Kopelson, who is openly gay and HIV-positive, has been a key staff member and volunteer for numerous gay and AIDS organizations, including AIDS Foundation of Chicago. He has served on the boards of the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus and Chicago Dancer's United, an AIDS fundraising group. Other groups he has been involved with: STOP AIDS, Dance for Life, Chicago House, Bonnaventure House, AIDSCare, Open Hand Chicago, TPAN, Equality Illinois, Windy City Performing Arts, AIDS Legal Council, Names Project, AIDS Alternative Health Project, BE-HIV, LCCP, Howard Brown Health Center, Chicago GLBT Hall of Fame committee and others.