Casey Adrian is Lead Student Researcher on GMHC Stories Collection

PhD student Casey Adrian was a lead student researcher on the new GMHC Stories collection at the New York Public Library. As part of a team affiliated with Binghamton University’s Human Sexualities Research Lab, Adrian collected oral histories from former members of the Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC), the world’s first HIV/AIDS service organization. The online archives are housed at gmhcstories.com.

“Through these oral history interviews, we aimed to capture the stories of those who bravely confronted an unprecedented epidemic. Most often, those working on the frontlines of the AIDS crisis were in their early twenties, had no background in social work or human services, and relied heavily on gut instincts gained from their lived experiences as members of the queer community,” said Adrian. “This project is a stark reminder of why it’s important to center community voices in our work. Who is more qualified to confront a health crisis than those who are the most affected by it?”