In 1979, three dermatologists, Drs. Harold Brody, Arthur Gulick and Samuel Stegman from Georgia, Michigan, and California respectively felt strongly that an organization that would allow a social outlet for gay and lesbian dermatologists was necessary to provide referral patient care and to provide support for members to meet other gay physicians in our specialty for networking purposes. After a meeting of 10 physicians at the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting in New York City in 1980 in the hotel suite of the late Dr. Samuel Stegman, the need for an organization focusing on this mission surfaced. It was especially valuable during the AIDS crisis of the mid and late 1980s when referrals to compassionate dermatologists provided better care and needed support for our patients.

The organization was originally named the Dermatology Specialists from 1980 until its incorporation as a 501(c )(3) organization in October 2011 as the GL Dermatology Association Foundation, Inc. With the exception of 1987(change of meeting time of the AAD) and 2020(the Coronavirus pandemic), this group of dermatologists, dermatology residents and their allies have networked yearly at the American Academy of Dermatology's Annual Meeting and with a smaller gathering at the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Industry support has enabled the organization to expand and include hundreds of dermatologists and their allies representing the LGBTQIA community from both the United States and internationally