Scope and arrangement
The James Wentzy papers date from 1987 to 2008 (bulk dates 1990s), and reflect the continuing work of AIDS activist James Wentzy to document ACT UP's advocacy on behalf of those individuals with HIV/AIDS through correspondence, clippings, flyers, pamphlets, posters, reports and video recordings.
The collection is mostly representative of ACT UP's activism during the 1990s, mainly in New York City. What emerges from Wentzy's research files is the portrait of an individual deeply committed to the ACT UP objectives to bring awareness to the general public on the critical importance of finding a cure for AIDS; end discrimination against lesbians, gays, and others with HIV/AIDS; and to demand that politicians act in a responsible and effective manner to support funding for AIDS research.
The correspondence files, arranged by subject, often hold multiple topics under a single heading. Information about ACT UP's committees or sub-groups may be located under its name filed under a subject(s). The files include information on the Board of Education sex education program in New York City; the United States policy for Haitians held in Guantanamo; needle exchange programs; housing for the homeless with HIV/AIDS; clean drinking water; universal health care; the International Conference on AIDS in Amsterdam in 1992; ending travel restrictions against people with HIV/AIDS; the effectiveness of the Division of AID Services (renamed HIV/AID Services) under the administration of Mayor Giuliani; and women with AIDS.
The globalization of AIDS is represented to a much smaller extent and consists of information on the international conferences regarding the AIDS crisis, ACT UP effectiveness abroad, and Germany's treatment of its populace with HIV/AIDS.
Wentzy's work as a documentary filmmaker is evident in the film festival catalogues that include the Internationale Filmfestspiele in Berlin, the New York Lesbian & Gay Experimental Film/Video Festival, San Francisco Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, and the Tokyo International Lesbian & Gay Film & Video Festival.
The videos document ACT UP events including ACT UP demonstrations, New York City government meetings and hearings, and other ACT UP activities.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged as follows: Correspondence, Film Festival Catalogs, Posters, and Certificates, and Ephemera.