ACT UP/NY

ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) is a diverse, non-partisan group of individuals, united in anger and committed to direct action to end the AIDS crisis.

ACT UP was formed on March 10, 1987 at the Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center (now the LGBTQ Center) in New York.

Alan Klein joined the group soon after with his then-boyfriend, author Karl Soehnlein. Both of them became prominent members of the AIDS activist organization.

My [Actions Committee] cochair was Alan Klein, a cute, funny, prematurely balding, preternaturally ballsy Jewish kid from Long Island. Alan and his equally young boyfriend, Karl Sochnlein, had met at Ithaca College and were now both core members of ACT UP. A study in contrasts, Karl was blond, bird-like, and a writer; Alan was dark-haired, puppyish, and a talker. In the cross-gender version of ACT UP-The Movie, they would be played by Shelley Long and Rhea Perlman, respectively. (And I, by Bette Midler!)

Alan and I connected on the kishka level. With little provocation, the two of us would slip into Jewish alte kaker dialect—think Mel Brooks's 2,000-year-old man, with a bissel Miami Beach, and a touch Myron Cohen.

I called him "Klein," he called me "Goldboig," and our relationship was (and remains) affectionately fraternal.

Alan had a confidence and fearlessness I admired.

We were a good team; I kept him grounded, and he pushed me beyond my comfort zone.

Excerpt from Boy With The Bullhorn; A Memoir and History of ACT UP New York by Ron Goldberg (2022, November 8), available by clicking here.

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ACT UP Videos

Below is a playlist of clips of TV news coverage of ACT UP's Target City Hall demonstration, which was held on the ACT UP's second anniversary, March 28, 1988.

There is also coverage of an ACT UP protest at the marriage license bureau, Koch on NYC's bereavement benefits policy and ACT UP meeting footage.

Visit Alan Klein’s YouTube channel directly by clicking here.

ACT UP Oral History Project

Click here for the full interview of Alan Klein by Jim Hubbard and Sarah Schulman for the ACT UP Oral History Project.

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ACT UP Photos

Alan Klein with the Bullhorn

Alan Klein on the Bullhorn at ACT UP’s Target City Hall demonstration that took place onMarch 28, 1989. Artist and ACT UP member Keith Haring can be seen in the background.

Alan Klein and Mark Allen at ACT UP Target Bush protest

Alan Klein and Mark Allen: ACT UP Target Bush action that took place in Kennebunkport, Maine on September 1, 1991. Photo ©Bill Bytsura.

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ACT UP Graphics

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Silence = Death

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AIDSGATE

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The Government Has Blood on Its Hands. One AIDS Death Every Half Hour

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He Kills Me, ACT UP poster.

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Ignorance = Fear / Silence = Death

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Target Bush crack-and-peel sticker for ACT UP action in Kennebunkport, ME.

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Target City Hall crack-and-peel sticker for ACT UP action on March 28, 1989.

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ACT UP News Clips

FDA lossens restrictions on anti-AIDS drugs

Article from Jul 24, 1988 Great Falls Tribune (Great Falls, Montana) Act up, Alan klein

ACT UP/NYC plans CD to protest Koch administration policies

Article from Mar 10, 1989 Seattle Gay News (Seattle, Washington) Act up, Alan klein

AIDS activists announce plans for massive civil disobedience

Article from Mar 3, 1989 Seattle Gay News (Seattle, Washington) Act up, Alan klein

New era for gay rights; Queer Nation pushes movement out of closet

Article from Jul 29, 1990 Daily News (New York, New York) Act up, Queer nation, Alan klein

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ACT UP Documents

ACT UP Zap Action Outline by Alan Klein

“Zap Action Outline,” by the ACT UP/NY Actions Committee, is a guide and checklist for planning successful demonstrations or protests.

“Planning An Action,” by the ACT UP/NY Actions Committee, page 1

“Planning An Action,” by the ACT UP/NY Actions Committee, page 2

“Planning An Action,” by the ACT UP/NY Actions Committee, page 3

“Planning An Action,” by the ACT UP/NY Actions Committee, page 4