National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day aims to raise awareness for this tragic disease. It is recommended that anyone between the age of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV. If you are sexually active, it is recommended that you get tested at least once a year if not more. Another important function of this day is to dispel myths of the disease, such as that people who are diagnosed are "dirty" or that it can be transmitted by skin to skin contact. In fact, recent developments have made it so that certain treatments can make it totally unable to be transmitted. This is why it is important to have open and honest conversations about this topic. Understanding this diseases helps reduce risk and increase treatment options.

National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is observed on the last Friday of September each year.

The National Association of People with AIDS launched this observance day to recognize the impact of the epidemic on gay men.