Joe Ferrari

Background: Joe is a 29 year old, white, Italian/Irish gay man from Wantagh, Long Island. Joe lived in Connecticut for a while, then moved into the city. As a young adult he started going out to clubs in the city (like The Saint, Paradise Garage, Pyramid Club, and Danceteria), and slowly came out. He came to ACT UP in 1987 after one of his good friends learned he was HIV-positive. He lives with his partner Lee Schy (who is also in ACT UP) in an apartment at 51 West 19th Street.

Role in ACT UP: Joe got involved in the Actions Committee quickly after starting to come to ACT UP.

Groups/friends at the meeting: The other people on the Actions Committee; Lee Schy (partner)

Specific tasks at the March 13, 1989 meeting: Joe and Victor Mendolia will speak to the Floor as part of the City Hall Report to try to get people to help with wheat-pasting. They will ask people meet to meet them at the side of the room to arrange the logistics (dates/times/neighborhoods/who will go out together/watch out for police). 

Additional information: https://actuporalhistory.org/numerical-interviews/126-joe-ferrari