Russ Centanni

Interviewed By

Lisa McClain, Boise State UniversityFollow

Biography

Dr. Russ Centanni discusses his involvement with Idaho's early HIV/AIDS response as a founding board member of the AIDS Foundation of Idaho in the mid-1980s. As a Boise State University biology professor specializing in immunology and infectious diseases (1973-2004), Centanni played a crucial role in public education efforts across southern Idaho. He details the challenges of fighting stigma, developing school curricula, and providing community outreach through churches and local establishments. The interview offers valuable insights into Idaho's medical and social response to the AIDS crisis during a pivotal historical period.

Keywords

LGBTQ+, HIV/AIDS, public health, activism, Idaho history, oral history

Interview Date

12-1-2022

Files

Interview Duration

01:18:00

City

Boise, ID

Rights Management

This material is copyrighted by Special Collections and Archives, Boise State University

Disciplines

Gender and Sexuality | History of Gender | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies | Public Health