More than 140 members of the Massachusetts Getting to Zero (GTZ) Coalition gathered at Fenway Health’s 1340 Boylston Street location on Friday, December 6 to celebrate one another, honor shared achievements, and reaffirm an unwavering commitment to ending the HIV epidemic in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts GTZ Coalition is a statewide consortium working together to reduce HIV Stigma, HIV Deaths, and HIV Infections down to zero
The event was held during the week of World AIDS Day, a time to honor and remember those we have lost to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and advocate for those living with and at risk of contracting HIV and featured a social hour for guests to network and catch up with each other, a performance by Candace Persuasion paying homage to those we have lost to HIV, and a program that included moving speeches and the presentation of awards.
Dr. Gary Bailey, Program Director at the Simmons School of Social Work, delivered the Keynote address, sharing memories of his years working in the HIV/AIDS field and looking towards the work still ahead. Following his speech, Bailey received the 2024 Keynote Speaker Award in recognition of his years of unwavering dedication and transformative work that have been a guiding light in the fight to end the HIV epidemic here in Massachusetts.
Other speakers included Fenway Health CEO Jordina Shanks, Co-Chair of The Fenway Institute, Dr. Ken Mayer, and Fenway EVP of Donor Engagement and External Relations Dallas Ducar. Gary Daffin, Executive Director of the Multicultural AIDS Coalition, and Adrianna Boulin, Fenway’s Director of Racial Equity, Social Justice & Community Engagement served as event emcees.
20 organizations were presented with the Flame of HIV/AIDS Activism Award. The award is a distinguished honor bestowed upon organizations that have demonstrated unwavering commitment and made significant contributions toward ending the HIV epidemic in Massachusetts:
- AIDS Project Worcester
- Bayard Rustin Community Breakfast
- Boston EMA Ryan White Planning Council
- Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program
- Casa Esperanza
- Community Resource Initiative (CRI)
- Harvard University Center for AIDS Research (CFAR)
- HIVE, Boston Medical Center
- JRI Health
- JSI
- Manet Community Health Center
- Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQIA2S+ Youth
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Sexual Health Clinic
- Multicultural AIDS Coalition
- New England AIDS Education and Training Center
- Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts
- Project SHINE, Neighbor Health
- Project ABLE
- SPOKE Art
- Victory Programs
Represented by a vibrant glass flame, this award celebrates the organizations –and the advocates within them–who refuse to let the flame that carries the legacy and dreams of millions of HIV advocates before us flicker out.
THANK YOU to everyone who attended. We’ll be posting photos from the event on social media soon and look forward to continuing our shared work to address HIV/AIDS across the Commonwealth.