Final answer:
Gay activists responded to the government's lack of response to the AIDS crisis by creating organizations to help victims and highlight the inaction. They raised funds for research and education, and demanded more public education and resources for research.
Step-by-step explanation:
In response to the government's lack of response to the AIDS crisis in the 1980s, gay activists took several actions. They created organizations to help victims and highlight the government's inaction. These organizations, such as the Gay Men's Health Crisis and the American Foundation for AIDS Research, raised money for research and education, and provided support for those with the disease. They also demanded more public education to prevent the spread of the disease and more resources for further research.