New Book by Shreveport Native Features Minden and Sibley Connections to AIDS Activism in the Deep South
A new book by Shreveport native Dr. David Hylan documenting one of the most significant yet overlooked chapters of Louisiana history is now available, with strong ties to both Minden and Sibley.
Small Town Rage: Fighting Back in the Deep South chronicles the story of ACT UP Shreveport and the activists, allies, healthcare professionals, and ordinary citizens who challenged fear, stigma, and political indifference during the AIDS crisis. Based on more than a decade of interviews, archival research, and firsthand accounts, the book expands upon the award-winning documentary Small Town Rage and preserves an important chapter of regional history.
Among those featured in the book is Sibley native Bryan Sullivan, whose advocacy and personal experiences helped shape both the movement and the story being told. His contributions provide readers with a firsthand perspective on the challenges faced by people living with HIV/AIDS in North Louisiana.
The book also has a strong Minden connection through Gary Cathey, whose story is prominently featured in Chapter 6, Silence and Exposure. The chapter examines the controversial 1992 outing of Congressman Jim McCrery and Cathey’s central role in those events. While intended to challenge political hypocrisy surrounding LGBTQ+ issues, the experience became a deeply personal and traumatic ordeal that carried lasting emotional consequences. Cathey’s reflections provide one of the book’s most compelling accounts of the personal costs of activism in the Deep South.
Cathey also serves as one of the coordinators of the book’s official launch and reunion event and has been a longtime advocate for preserving local LGBTQ+ history.
“The history of the AIDS crisis is often told through the experiences of New York and San Francisco,” said Hylan. “But important battles were also fought in places like Minden, Sibley, Shreveport, and communities throughout the South. I wanted to ensure that these stories, and the people who lived them, were not forgotten.”
The official launch and reunion event for Small Town Rage will be held Saturday, June 27, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Central Art Station in downtown Shreveport. Many of the individuals whose stories appear in the book are expected to attend.
The book features a foreword by award-winning writer and longtime HIV activist Mark S. King and is available in hardcover, paperback, and eBook formats wherever books are sold.
