While The Advocate honors the work of long-time lesbian activist Jean O'Leary in the current issue, 31 years ago the magazine covered the founding of the National Gay Task Force (which later added and Lesbian), where O'Leary worked as a co--executive director during its early years. In October 1973 former New York City health administrator Howard Brown jobbed with other professionals to establish a national gay advocacy organization.

"I think that the kind of gay activism that has depended on unpaid workers virtually starving can't go on forever," said Brown, NGTF's interim president at its start. He also stated at the time that hind-raising for a permanent paid staff would be difficult but that the group was "gambling that times have changed, both in terms of the foundations and the willingness of people to give."

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