40 Years of Care, Courage, & Heart
HONORING A LEGACY. ADVANCING A PROMISE.
For 40 years, our organization has walked alongside people living with and affected by HIV, meeting fear with compassion, stigma with advocacy, and uncertainty with unwavering care. As we mark this milestone, we honor a story that has quietly shaped generations: one of resilience, belonging, and the courage to keep going, even when the path forward is unclear.
WALKING THE PATH
As we mark this milestone, we reflect on the cultural and community forces that shaped our journey. Stories like The Wizard of Oz have long resonated with LGBTQ+ communities—not for their spectacle, but for their message. They remind us that belonging matters, that chosen family can save lives, and that courage is often discovered along the way.
THE FRIENDS OF DOROTHY & THE POWER OF CONNECTION
Judy Garland, whose voice and vulnerability touched generations, became a quiet symbol of hope for many navigating life on the margins. For decades, LGBTQ+ people referred to one another as “Friends of Dorothy”—a discreet expression of identity, connection, and safety rooted in shared cultural understanding. Her legacy speaks to resilience, authenticity, and the power of being seen—values that remain deeply connected to the history of the HIV movement.
HOPE GROUNDED IN ACTION
The rainbow, once a symbol of possibility, has grown into a global emblem of pride, unity, and survival. In the context of HIV, it represents not just identity, but perseverance, advocacy, and love in the face of loss and stigma.
When HIV emerged in the 1980s, communities responded where systems failed. Our organization was part of that response: grounded in action, fueled by compassion, and sustained by heart. Four decades later, that commitment has not wavered.
MOVING FORWARD WITH PURPOSE
Today, we honor those we’ve lost, celebrate how far we’ve come, and look ahead with purpose. The work continues—but so does the hope.
Care brought us here. Courage moves us forward. Heart holds us together.
Thank you for being part of our story—and the next chapter still to come.
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