A group of dedicated individuals in Guerneville form the River AIDS Support Group to help friends and loved ones who are ill and dying. The transmission modes of HIV are identified. New evidence is reported that AIDS can be spread heterosexually and before a person shows signs of being infected with the disease. The River AIDS Support Group files for non-profit status and becomes Face to Face. The first group of Face to Face volunteers is trained.
Confidential testing is adopted nationwide.
The First International AIDS conference is held in Atlanta. For the remaining four and a half years of his life he speaks out against AIDS-related discrimination. Face to Face hires its first staff member, Carol Owens, Director of Client Services. The Surgeon General urges wide-spread use of condoms and calls for AIDS education for children of all ages. The first emotional support volunteer training is conducted by Face to Face.