Community mobilization around gay rights in the late 1960s and 1970s led to the first efforts to improve the health of gay
and bisexual men. In the 1980s the deadly AIDS epidemic was responded to with fierce organizing and community activism, primarily
led by gay men. Today, community involvement is crucial to many advocacy and organizing efforts for the health of gay and
bisexual men. This article begins with the roots of this history and then describes how they are reflected in a number of
key health initiatives for this community including the National Black Gay Men’s Advocacy Coalition, the Legacy Project, International
Rectal Microbicide Advocates and the Gay Men’s Health Agenda. A path forward is described in terms of next steps for advocacy
for gay men’s health and the health of gay and bisexual men of color emphasizing cultural viability, development of new leaders,
and strategic alliances.
Keywords Activism – Community organizing – Gay men’s health movement – Rectal microbicides – Vaccine preparedness – HIV/AIDS