Twenty-three years ago, in 2003, AHF’s pride festivities raised awareness and recognized greatness when needed most by championing safer sex as sexiest and honoring a legendary activist in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Let’s take a look back on this timely era of a timeless mission.
A Quick Flashback ⏪
Leading into 2003, AHF had plenty to celebrate as the organization continued to grow:
2000: Opened the first AHF Pharmacy
2001: Expanded nationally with new locations in New York, Florida, and across California
2002: Went global by opening clinics in South Africa and Uganda
By the time Pride Month arrived in June 2003, AHF was ready to make an impact.
❤️ Marching with a Mission 🚨
That year Los Angeles County saw a “62% increase in syphilis cases among men who have sex with men” and AHF teams raised alarm bells with high-level advocacy to the LA County Board of Supervisors, as well as reached everyday people with an eye-catching parade contingent at the 20th Annual Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride Parade and the Christopher Street West Pride Parade.
Marchers from AHF and Out of the Closet teams dressed as giant red syphilis sore mascots, not-so-affectionately dubbed “Phil the Sore”, and carried signs reading “Syphilis Is Back Get Tested!” and “Stop the Sores!” to raise awareness around the urgency of the situation while still bringing levity to combat stigma.
💜Honoring the late, great activist Morris Kight 🏳️🌈
The LGBT+ rights pioneer and Christopher Street West Pride Parade co-founder Morris Kight passed in January of 2003, marking “the end of an era. Morris not only inspired events and organizations, he inspired activists through his loving nature,” said AHF’s Michael Weinstein.
During pride month in 2003, advocates and friends of Morris Kight led a ceremony to dedicate the AHF Prevention & Testing Programs Office to him, as one of the many ways his legacy was honored. The well-attended ceremony recognized the incredible contributions Morris Kight devoted to the fight against HIV/AIDS and the need to continue his legacy as the fight was not over.
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