Latino Commission on AIDS honors public health leaders at Cielo Gala

The Latino Commission on AIDS and the Hispanic Health Network marked their annual Cielo Gala on June 5 in New York City with awards for leaders in public health, research, telehealth, arts and culture. The event centered on HIV equity for Latine communities and highlighted ongoing pressure on prevention, care and advocacy as federal cuts threaten HIV services.

Why it matters: - The Cielo Gala spotlighted how HIV continues to hit Latine communities unevenly. - The event also framed prevention, care and stigma-free support as urgent needs, not finished work. - Donations still fund HIV testing, prevention, community mobilization, organizational capacity-building, Zero campaigns against homophobia and transphobia, and National Latino AIDS Awareness Day advocacy through the Commission’s donation site.

What happened: - The Latino Commission on AIDS, in partnership with the Hispanic Health Network, held its annual Cielo Gala on Friday, June 5, 2026, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. - The gala used the theme “Designing a World Without AIDS” and the framing “Then. Now. Next.” - The event honored leaders across public health, research, telehealth, arts and culture. - Award recipients included Dr. Helen Arteaga, Gregory A. Millett, MPH, Mario Pérez, MISTR, and Milagros Medina-Cerdeira. - Honey Valentín Gonzales, known as Honey Balenciaga, was named NextGen Cultural Ambassador.

The details: - Dr. Helen Arteaga, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services for New York City, received the Esperanza (Hope) Award for community-centered healthcare leadership and work advancing health equity for immigrant and Latine communities. - Gregory A. Millett, MPH, vice president and director of public policy at amfAR, received the Dennis deLeon Voz de Compromiso (Voice of Commitment) Award for HIV research leadership, policy innovation and advocacy on racial and ethnic disparities. - Mario Pérez, director of the Division of HIV and STD Programs for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, received the Compañero (Partner) Award for decades of HIV prevention work, community partnerships and systems-level public health improvements. - MISTR received the Pioneer Award for its telehealth model offering discreet, end-to-end HIV prevention and long-term HIV care. - Tristan Schukraft, MISTR’s CEO, accepted the award. - Milagros Medina-Cerdeira received the Creative Visionary Award for shaping culture through art and expanding Latine visibility in entertainment. - Maria Hinojosa hosted the evening. - DJ Lina Bradford provided music throughout the night. - Honey Balenciaga choreographed and presented a ballroom performance during the program. - The performance highlighted the artistry, resilience and cultural influence of the ballroom community. - The Latino Commission on AIDS said it has worked for nearly four decades to confront inequities driving HIV in Hispanic/Latine communities nationwide. - The Commission pointed to federal cuts as a threat to the healthcare infrastructure supporting thousands of people living with HIV.

Between the lines: - The gala was not only an awards night; it was also a message about succession planning in HIV advocacy. - Naming Honey Balenciaga as NextGen Cultural Ambassador signaled an effort to connect younger LGBTQ+ audiences to prevention, education, healthcare access and mental health support. - The focus on culturally responsive programs suggests the Commission sees trust, visibility and community leadership as core tools in HIV prevention. - The repeated emphasis on health equity reflects a broader push to link HIV work with immigrant rights, racial justice and access to care.

What’s next: - The Latino Commission on AIDS said it will keep building leadership pipelines, strengthening community networks and pushing public health systems to serve all communities. - The organization will continue year-round HIV testing, prevention and advocacy work through its programs and campaigns. - Supporters can still donate through the Commission’s website.