Raising Voices through Art

AHF Honors Four Decades of HIV Advocacy through Art

Attendees explore the curated murals and AHF’s iconic campaign artwork.

AHF partnered with Branded Arts to bring art to life through "Bloom," a multi-sensory art experience that transformed physical murals into living, breathing works of art in Hollywood, California. The two-night exhibit, Activism as Art, used animation and sound to raise awareness, spark conversation, and honor AHF’s four-decade—and ongoing—fight against HIV.

Michael Weinstein, AHF President, explores the artwork at Bloom.

"Historically, art has been a vehicle, a mirror, a weapon, and at times, a catalyst for change. This event celebrated over 40 years of activism and invited visitors to join the ongoing collective love story and mission of AHF," said Rigness Rush, Director of Branding.

Inside the custom-built shipping container exhibit, attendees used their phones to activate the murals—unlocking layers of movement, color, and sound beyond the walls.

The featured murals were created by Miles Regis and Fern Espinoza, whose distinctive visual styles explored themes of selfhood, resilience, and transformation. Additional work was showcased by Heiro Veiga, Sam Kirk, Rae Senarighi, Bikismo, Antonyo Marest, and Jason Farmer, AHF’s Vice President of Marketing.

“Bloom” highlighted how creative expression can support public awareness efforts and bring important social issues into shared public spaces.

Rewriting the Rules of HIV Education in China

Peer educators share information on sexual health with students at Guangzhou Civil Aviation College.

Between September and December 2025, AHF China engaged more than 7,000 university students through innovative, youth-driven HIV education—using game booths, skits and theater, competitions, and online outreach to move beyond traditional health messaging.

Using interactive and youth-friendly approaches, the campaign increased student participation and helped normalize conversations around HIV and sexual health on campuses, while training more than 300 students as peer educators to serve as trusted messengers within their universities.

This focus is critical, as approximately 3,000 new HIV infections are reported each year among young students in China, with unprotected sexual intercourse as the primary transmission route and over 80% of cases occurring through male-to-male sexual contact.

A self-test kit dispenser at Guangzhou Civil Aviation College.

Education was paired with access to prevention services, resulting in the distribution of 3,459 condoms and 423 HIV self-test kits, while several campuses piloted tools such as condom and self-test kit dispensers, and anonymous consultation services.

AHF China officially launched its program in January 2006 and now serves more than 100,000 clients.

Dao Hong Ngoc: A Future She Chose

VIETNAM

Dao Hong Ngoc is a Girls Act Vietnam leader. Her story is next in our "I Am AHF" series featuring remarkable staff, clients, and partners who are doing what's right to save lives everyday.

"I have chosen to embrace life, pursue my dreams, and share knowledge so that other girls can protect their sexual and reproductive health," said Dao.

My name is Dao Hong Ngoc, and I come from Phu Tho — a mountainous province in the north of Vietnam. Today, I am a university student, a peer educator, and a girl who has chosen hope over fear. But my story began with pain and confusion.

When I was small, I was often sick, but my parents told me it was because I ate too little. I never understood why other parents didn’t want their children to play with me. I only learned the truth in middle school, when classmates teased me about having HIV. My parents finally explained that I was born with HIV. The news broke me. I felt ashamed, isolated, and even thought of leaving school, afraid of being judged. Though my parents encouraged me, fear had already taken hold of my heart.

Everything changed in 2020 when the health staff at the ART clinic where I received my medicine introduced me to the Girls Act program, an initiative by AHF Vietnam that empowers young women and girls through education, confidence, and knowledge. This was the first time I entered a safe space where girls like me could gather, share, and learn without judgment. The Girls Act program supported me with school supplies, transportation to school and the clinic, and—most importantly—understanding. I began to see myself not as a victim, but as a girl with dreams worth fighting for.

A National Night of Testing in Argentina

AHF Argentina's Night of Testing on Avenida Corrientes in Buenos Aires.

In what has become an annual tradition, AHF Argentina recently tested 300 people for HIV and syphilis in one night across six cities. The event is called the Night of Testing and was first launched by AHF Argentina in 2018.

In addition to free rapid HIV and syphilis testing, participants across Buenos Aires, Jujuy, Santiago del Estero, La Rioja, Corrientes, and Formosa received counseling, condoms, and sexual health education sessions. The campaign emphasizes that community-centered care is key to reducing late diagnoses of HIV and for expanding pathways to prevention and treatment.

“At a time when national funding for HIV and STI programs is insufficient, the Night of Testing is more critical than ever. Bringing testing directly into public spaces allows us to meet people where they are," said Cecilia Rodríguez, AHF Argentina's Advocacy Manager.

"Being on Avenida Corrientes in Buenos Aires was strategic—thousands of people passed through, and many left feeling calm, supported, and grateful to access testing in an accessible and stigma-free space,” she added.

Watch the recap video to relive AHF's Night of Testing.

AHF Argentina began its operations in 2012 and now serves more than 60,000 clients.

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