Arthur Bell, born in 1939, was an American journalist, author, and prominent figure in the LGBT rights movement. His early career involved working in children's book publicity for major publishing houses like Viking Press and Random House. Bell was an active participant in early gay activism, co-founding the Gay Activists Alliance in New York City. He authored two books exploring the gay rights movement and a notable murder case. His journalism career began under a pseudonym before he transitioned to writing under his own name for publications like Gay Power and The Village Voice. Bell's work often delved into the social and political issues affecting the gay community, including his investigative reporting on the murders of gay men. He passed away in 1984 at the age of 44 due to complications from diabetes.

Born in Brooklyn, Arthur Bell's family relocated to Montreal during his junior high years. He returned to New York City in 1960, initially working in children's book publicity for Viking Press and later Random House. Bell was an early member of the Gay Liberation Front and a founding member of the Gay Activists Alliance in New York City, playing a significant role in the nascent gay rights movement. His activism and observations during this period informed his writing.

Bell's journalism career began with pieces published under the pseudonym "Arthur Irving" in Gay Power. Following the Stonewall riots and the first Christopher Street Liberation Day, he started writing under his own name. His debut article in The Village Voice in August 1970 marked the beginning of his tenure there. Bell also contributed to The Emerald City. He gained significant attention for his reporting on the murder of Variety reporter Addison Verrill, which led to the arrest of Paul Bateson. This investigation expanded into a series of columns on unsolved murders of gay men, influencing the film "Cruising."

Bell's columns on the murders of gay men served as inspiration for Gerald Walker's novel "Cruising," which in turn was adapted into a film by William Friedkin. Bell became a vocal critic of the film, citing a leaked screenplay that he believed negatively depicted gay people and could incite violence. He actively campaigned against the film, urging gay activists to disrupt its production and protest its exhibition. Bell died in 1984 from diabetes-related complications at the age of 44.