The first French association, Vaincre le sida, was created by homosexual activists in 1983. In 1984, the sociologist Daniel Defert, following the death of his companion Michel Foucault, took the initiative to found an association linked to the fight against AIDS.
In 1983, a French group called Vaincre le sida was founded by homosexual activists.  Following the death of his companion, Michel Foucault, in 1984, sociologist Daniel Defert established an organization focused on fighting AIDS.