"I Couldn’t Just Sit Back and Do Nothing” Jerry Carden Oral History Part 1
Dublin Core
Title
"I Couldn’t Just Sit Back and Do Nothing” Jerry Carden Oral History Part 1
Subject
AIDS awareness
AIDS activism
AIDS education
Activism (LGBTQ)
Description
Part 1 of 3 of the interview with Jerry Carden, founding chair of the Gay Community AIDS Project (GCAP, now known as the Greater Community AIDS Project) speaking about his experience with AIDS activism in the Champaign-Urbana community during the 80s and 90s, providing further context to the many artifacts he brought in for digitization at the University of Illinois History Harvest.
Creator
GraceAnne Roach
Source
Jerry Carden
History Harvest 2019
Date
2019-03-06
Contributor
GraceAnne Roach
Rights
In Copyright
Relation
Format
.mp4
Language
English
Type
Moving Image
Coverage
Champaign, Illinois
Urbana , Illinois
1970s
1980s
1990s
Oral History Item Type Metadata
Original Format
.mp4
Duration
00:42:43
Interviewer
GraceAnne Roach
Interviewee
Jerry Carden
Location
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign Main Library
Time Summary
00:00:01-00:03:54 Introduction
Jerry introduces himself and the reason behind his interest in documenting the history of GCAP through the History Harvest Project.
Jerry introduces himself and the reason behind his interest in documenting the history of GCAP through the History Harvest Project.
00:03:56- 00:07:02 Jerry Moves to Champaign-Urbana
Jerry details the reasons behind his move from Missouri, where he attended college, to Champaign-Urbana in 1978.
Jerry details the reasons behind his move from Missouri, where he attended college, to Champaign-Urbana in 1978.
00:07:02-00:13:07 Queer Scene in Champaign-Urbana, Late 70s/Early 80s
Jerry talks about where gay men in his circle would hang out and meet in the late 70s and early 80s before his sobriety.
Jerry talks about where gay men in his circle would hang out and meet in the late 70s and early 80s before his sobriety.
00:13:07-00:17:39 AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) Community
Jerry speaks about his decision to get sober and connecting with the AA Community and forming an AA meeting for queer people at McKinley Presbyterian
Jerry speaks about his decision to get sober and connecting with the AA Community and forming an AA meeting for queer people at McKinley Presbyterian
00:17:40- 00:24:03 Learning About AIDS
Jerry reflects on the fearful atmosphere in the Champaign-Urbana gay community as members started to learn more about the national AIDS crisis.
Jerry reflects on the fearful atmosphere in the Champaign-Urbana gay community as members started to learn more about the national AIDS crisis.
00:24:03-00:34:15 First Cases in Champaign-Urbana
Jerry remembers some of the first cases of AIDS that popped up in the local gay community and how they prompted him and other community members to take action.
Jerry remembers some of the first cases of AIDS that popped up in the local gay community and how they prompted him and other community members to take action.
00:36:28-00:42:43
GCAP Early Education & Outreach: Jerry speaks about some of the initial outreach that the Speakers Bureau portion of GCAP did to educate the community with the latest information on AIDS.
GCAP Early Education & Outreach: Jerry speaks about some of the initial outreach that the Speakers Bureau portion of GCAP did to educate the community with the latest information on AIDS.
Collection
Citation
GraceAnne Roach, “"I Couldn’t Just Sit Back and Do Nothing” Jerry Carden Oral History Part 1,” Omeka, accessed April 18, 2025, https://historyharvest.web.illinois.edu/omeka/items/show/104.