Media Contact:
Joe Hui
Director of Communications
jhui@aplahealth.org
213.201.1342
5.22.2021
Today, APLA Health released the following statement on Harvey Milk Day.
Today we honor the life and legacy of LGBTQ+ activist Harvey Milk, the first openly gay politician in California. As a supervisor, Milk spearheaded a bill to ban discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations based on sexual orientation. He was also instrumental in defeating California’s Proposition 6 ballot initiative, which sought to ban gay teachers and anyone supporting gay rights from working in California schools.
“Harvey Milk was a fearless leader and fighter against LGBTQ+ discrimination. Harvey would be proud of the revolution he helped create in San Francisco, which led to further LGBTQ+ rights and AIDS activism across the country,” said Craig E. Thompson, CEO of APLA Health. “Even in our darkest days, we can still see Harvey’s spark 43 years after his life was tragically cut short. APLA Health is proud to continue his work, expanding healthcare and protecting the rights of systemically ignored groups, including our trans folkx and Black, Brown and Asian communities.”
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APLA Health (formerly AIDS Project Los Angeles) restores dignity and trust within underserved communities by providing world-class LGBTQ+ empowering healthcare, HIV specialty care, food, housing, and other essential support services. Since our founding in 1983, APLA Health has remained steadfast in our commitment to ending the HIV epidemic in our lifetime. We operate eight Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) locations in Los Angeles County, serving more than 19,000 people annually, regardless of ability to pay. Our list of comprehensive services includes LGBTQ+ primary care, dental care, behavioral healthcare, HIV specialty care, and Out Here Sexual Health services (PrEP, STD screening & treatment, DoxyPEP, and PEP). For people with HIV, our wraparound support services include housing assistance through the Alliance for Housing & Healing and nutritional support via the Vance North Necessities of Life Program, the largest food pantry in the United States for people with HIV, distributing over 800,000 meals annually. APLA Health’s annual fundraisers include AIDS Walk LA — the world's first and oldest AIDS Walk — and Best in Drag Show. We are leaders in advocating for policy and legislation at the local, state and Federal levels that positively impact the LGBTQ+ and HIV communities. For more information, visit aplahealth.org.
