a deeply detailed quilt (that was likely created by his mother), along with a published poem.
The Mothers of GAAP
A column written by Sidney Curtis giving advice about telling people your HIV/AIDS status
A column written by Sidney Curtis giving advice about telling people your HIV/AIDS status
People living with HIV/AIDS were not the only ones dedicated to helping their community. Essential founding members of GAAP, known as the Mothers of GAAP, played a crucial role. These mothers had lost their children to the AIDS epidemic and witnessed their struggle firsthand. They helped to foster a welcoming environment for people living with AIDS to gather and socialize without fear of discrimination.
Key figures among the mothers of GAAP included Sidney Curtis, Eleanor Henry, and Jerry Buel. These women dedicated an incredible amount of effort into creating GAAP and organized events such as drop-in lunches and weekly meals. Without their accomplishments, there would not have been such a safe, judgment-free zone for people with AIDS to meet and learn from one another.
An article written by Sidney Curtis in GAAP's weekly newsletter. It provides information about the reality of telling other people you have tested positive for HIV.
Many of these mothers were involved in creating the AIDS quilts. Jerry Buel was one mother involved in quilting; She was the mother of Randy Buel and she worked with Northwest Baptist Church of Gainesville to help destigmatize the disease. This is just one example of the outreach that GAAP had and how Gainesville came together to support the AIDS community. GAAP created a drop-in lunch program to provide for those in the community. Eventually, the Mothers of GAAP implemented the TREE program to provide essential daily items to people living with HIV/AIDS. The TREE program still exists today.
In an interview for the Gainesville Sun, Mike Kubisek mentions mothers Sid, Irene, Betty, Jerry, Pat, Eleanor, and Kitty. All of these women are remembered as essential figures in GAAP and recognized for their support of the group.
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Sidney Curtis was involved in writing several pieces for the organization’s newsletters and articles in local newspapers. This cutout comes from the Matheson's physical collection of GAAP related information.
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A flyer from the Matheson's physical collection of GAAP related information. It recognizes the Mothers of GAAP and their importance to the organization.
GAAP Newsletters
GAAP had monthly newsletters to their members. Newsletters mentioned upcoming events and included helpful news and information. Readers of the newsletter could find inexpensive and nutritious recipes in a column titled “Cooking with Mama Sid.” Another column updated readers about any new information relating to HIV/AIDS research and treatment, this was invaluable at a time when information on HIV/AIDS was lacking. Volunteers were recognized in a column titled "Angels of the Month," which gave thanks to those who have helped GAAP.
The following columns were frequently featured in GAAP's newsletter.
The following columns were frequently featured in GAAP's newsletter.
AIDS Quilts in Gainesville
Quilts have been used to memorialize AIDS victims since the late 1980s. In 1985, San Francisco gay rights activist Cleve Jones rallied the community to force the government to recognize the devastating effects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on the queer community and intervene with treatment and resources. To do this, Jones and his friends gathered note cards, wrote down names of people killed by AIDS, and displayed the cards on an old government building. The display of white squares reminded Jones of a quilt, and he formed the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt to turn these cards into personalized memorial quilts.
On October 11, 1987, the AIDS Memorial Quilt was displayed on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The publicity from this event allowed the NAMES Project to go on a national tour and raise half a million dollars for AIDS service organizations, gaining more than 6,000 new panels from visited cities along the way.
The following are quilts that were made to honor those who passed away from AIDS in Gainesville from the late 1980s until the early 2000s.
This memorial quilt was made by Gerry Buell, mother of Randy.
Chris Curtis was Sidney Curtis' son, who passed from AIDS leading her to get involved in GAAP.
This memorial quilt was made by Gerry Buell, mother of Randy.
Several individuals in the community helped support GAAP members. Venues like the Hippodrome, UFPA, Dance Alive!, and Gainesville Community Playhouse donated free tickets to GAAP. Churches like Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and Trinity United Methodist were generous supporters who helped with food distribution and other local events. Restaurants like The Sovereign donated dinner. Many volunteers contributed to activities and dinners at Randy’s Place.
Photo credit: The Gainesville Sun
Gainesville Came Together
Other groups also helped organize auctions and memorials, such as the AIDS Holiday Auction at the Hippodrome, an event designed to share information about local resources and HIV/AIDS. The Gainesville community was essential to the operation of GAAP; donations and volunteers from the community expanded the reach of GAAP's services.
The Impact of GAAP
When the AIDS epidemic first spread to Gainesville, and for many years after, medical knowledge was hard to come by. Adding to the difficulty of a positive diagnosis was a lack of information. Former GAAP President Randy Valentine said, “There was nowhere to go, nothing to do.” PLWHAs had questions that were difficult to answer without proper organization.
Increased access to the internet would later make accessing knowledge about living with AIDS easier, but, community support was the most effective way to exchange information about living with the disease. GAAP provided information to people with common questions, such as “Where can I find a doctor?” and “What medications should I take?”
Although significant ground has been made in securing equal rights and treatment for those affected by HIV/AIDS and the LGBTQ+ community, there remains a prejudice against those in the community. GAAP provides for the practical needs of its members, but it also serves as a safe space for marginalized groups.
"There's too many times when people with this disease feel like they have to crawl in a hole and hide, that they can't function," - Ron Kohler, 1995
Reporting from The Gainesville Sun
I'm around people who understand, You're not judged here; people talk freely." - Anonymous GAAP member (2010)
The Future of GAAP
As the 2010’s marched on and GAAP’s leadership changed, it became difficult for GAAP’s volunteer-led team to keep up with the ongoing obligations and responsibilities of their organization. To streamline operations, GAAP was consolidated into the Pride Community Center of North Central Florida (PCCNCF). GAAP is now a program of the PCCNCF. The TREE program endured, ensuring that Gainesville residents still got to benefit from the program.
GAAP could not exist without community fundraising, and as long as there’s a need, GAAP arises to fill it. Today, GAAP receives food from Bread of the Mighty food bank to distribute meals and groceries to unhoused and underprivileged individuals in Gainesville. PLWHAs still receive individual treatment and community interaction; the distribution service offers a special area and faster service to those in the AIDS community. GAAP serves all those in need whilst continuing to fulfill its stated purpose.
Interview with Ty Harrison, GAAP coordinator and former president
Interview with Leslie Howell, TREE Coordinator
HIV/AIDS in Alachua County
Annual incidence rate of HIV has declined steadily over the years, but as of 2020 Florida has one of the highest rates of HIV diagnoses in the country. Incidence rates in Florida and Alachua county have risen since 2020 (although rates dropped dramatically in 2020 due to the pandemic).
In 2022, In Alachua County, the rate per 100,000 population was 13.8 compared to Florida at 20.6.
Special Thanks
This exhibit would not be possible without the support of the Alexander Grass Scholars Program. Thank you to Pride Community Center of North Central Florida and the Matheson History Museum for archival and processing work.
Thank you to Chloe Richardson and Anthony Smith for guidance.
Thank you to Ty Harrison, Leslie Howell, Ken Barger, and Randy Valentine for contributing to our research.
Interested in Learning More?
Gainesville has many resources for people living with HIV/AIDS.
References
Bennington-Castro, Joseph. “How the AIDS Quilt Allowed Millions to Memorialize the Epidemic.” History, 24 May 2021, https://www.history.com/news/aids-memorial-quilt.
Currie, Donya. “Group hopes to fill gap in AIDS care.” The Gainesville Sun, 18 Apr. 1994, https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=favorite%3AGSGBFLGS%21Gainesville%20Sun%20Collection&sort=YMD_date%3AA&maxresults=20&f=advanced&val-base-0=%E2%80%9Crandy%20buel%E2%80%9D&fld-base-0=alltext&docref=image/v2%3A14CA26D12FE70B99%40WHNPX-17C41AA82BE0B3A2%402449461-17C4162A33CD8019%400-17C4162A33CD8019%40.
Curtis, Sidney. “It’s worth mentioning Randy Buel.” The Gainesville Sun, 10 July 1997, https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=favorite%3AGSGBFLGS%21Gainesville%20Sun%20Collection&sort=YMD_date%3AA&maxresults=20&f=advanced&val-base-0=%E2%80%9Crandy%E2%80%99s%20place%E2%80%9D&fld-base-0=alltext&docref=image/v2%3A14CA26D12FE70B99%40WHNPX-17C1A10E6BFACCCE%402449848-17C18A67E87C4DD7%4012-17C18A67E87C4DD7%40.
Gainesville Area AIDS Project. Pride Community Center of North Central Florida Archive, Matheson History Museum, Gainesville, FL. June 2024.
Garrett, Julie. “AIDS patients come to ‘chew the fat.’” The Gainesville Sun, 8 Feb. 2000, p. 1D, https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3A14CA26D12FE70B99%21Gainesville%2BSun/year%3A2000%212000/mody%3A0208%210208&sort=_rank_%3AD&fld-base-0=alltext&maxresults=20&val-base-0=group%20serves%20over&docref=image%2Fv2%3A14CA26D12FE70B99%40WHNPX-17C117C41113BBB3%402451583-17C0E4534EF0B381%4030&origin=image%2Fv2%3A14CA26D12FE70B99%40WHNPX-17C117C41113BBB3%402451583-17BE90EC716C90CB%4031-17BE90EC716C90CB%40.
“Geraldine Buel.” Legacy, 27 June 2019, https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/gainesville/name/geraldine-buel-obituary?id=9506769.
“Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Diagnoses.” Florida Department of Health, https://www.flhealthcharts.gov/ChartsDashboards/rdPage.aspx?rdReport=HIVAIDS.DataViewer&cid=0471, Accessed 20 June 2024.
“Local Data: Florida.” AIDSVu, https://aidsvu.org/local-data/united-states/south/florida/, Accessed 20 June 2024.
Moore, Kimberly C. “AIDS group gives comfort, support.” The Gainesville Sun, 23 Nov. 2010, https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/local/2010/11/24/aids-group-gives-comfort-support/31783344007/.
“Obituaries: Randall Craig Buel.” The Gainesville Sun, 10 July 1997, https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=favorite%3AGSGBFLGS%21Gainesville%20Sun%20Collection&sort=YMD_date%3AA&page=1&maxresults=20&f=advanced&val-base-0=%E2%80%9Crandy%20buel%E2%80%9D&fld-base-0=alltext&docref=image/v2%3A14CA26D12FE70B99%40WHNPX-17C17519C6DF62A6%402450640-17BF8E754D3D9F2D%4020-17BF8E754D3D9F2D%40#copy.
This local history is a collaborative effort from Jehlia Andrew, Adler Cristello, Fiona Garber, Tristan Krammel, Fiorella Recchioni