From bagels to the Brooklyn Bridge, New York City has no shortage of icons. But on Sunday, May 17, more than 10,000 additional icons participated in the 41st annual AIDS Walk New York and raised $1,714,522 for HIV services.
The theme of the 2026 event was Walk Like an Icon, and who better to lead the way than grand marshal and New York native Rosie Perez. Watch part of her speech below:
In addition, Jessi Mitchell of CBS News was the event’s emcee. According to GMHC, the day also included a VIP Breakfast, a Masala Bhangra dance warm-up, a Paradise Garage Dance Party at the finish line, cheerleaders and a Vogue performance by House of Miyake-Mugler — all leading up to the reveal of the total amount raised so far.
Here’s a slideshow of images from AIDS Walk New York 2026:
AIDS Walk New York grand marshal Rosie PerezCourtesy of GMHC/Matt McDermott
Spearheaded by GMHC (originally Gay Men’s Health Crisis), the annual AIDS Walk in Central Park has raised more than $170 million since 1986 for GMHC’s services, including health, housing, workforce development and more, according to the nonprofit. Donations can be made through June 12 at aidswalkny.org.
John Elliott of CBS News was on hand to interview folks throughout about the event—you can watch those segments on YouTube and in the video below:
“The epidemic is not over. More than 132,000 New Yorkers are living with HIV, and new infections rose 17% last year,” said GMHC co-CEO and chief financial officer Michael Hester in a statement. “But this community is unstoppable—it has survived everything thrown at it. Every dollar raised today connects someone to compassionate care that might literally save their life. GMHC was built for this moment—and today, this community proved it.”
CBS also interviewed GMHC co-founder Lawrence Mass, MD, about the early days of the epidemic and the AIDS service oganization:
This year’s event was presented by ViiV Healthcare, a pharmaceutical company focused on HIV. Additional participants included celebrities Peppermint, Jenifer Lewis and Megan Hilty and elected officials and city leaders, such as New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal, and the city’s health commissioner, Alister Martin, MD, MPP.
