I love the ideas that have been suggested already so I can't really add anything, but I'll be following this thread with interest. I volunteer my time each year at an AIDS fundraiser, and have lately been considering donating a quilt to the silent auction connected with it. While it's not strictly an "AIDS in the gay community" event, it does have a pretty deep connection there so I think rainbow-themed quilts would do nicely in the auction.
As part of this event we get a few sections of the AIDS Memorial Quilt to put on display. They are beautiful and moving and made with such complete, heart-shattering love from the survivors of each person. I can't look at them until the event is over, because I completely lose it, every.single.time.