The gay community has been hit hard by the AIDS epidemic in the United States and in much of Europe; as a result, the gay and lesbian community has been forced to examine existing notions of what it means to be gay and to belong to a community based on sexual orientation. This book explores gay and lesbian sexual behaviour, personal identity and community membership from diverse perspectives. Chapters report the authors' own AIDS-related research and include discussions of AIDS in both large urban centres, such as New York and San Francisco, and in less populated settings outside the AIDS epicentres. Contributors also examine issues related to public policy, volunteerism and long-term survival.

Preface - Gregory M Herek HIV and the Gay Male Community - Neal King

One Clinician's Reflections over the Years Lesbians at Risk for HIV - Cynthia A Gomez

The Unresolved Debate HIV/AIDS Prevention and the Impact of Attitudes towards Homosexuality and Bisexuality - Theo G M Sandfort Identity and Community among Gay and Bisexual Men in the AIDS Era - Gregory M Herek and Eric K Glunt

Preliminary Findings from the Sacramento Men's Health Study AIDS-Related Risks and Same-Sex Behaviors among African American Men - John L Peterson The Sexual Identity and Behavior of Puerto Rican Men Who Have Sex with Men - Alex Carballo-Dieguez AIDS Risk, Dual Identity and Community Response among Gay Asian and Pacific Islander Men in San Francisco - Kyung-Hee Choi et al Psychosocial Stressors in a Panel of New York City Gay Men during the AIDS Epidemic - Laura Dean

1985 to 1991 Coming Out as Lesbian and Gay in the Era of AIDS - Mary Jane Rotheram-Borus, Joyce Hunter and Margaret Rosario Long-Term Survival with AIDS and the Role of Community - Robert H Remien and Judith G Rabkin AIDS Volunteerism - Allen M Omoto and A Lauren Crain

Lesbian and Gay Community-Based Responses to HIV The Importance of HIV Prevention Programming to the Lesbian and Gay Community - William A Bailey