LEXINGTON, Ky. — Advocating for access to HIV testing and care along with fighting stigma is the mission of AVOL Kentucky. Today the organization held its 30th Annual Lexington AIDS Walk to bring awareness about its mission.

What You Need To Know

  •  AVOL Kentucky held its 30th Annual Lexington AIDS Walk in the downtown area.

  •  The hope for those who attended was to bring more awareness about testing and treatment for HIV and to end stigma.

  •  Prior to the walk starting, there was a health fair, entertainment, and there were speakers.

  • The organization conducts HIV testing and has resources to help those who are HIV-positive.

AVOL Kentucky’s executive director, Jon Parker, has been with the organization for eight years but has been an advocate for the cause for over 30 years.

“Every year we take to the streets to spread the word and really bring attention to the issues and try to bring new supporters on board,” said Parker. “We just really want today to be not only fun, but meaningful and kind of remember where we’ve been in 30 years.”

Today’s event started with a health fair, which was the first time the organization has done that since the walks began in 1993.

“We actually have 15 agencies here today representing various elements of health care and they’re all small nonprofits who do that type of health care work that really a lot of people don’t know about,” said Parker.

AVOL Kentucky took a van to conduct HIV testing at the event. There were also several performances that included drag entertainers.

State Rep. Pamela Stevenson (D-Louisville) was this year’s keynote speaker. She talked about how events like the one held today bring people together, and that it is especially important for marginalized communities to be part of that.

“Somebody’s always on the bottom, but what if the people that come on the bottom came together and marched in the same direction?” said Stevenson. “What if we put our resources together so that when whoever is on the bottom, that they dictate, we all came to their aid and said, ‘Not on my watch.’”

Treatment for HIV has come a long way, and AVOL Kentucky can assist those who test positive to get access to the proper care they need.

“It’s really been a long haul for many and, you know, there were times in that 30-year period when we were not as optimistic as we are today,” said Parker. “Today we have a lot of treatments, a lot of HIV testing and ways for people to know their status and if they are positive, to take care of that.”

While strides have been made to address stigma, Parker says that Kentucky has a long way to go.

“We aren’t giving up on the fight to end stigma,” said Parker. “Respect for everybody is what AVOL is all about. We are all-inclusive and we welcome everybody to our doors and we’re going to keep doing that.”

The event concluded with a walk down Main Street with dozens of people taking part. 

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