Tidewater AIDS Community Taskforce

Founded in 1983 to meet the rising concerns of the AIDS epidemic in the Hampton Roads region, TACT took up many facets of service for helping community members suffering from the disease.

The organization was also known as the Tidewater AIDS Crisis Taskforce, to highlight the urgency for organizing community resources and education on the illness in the 1980s.

Throughout the 80s and 90s TACT routinely organized major drives and awareness efforts for the Hampton Roads community. Important also was the constant presence of TACT for awareness, information, and guidance during the peak years of the AIDS epidemic. The group routinely handled multiple calls daily related to helping people in the area. Staff highlighted how these could fluctuate greatly depending on current events.

 In addition, TACT provide counseling services for those suffering from HIV and AIDS; one of their major services was guiding individuals in accessing medical assistance services. The group helped individuals find housing, both through housing services as well as finding room and board for individuals through the organization itself.

Even through the 90s, TACT continued to grow and provide further education and resources for the region. The organization was routinely the beneficiary of funding, grants, and impactful donations that kept it not only afloat, but as a prominent source of awareness and resources in the Hampton Roads area.TACT was prominent enough to received headway in donations funding from larger national efforts in combating AIDS. A 1988 article in Our Own highlights the group receiving a $5,000 donation from the Burroughs Welcome Company of Research Triangle Park.

The organization was not without its scandals and reorganization efforts. Through the 80s and 90s the group was written on in Our Own, highlighting misuse of funds, changes in leadership, and so on.

In 1993 then director, David W. Gillooly, allegedly misappropriated $60,000 in funds for the organization, before fleeing the state. Subsequent efforts by the group were aimed at reestablishing trust in the organization, and the scandal was quickly overlooked with TACT able to maintain itself through the decade and work with the community in far reaching manner.

While TACT may have been the most well know AIDS support group in the region, it was not the only group in the Hampton Roads with considerable efforts. AIDS Housing and Education Fund, Inc. provided rooms and living arrangements for individuals suffering from the disease. While Our Own has the most references to TACT’s organization, events, and businesses throughout the 80s and 90s; the taskforce did receive mention in the Virginia Pilot throughout the 90s as well.

TACT remained active throughout the 80s,90s,2000s and into the 2010s. While the group is still listed on websites, it's existence has faded out.  Contemporary organizations in the Hampton Roads area would include the LGBT Life Center.

Sources: 

Name (Original) Tidewater AIDS Crisis Taskforce

Name (Also Known As) TACT

Date of Founded: 1983

Type of Entity: Non-profit. 

Major Keywords/Search Terms:

Nonprofit organizations--Norfolk; Gay rights--United States--History--20th century

Aids Disease; Social Services--Norfolk;