APLA Health announced it will present its inaugural Voice of Visibility Award to actress and activist Michaela Jaé Rodriguez (Pose, Loot) on Sunday, October 18, at 10:30 a.m. during the 42nd annual AIDS Walk Los Angeles, a fundraising event celebrating life, honoring those who have been lost, and taking action against HIV.
Rodriguez’s costar and advocate Joel Kim Booster will present her with the honor during the AIDS Walk opening ceremony at West Hollywood Park. The event will also feature a live performance by David Archuleta.
Registration is now open at aidswalkla.org.
As the first and oldest AIDS walk in the country, AIDS Walk Los Angeles continues its mission of raising awareness and supporting communities affected by HIV/AIDS.
APLA Health will recognize Rodriguez for her commitment to HIV/AIDS awareness and destigmatization, as well as her advocacy for the transgender community.
Rodriguez embodies this year’s APLA Health AIDS Walk theme, “Defend Care, Demand Action,” a message aimed at closing the gap between what medicine can now do and who can actually access it.
“There is still a cruel distance between what medicine can do and who actually gets to benefit from it. We know access to testing, treatment, and consistent care saves lives, yet our most marginalized communities, especially Black and Brown trans women, continue to bear a disproportionate burden,” said Rodriguez.
“Our lives cannot become negotiable when the political climate changes or when supporting us becomes inconvenient. If you stand with this community, that commitment has to remain when it is hardest. We are not disposable, and we deserve the same chance to live fully, love freely, dream boldly, and grow old.”
Craig E. Thompson, CEO of APLA Health, emphasized the importance of maintaining visibility and access to essential healthcare services.
“Michaela Jaé is a powerful voice for the community,” said Thompson. “Voices like hers keep HIV and equity in the public conversation at a time when it would be easy to look away. HIV is no longer the death sentence it once was, but that progress depends on people being able to afford testing, treatment, and ongoing care.”
Rodriguez has made history throughout her acting career. She won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama Series for Pose, becoming the first openly transgender actress to win the award.
She also became the first trans woman nominated for a Primetime Emmy in a leading acting category, also for Pose.
Her advocacy has earned additional recognition, including GLAAD’s Stephen F. Kolzak Award and being named The Advocate’s Person of the Year for her work promoting LGBTQ+ acceptance and HIV/AIDS awareness.
AIDS Walk Los Angeles 2026 Sponsors
This year’s AIDS Walk Los Angeles is supported by sponsors across several categories.
Premier Sponsor: Paul Hastings.
Grand Sponsors: ABC 7, Gilead, and Paramount.
Principal Sponsors: Anthem, City of West Hollywood, ViiV Healthcare, Latham & Watkins, and NuvemRx.
Major Sponsors: Albertsons and Starbucks.
Supporting Sponsors: City National Bank, Baldwin Hills Investors, Ltd., and The Abbey.
Event Sponsors: Amgen, Decron, Lionsgate, Eddie’s Pharmacy, KPMG, Queer Industry Night, Enterprise Mobility, Jeni’s Ice Creams, Keck Medicine of USC, and Room & Board Home Furnishings.
The 42nd annual AIDS Walk Los Angeles takes place on Sunday, October 18, 2026, with the ceremony beginning at 10:30 a.m. at West Hollywood Park.
For registration and additional information, visit aidswalkla.org.
