The AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT-UP) New York was formed in March 1987. ACT-UP San Francisco was formed a year later. ACT-UP Golden Gate separated from ACT-UP San Francisco after a contentious meeting on September 14, 1990. The focus of the new group was on treatment, research, education, and prevention issues. An all volunteer organization, much of the work was done by committees, and weekly meetings were held to discuss proposed demonstrations, educational campaigns, meeting with corporate or governmental officials, and endorsements of other organizations actions. The organization considers all of Northern California within its service area, but is primarily focused on San Francisco and its immediate environs. In 2000 or 2001 the organization changed its name to Survive AIDS.

The ACT UP/Golden Gate Statement of Purpose from a c. 1991 newcomer's packet reads: "ACT UP/GOLDEN GATE is a diverse, non-partisan group of individuals, united in anger and committed to direct action to end the AIDS crisis. We are engaged in a battle to reform the research and treatment of HIV and its associated opportunistic diseases, intensify HIV education and prevention efforts, and revolutionize the health care delivery system in this country. The HIV pandemic crosses all racial, sexual, age, cultural and class boundaries and we are committed to involving all affected communities in this fight. THE FIGHT AGAINST THE HIV PANDEMIC IS OUR HIGHEST PRIORITY."

The ACT-UP Golden Gate committees include: Coordinating Committee, State and Local Issues Committee, City Issues Committee (CHIC) [San Francisco], Fundraising Committee, Insurance and Health Access Committee, Treatment Issues Committee, Media Relations Committee, Women's Action Committee (WAC), Outreach Committee. There are also several Working Groups and Subcommittees. INS (Immigration) Working Group is independent. The Treatment Issues Committee oversees the KS Working Group, Neurology Subcommittee, Testing Issues Working Group, Count Down 18 Months, Immune Based Therapy Working Group, and the Anti-viral Subcommittee. The State Issues Committee has the AIDS Drug Program Working Group, the UC Research Subcommittee, and the FDB Working Group. Committee chairs were in charge of keeping their committee's records.