For the first time since 1988, the United States Federal Government will not formally commemorate World AIDS Day. This day is not symbolic; it is essential. It is a collective act of remembrance, acknowledgment, and commitment. It honors the millions of lives lost, the communities forever changed, and the ongoing fight for equity, healthcare access, and dignity for all people living with HIV. At Victory Programs and the Boston Living Center (BLC), this day carries profound meaning. What began in 1989 as a small gathering of men seeking connection during the height of the epidemic has grown into a community where thousands have found refuge and connection. Decades later, the BLC remains steadfast in that mission. Today, we pause to reflect on the past, stand with those living with HIV, and recognize the advocates, caregivers, and loved ones who continue to push for justice. World AIDS Day deserves to be seen and acknowledged because the fight is not over, and remembrance fuels the path forward. We remember. We honor. We continue the fight together.❤️
The year is 1989. The HIV/AIDS epidemic is in full swing, and those afflicted with it have been pushed to the margins of our society, ostracized, isolated, and neglected. In the face of this injustice, a few men in Boston started to gather for dinner once a week to connect, share their experiences, and find community over a hot meal. This small gathering would eventually blossom into the Boston Living Center. Over the years, thousands of individuals living with HIV in Massachusetts passed through our doors to experience refuge, connection, and community while enjoying a hot meal. Flash forward to 2025, the Boston Living Center and Victory Programs serve that same function, but with a renewed vision for our contemporary challenges. Today, we recognize World AIDS Day, a day where we remember, honor, and mourn all those who died from this pandemic and all those who continue to fight tirelessly to end it.