Paul Popham

Paul Graham Popham
Born(1941-10-06)October 6, 1941
Emmett, Idaho, U.S.
DiedMay 7, 1987(1987-05-07) (aged 45)
Cause of deathComplications arising from AIDS
Alma materPortland State University
Known forAIDS activist, Vietnam War veteran
Military career
Allegiance United States
Service / branch United States Army
Years of service?–1969
Rank Major
Unit
Battles / warsVietnam War
Awards Bronze Star Medal

Paul Graham Popham (October 6, 1941 – May 7, 1987) was an American gay rights activist who was a founder of the Gay Men's Health Crisis and served as its president from 1981 until 1985. He also helped found and was chairman of the AIDS Action Council, a lobbying organization in Washington. He was the basis for the character of Bruce Niles in Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart, which was one of the first plays to address the HIV/AIDS crisis.