New Yorkers laced up their sneakers for a good cause Sunday — AIDS Walk New York. The walk to destigmatize HIV and AIDS has been taking place in Central Park for nearly 40 years.

Organizers say their goal is also to normalize the conversation around those living with the diagnosis.

What You Need To Know

  • New Yorkers have been putting on a united front at AIDS Walk New York in Central Park for nearly four decades

  • The goal of the walk is to destigmatize HIV and AIDS, and normalize the conversation around those living with the diagnosis
  • Event organizers say this year fundraising is critical because the Gay Men’s Health Crisis — the nonprofit organization behind the walk — is set to lose more than $1M in funding for key programs, in the proposed upcoming city budget

  • AIDS Walk New York said thousands turned out Sunday, raising around $1.87M this year

“So many people are afraid of talking about HIV, and even saying the word HIV,” Aliia Reyes, a volunteer at AIDS Walk New York, said. “But I don’t think we should be afraid of it. I think the more we talk about it, the more people can understand what this disease is, and actually protect themselves from getting it.”

Reyes said she has friends who are living with the disease.

The event also offers free HIV testing. There are more than 132,000 New Yorkers living with HIV, according to the latest city data.

Advocates want to raise awareness about how stigma can create barriers for people who want to seek out HIV testing, treatment or care.

“AIDS is still here, it’s not going anywhere, HIV, people are still getting infected,” AIDS walk participant Jade Peters said. “I know people that are living 35 years with this disease, that are walking and talking, and you would never know.”

Peters, 72, said she had friends back in the 1980s, during the height of the AIDS crisis, who were impacted and died.

Event organizers say this year fundraising is critical because the Gay Men’s Health Crisis — the nonprofit organization behind the walk — is set to lose more than $1M in funding for key programs, in the proposed upcoming city budget.

“HIV concentrates among populations in our city, primarily low-income people of color, who are facing so many other issues. So to get them to be able to focus on their health and HIV, we have to make sure that they have housing, they have meals, they have access to health care,” Jason Cianciotto, vice president of policy and external affairs at GMHC, said.

City Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan testified at City Hall last week about potential cuts to HIV and AIDS programs.

“Although we were spared significant budget cuts, we have seen concerning policy shifts in areas that were once widely supported, including the global fight against HIV-AIDS,” Dr. Vasan said.

Meanwhile, for those who have family or friends living with HIV and AIDS, Sunday’s event is a reminder about the need to find a cure for those in New York and beyond.

“I’m from Honduras, and in my country, the AIDS is always in a stigma,” Ever Vonilla, a first-time walker, said. “It’s very important for me as a Honduran, an immigrant, and Latino, to be here, and support my community, and be the voice for the ones who cannot speak.”

AIDS Walk New York organizers said thousands turned out Sunday, raising around $1.87M this year.

In addition to the walk through Central Park, the event also included a Vogue performance, an Indian dance party and a four-mile run.