Gay Men's Health Crisis

The organization was founded in 1981 after reports began surfacing in San Francisco and New York City that a rare form of cancer called Kaposi's Sarcoma was affecting young gay men.[1]

After the Centers for Disease Control declared the new disease an epidemic, GMHC was created when 80 men gathered in New York writer Larry Kramer's apartment discuss the issue of "gay cancer" and raise money for research. GMHC would go on to raise money for, help educate, and provide daily assistance to people with AIDS.

By 1984, the Centers for Disease Control had requested GMHC's assistance in planning public conferences on AIDS. That same year, the HIV virus was discovered by French Dr. Luc Montagnier. Within two years, GMHC was assisting heterosexual men and women, hemophiliacs, intravenous drug users, and children.

Gay Men's Health Crisis received extensive coverage in Randy Shilts' 1988 book And the Band Played On. The book described the progress of the pandemic as well as the failure of the government, especially the Reagan administration and Secretary of Health Margaret Heckler, to respond. It praised GMHC for its work.

According to the Gay Men's Health Crisis website:

"Our mission is to reduce the spread of HIV disease, help people with HIV maintain and improve their health and independence, and keep the prevention, treatment and cure of HIV an urgent national and local priority. In fulfilling this mission, we will remain true to our heritage by fighting homophobia and affirming the individual dignity of all gay men and lesbians." [2]

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