Gay AIDS Voluntarism as Political Activity

Abstract

In a number of respects, the voluntary response of New York City's sizable gay community to AIDS, through Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC), has been unique. In addition to its important advocacy and service-providing functions, the work of GMHC assumed significant polit ical dimensions that served to counter discrimination, empower the orga nization's adherents, and help preserve their sense of community in the face of a medical and social catastrophe.