The papers are comprised of materials relating to Rodney Wilson’s efforts to establish the first LGBT History Month, to his participation in HIV vaccine trials at Saint Louis University and to his position on its community advisory board, to classroom notes from one of Wilson’s high school students, and to research conducted by Wilson. The papers are arranged into three series: AIDS Vaccine Evaluation Unit (AVEU) series, 1988-1998; LGBT History Month series, 1994-1995; and the General series, 1993-1994. The collection spans from 1988 to 1998 with the bulk of the papers dating from 1991 to 1995. The AIDS Vaccine Evaluation Unit (AVEU) series dates from 1988 to 1998 with the bulk of the materials dating from 1991 to 1994. Meeting files from the AVEU Community Advisory Board (CAB), on which Wilson served from March 1992 to February 1995, comprise the largest portion of the series. These files include agenda, minutes, notes, and documents and correspondence discussed at the meetings. The series is arranged alphabetically by topic, with Wilson’s papers relating to the AVEU and his participation in the studies appearing before the CAB meeting files. Materials concerning the AVEU and Wilson’s participation in the trials at Saint Louis University (SLU) include a confidentiality certificate and various consent forms that bear different dates but which vary only slightly in content. There is little correspondence, but two letters from the studies are significant: a 1994 letter addressing seven volunteers who contracted HIV during the study and a 1998 letter enclosing a summary of the study, which appeared in the Journal of American Medicine (B1/f.3). Additionally, the series includes general literature about HIV and AIDS along with brochures about the AVEU at SLU and three issues of its newsletter, Pioneer Progress, dating 1994 and 1996 (B1/f.4-5). Wilson served as secretary for the Community Advisory Board (CAB), and Jim Thomas was chairperson. Various members joined and left during Wilson’s time on the board. Each member of the board had to regularly sign a confidentiality statement. The first CAB monthly meeting was held on March 19, 1992. A two-page history of the SLU CAB was shared at the November 13, 1993, meeting (B2/f.4). Dr. Belsche and members of the AVEU staff attended the first meeting and explained that SLU was currently testing five of nine vaccines and explained the differences among them. He also explained the mission of the Board as follows: “to find ways to educate the community concerning the research currently being done in hopes of discovering a viable AIDS vaccine; to recruit volunteers for future AIDS vaccine trials; and to plan the next phase of vaccine studies (how the study should be designed, how recruitment should proceed, etc.)” The board’s mission was a frequent topic of discussion. The mission statement shared at the November 13, 1993, meeting delineated seven key components for the CAB, which included “examining the ethical and social implications and impact of the AVEG’s (AIDS Vaccine Evaluation Group) clinical programs” (B2/f.4). The AVEU medical staff often briefed CAB members on the trials, and discussions included scientific details. Dr. Belsche presented information from the 8th International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam (11/10/92). Wilson shared an essay he wrote about the HIV vaccine trials at the meeting on March 11, 1993 (B1/f.11). In 1994, the CAB discussed notable news regarding the trials: a letter of concern by Wilson about the tracking of volunteers in response to recent news about radiation experiments conducted after WWII (1/13/94), the first pregnant HIV positive volunteer in the St. Louis trials was to give birth (2/10/94), and national and local media reports that volunteers in the studies contracted HIV (5/31/94). The CAB also discussed the twenty-minute video produced in 1994 for the AVEU, The Volunteer Experience. On July 25, 1994, Wilson wrote a letter to the CAB with concerns about staff/volunteer relations. He explained his own interactions with AVEU staff and phone messages relating to his participation in the trials. An additional concern was the length of time between volunteers’ HIV tests. Wilson shared that on his own schedule in his current AIDS vaccine trial, there was to be sixteen months between his HIV tests. In a letter written on February 9, 1995, Wilson resigned from the CAB (B2/f.7). The CAB meeting materials reveal how SLU’s AVEU related to others around the country, which were under the National Health Institute (NIH), and efforts to coordinate the research nationwide and internationally. Along with the studies being conducted at other U.S. sites, each also established its own CAB: Vanderbilt University (Nashville), University of Rochester (NY), Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore), and the University of Washington (Seattle). National meetings were held three to four times per year for the AVUEs and the CABs. Representatives from each site attended and shared notes and documents from the national meetings. The LGBT History Month series is comprised of correspondence between Rodney Wilson and representatives of noteworthy gay and lesbian organizations and scholars. There are also notes and proposals, with drafts and updates, for the establishment of gay history month. The series is arranged chronologically, showing how the project unfolded, and dates from 1994 to 1995 with a gap from July 1994 to September 1995. Key correspondents who assisted Wilson included, among others, Kevin G. Boyer (Gerber/Hart Library and Archives), Jeffrey Merrick (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee), and Paul Varnell (Windy City Times). On June 20, 1994, the first mailing with the National Lesbian and Gay History Month letterhead was sent to interested parties. A press release dated June 24th announced “LGHM Coordinating Council Forming” (B2/f.14) There is a history month packet from October 1995 and a proclamation from St. Louis Mayor Freeman Bosley Jr. designating October as Gay and Lesbian History Month (B2/f.15). Wilson recalls that the proclamation was on display at the St. Louis Lesbian and Gay Community Center until it closed in the late 1990s and the proclamation was given to him. The General series is comprised of a binder from Wilson’s high school student, Jonathan Petry, and Wilson’s research relating to the Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis (MCC) for his article in Gateway Heritage, "'The Seed Time of Gay Rights': Rev. Carol Cureton, the Metropolitan Community Church, and Gay St. Louis, 1969-1980." The series is arranged alphabetically by topic and dates from 1993 to 1994. Wilson’s files relating to Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis (MCC) include handwritten research notes and notes on phone and in-person interviews conducted by Wilson (B3/f.1-3). He spoke with ten people, including MCC’s first pastor and founder, Carol Cureton; Jim Thomas, editor of the News-Telegraph and member of the Community Advisory Board; and LGBT activists Lisa Wagaman and Wilbur Wegener. The interview notes reveal biographical information, impressions of the gay community in the late 1970s through the 1980s and the role of MCC, and opinions on various people associated with MCC. For example, Wilbur Wegener told of being in the military during WWII and his feeling about the first pride parade in St. Louis while Thomas discussed early gay activism, Anita Bryant, and the 1979 March on Washington. The Petry student binder has been placed into three folders, in the same chronological order that was evident in the binder. He was Wilson’s student during the 1993-1994 academic year during which Wilson came out to his students. Petry saved social studies class notes, handouts, and assignments (B3/f.4-6).