May 9, 2025 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

35th Anniversary for AIDS Walk Los Angeles

This week 35 years ago in history, actor Rock Hudson publicly announced that he had AIDS. He was one of the first mainstream celebrities to be diagnosed with the disease. Then, three days later on July 28, 1985, Walk Los Angeles held its first event, hoping to raise $100,000.  

The news of Hudson’s diagnosis shook the HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ+ communities in Los Angeles but also surged a tide of 4,500 walkers to participate in the first AIDS Walk Los Angeles at Paramount Studios in Hollywood. The walk surpassed its goal, raising $673,000 and ignited a movement to eradicate the disease. Yet, today, the need to eradicate HIV/AIDS is still as prevalent as ever. 

This year, AIDS Walk Los Angeles will be held on October 20 at Grand Park in Downtown Los Angeles. Individuals and Teams can register at no cost and fundraise on a newly launched website (aidswalkla.org). AIDS Walk Los Angeles is the pioneer fundraising walk that raises vital funds and builds support and awareness of the continuing need to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic. 

“AIDS Walk Los Angeles is the premiere HIV/AIDS event to organize community, educate, bring awareness and work to end an epidemic,” said Craig Thompson, CEO, APLA Health. “We’ve made major strides in improving the health and quality of life for people living with HIV, but the disease has yet to be eradicated and our work continues. Our ask for this year’s walk is simple: Walk with us, talk with us, and share your experience.”

This year’s AIDS Walk Los Angeles is the first to be managed in house by APLA Health, which has been the beneficiary of the walk since its inception. The theme for the 2019 event is “AIDS Has Met Its March,” which calls upon participants to continue the fight in our efforts to make AIDS history. The walk is approximately four miles and starts and ends at the steps of L.A. City Hall and takes about two hours to complete. The morning kicks off with an aerobic warm-up, followed by opening ceremonies featuring celebrities, musical performances, and HIV/AIDS activists and leaders. A post-walk celebration congratulates walkers, volunteers and supporters.

Each year AIDS Walk Los Angeles opens registration during Pride Month – when LGBTQ+ communities and supporters stand together to celebrate and advocate for inclusiveness and civil rights. Since 1985, hundreds of thousands of walkers and supporters have raised over $88 million in the fight against HIV/AIDS. These funds are a vital lifeline that sustains APLA Health as well as other HIV/AIDS health and support organization beneficiaries.

“The HIV health services and support programs, HIV prevention programs, and advocacy we offer to the thousands of men, women, and families affected by the disease in Los Angeles County are still as relevant today as they were when we opened our doors to help our first five clients in 1983,” said Thompson. “In 2017, the CDC reported that African-American and Latinx gay or bisexual men accounted for a higher proportion of new HIV diagnosis and people living with HIV compared to other races. In 2018, the CDC reported an uptick in HIV infections in millennials. Because of these statistics, we continue to walk to educate, provide care, and support for all of our communities. Funds raised allow us to offer critical services that include primary medical care, HIV specialty care, dental and behavioral health care, as well as food, housing support and more.”

To register for AIDS Walk Los Angeles or for more information, please visit: www.aidswalkla.org

Related Posts

Laughter Heals: Sober & Standing (Up!) Returns to El Rey Theatre for Mental Health Month

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

Comedians in Recovery Take the Stage to Raise Funds for Phoenix House California Laughter will once again echo through the...

Lil Nas X Pulls Out of OUTLOUD at WeHo Pride Due to Health Concerns

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Rising Star Steps in to Headline as Lil Nas X Recovers Lil Nas X has canceled his headlining performance at...

Santa Monica’s Own Takes Home Top Beer Honors with a World-Class Brew

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Basil, Citrus, and Craftsmanship: See Which Local Brewery Just Won Big Santa Monica Brew Works (SMBW) just took home a...

World Premiere of ‘The Enemy of Oz’ Spotlights Blind Performers and Powerful Themes

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

ArtsUP! LA Debuts Visually Impaired Cast in Powerful Oz-Inspired Performance In a dynamic reimagining of L. Frank Baum’s iconic universe,...

LAPD and BHPD Alert Public to Rise in Distraction Thefts Targeting Elderly Across Los Angeles

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Suspects Using Sleight-of-Hand and Fake Jewelry to Rob Unsuspecting Seniors Los Angeles and Beverly Hills Police Departments are sounding the...

DA Files Felony Stalking Charges After Bel-Air Gate Crash at Jennifer Aniston’s Home

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Judge Orders Mental Evaluation for Man Who Drove Into the Actress’ Property Criminal charges have been filed against a Mississippi...

Shore Hotel: Your Destination for Local Events, Celebrations

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Cinco de Mayo, Pride Month and More Parties This Summer Shore Hotel, a luxury hotel nestled in the heart of...

(Video) Petitgrain Boulangerie’s Party For Its One Year Anniversary

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

We got the gifts with a DJ, free cookies, croissants and affogatos. Congratulations to the co-owners Clémence de Lutz and...

(Video) Socalo’s Cinco de Mayo Celebration

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Co-Owner Susan Feniger Offers Diners Chapulines While Co-Owner Mary Sue Milliken works behind the scenes. Chef Makes Tlayudas on the...

“Forte dei Marmi Fridays” Brings Italian Elegance and Fresh Seafood to Brentwood

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

New Lunch and Dinner Series Features Traditional Italian Dishes from Tuscany There is a new weekly dining experience bringing the...

Meet the Man Behind the Burritos: Severiano Gonzalez Marks Four Decades at Tito’s Tacos

May 7, 2025

May 7, 2025

One Man’s Dedication, Four Decades of Flavor: Tito’s Senior Cook Speaks By Dolores Quintana Severiano Gonzalez is the senior cook...

Tyla Teams Up with Erewhon for Limited-Edition “Bliss” Smoothie Benefiting Girls’ Education

May 7, 2025

May 7, 2025

Tyla’s Smoothie Is Here. Blissfully Bright, Nutrient-Packed, and for a Good Cause Erewhon has teamed up with Grammy-winning musician Tyla...

Here’s Looking At You to Close Permanently on June 13 After Nearly 10 Years of Culinary Impact in L.A.

May 7, 2025

May 7, 2025

Beloved restaurant bids farewell with heartfelt message from co-founder Lien Ta After nearly ten years of culinary creativity and community,...

Former Security Guard Charged With Murder in Deadly Spartan College Shooting

May 7, 2025

May 7, 2025

Inglewood College Tragedy: Gun Violence Leaves One Dead, One Critically Injured Jesse Figueroa, a former security guard, faces multiple felony...

Supreme Court Decision Greenlights Trump-Era Ban on Transgender Military Service

May 7, 2025

May 7, 2025

Ruling Lifts Nationwide Injunction, Allowing Pentagon to Discharge Trans Troops The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday cleared the way for...