A crowd of 15,000 walked, ran and sashayed through Central Park for the annual AIDS Walk New York, raising more than $4 million for Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) and other local HIV/AIDS service organizations.
TV stars, Broadway belters and local lawmakers rallied and entertained attendees from the stage during the opening ceremony and post-walk show. According to a GMHC press release, celebs at the podium included: Ryan Jamaal Swain, MJ Rodriguez and Billy Porter of Pose; Shangela, Ginger Minj, Milk, Chi Chi DeVayne and Cristal DeMure of RuPaul’s Drag Race; Andrea Navedo of Jane the Virgin; Nico Tortorella of Younger; Selenis Leyva and Dale Soules of Orange Is the New Black; Frenchie Davis of The Voice; comedian Margaret Cho; Miss Universe Catriona Gray; Broadway stars Bonnie Milligan and Brian Stokes Mitchell; and local politicians Kirsten Gillibrand, Jerrold Nadler, Richard N. Gottfried and David Weprin.
“As we enter the presidential election season, we need to stay focused on how to elevate the issue of ending HIV and AIDS at all levels of government—and hold candidates and elected officials accountable for working with us toward our shared goal of ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic,” said GMHC CEO Kelsey Louie, in the GMHC press release. “There are still nearly 40,000 new HIV infections across the United States every year, and ending the epidemic is going to require, above all, collaboration. The 15,000 people who came together today in Central Park not only raised money to help GMHC continue its vital work but also sent a powerful message of solidarity to our leaders.”
“With record low numbers of new HIV infections, New York City and New York state continue to make tremendous strides toward ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic—thanks in large part to the impact of AIDS Walk New York over more than three decades,” added Craig R. Miller, founder and senior organizer of the AIDS Walk. “However, people living with HIV and other chronic conditions continue to face threats to lifesaving health care as well as face a national climate that is hostile to at-risk populations. The $4,001,132 raised today, along with the community support, show that we’re not backing down from our important work.”
This year’s main sponsors included Delta Airlines, Gilead Sciences and ViiV Healthcare.
Since it launched in 1986, AIDS Walk New York as raised nearly $160 million for GMHC and other HIV/AIDS service organizations in the tri-state area.
View this post on InstagramKeith Haring balloon at AIDS Walk New York #aidswalkny #aidswalk #endaids #hivawareness #keithharing
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