AIDS Foundation of Chicago Spring Luncheon May 2, 2011

Nationally syndicated advice columnist, writer and activist Dan Savage will serve as the keynote speaker at the inaugural Spring Luncheon of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) on Monday, May 2 at the Hilton Chicago. Savage is witty, honest, and keenly concerned about the safety of LGBTQ youth who all too often face anti-gay harassment at school and in their communities. It is this intolerance that foments cycles of depression, drug use, early sexual debut, and suicide among young people questioning their self-worth and sexuality and creates conditions for HIV to thrive.

Savage and his partner, Terry Miller, created an affirming video diary project called “It Gets Better” to support young people facing anti-gay harassment in response to reports of students taking their own lives after being bullied in school. The project is a personal way for supporters, including AFC President/CEO David Ernesto Munar, to let LGBT youth know that, yes, it does indeed get better. Safer schools, improved sexuality education, and efforts to curb homophobia are central to the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Funds raised through the Luncheon will support AFC’s grantmaking, policy, and public education programs. AFC is the largest source of private HIV/AIDS philanthropic support in the Midwest. To learn more about AFC, visit the website at: aidschicago.org.