Florida HIV
Community Guide

Confirmed dates checked October 1, 2026. Confirm costs, registration, accessibility and any changes with the organizer. Some benefits support broader LGBTQ services; the cards identify that distinction.

No verified future dates remain in this list. Check the organizer calendars below for new announcements.

Have a Florida event, fundraiser, gala or webinar to suggest? Send an event for review → Please include the date, city or online format, organizer link, costs and accessibility information. Submissions are reviewed before publication.

This Fort Lauderdale fundraiser brings people together to support local HIV and community organizations. Its spring 2026 event has passed; we have not confirmed the next edition. Use the organizer’s announcements for the next date, beneficiaries, registration and volunteer opportunities. ^[1]

Check the Florida AIDS Walk organizer →

The Joy Ride connects fundraising with HIV services and community support in Florida. You can explore riding, volunteering on the crew or supporting a participant. The route, fees, fundraising requirements and support arrangements should be confirmed with the organizer. ^[4]

See the verified upcoming listings or read the organizer’s participation FAQ.

Participating restaurants dedicate part of their event-day sales to local HIV services. Dates and restaurant lists are local: a listing for another city does not apply statewide. The spring 2026 Jacksonville and Tampa Bay events have passed; check for the next confirmed date.

Browse the national organizer directory →

📍 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 (inside ArtServe) · 📞 (954) 390-0550 · 🔗 worldaidsmuseum.org

A museum dedicated to preserving the history of the HIV/AIDS epidemic — located in Fort Lauderdale, at the heart of one of the highest HIV prevalence regions in the nation. The museum describes its own mission as the first of its kind in the world dedicated to HIV/AIDS history.^[6]

History: The museum grew out of a Fort Lauderdale HIV support group called POZitive Attitudes. Facilitator Steve Stagon began creating historical HIV/AIDS exhibits as discussion topics — initially displayed at the Pride Center of South Florida and Blanche Ely High School. As interest grew, the World AIDS Museum was incorporated as a nonprofit on September 20, 2011, and received 501(c)(3) determination in 2013. The Museum opened its doors on May 15, 2014.^[7]

What you'll find: A historical timeline of the AIDS epidemic, exhibits on HIV stigma, the traveling photography exhibit "The Face of HIV," rotating art exhibitions, and portions of the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Current featured exhibit: The Colors of HIV. Tagline: Document. Remember. Empower.

Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 12:00 PM–6:00 PM. Closed Sunday and Monday. Docent-guided tours available for groups of 3–10 by appointment.

Community programs: HIV education in Broward public schools and community organizations. Annual events include Rock the Ribbon on World AIDS Day at Galleria Fort Lauderdale and the Red Dress Dress Red Gala. WAM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit — support them by visiting, becoming a Ribbon Society member, or volunteering.

🔗 aidsmemorial.org/quilt · Interactive AIDS Quilt

The AIDS Memorial Quilt is the largest community art project in history — a 54-ton tapestry of nearly 50,000 panels dedicated to more than 110,000 individuals who died of AIDS-related illnesses.^[8] Each panel measures 3 feet by 6 feet — the dimensions of a human grave. But they are not graves. They are acts of remembrance and declarations of love.

The Quilt was conceived in 1985 by San Francisco activist Cleve Jones and first displayed on the National Mall in 1987. Nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.^[9] On World AIDS Day 2024, portions were displayed on the White House lawn for the first time.

Search all 50,000 panels at aidsmemorial.org/interactive-aids-quilt — search by name to find a friend or loved one. Make a panel or host a display in Florida: aidsmemorial.org/request-the-quilt.

These links are for future announcements, not confirmed upcoming dates. The 2026 spring and summer events previously listed here have passed. A recurring fundraiser is not a promise that the same event will return on the same date or at the same venue.

For more dates across Florida, follow Equality Florida’s statewide calendar, Big Bend Cares, Broward House and the organizations in your region.

Florida-based organizations and people living with HIV bring expertise, lived experience and sustained work to these issues. RiseUpToHIV provides nonpartisan education and connections; these organizations set their own priorities, positions and participation opportunities.

Want background before getting involved? Read our Policy Hub, Florida HIV criminalization guide and advocacy training guide. Ask your local HIV organization which planning group serves your county. Participation and HIV-status disclosure requirements vary by role.

For many people — especially in Black and Latino communities — the church is the first place they turn in a crisis, or the last place they'd expect to find acceptance after an HIV diagnosis. Florida has faith communities doing both: providing direct HIV services and breaking down the stigma that keeps people from seeking help.

Awareness days can be a starting point for remembrance, education and community events. They do not guarantee a testing clinic or gathering in every county. Our Awareness Days calendar keeps the full list in one place; this page lists confirmed Florida gatherings separately.

Two annual dates to know are October 15, National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day, and December 1, World AIDS Day. Look for local announcements through your county health department or community organization. See the HIV.gov awareness-day calendar →

You do not have to be ready to tell your whole story to ask for support. A first call can simply be: “I’d like to talk with someone who understands. What options do you have?” These are starting points across the state, not a complete list.

Before joining: ask whether a group is open or requires enrollment, whether it is HIV-specific, how privacy is handled, and whether online attendance or transportation help is available. Peer connection and clinical counseling serve different purposes; ask for a licensed counselor if that is what you need. Availability can change.

For Southwest Florida, the Keys, North Central Florida and other communities, ask an organization in your region or the Florida HIV/AIDS Hotline at 800-352-2437 for current local or virtual groups.

Florida has one of the most active LGBTQ+ recreational sports communities in the country. These leagues welcome everyone — people living with HIV, allies, and anyone looking for community through sport.

Whether you're newly diagnosed, a long-term survivor, or a community member who wants to do more, these programs build the skills to advocate effectively — for yourself and your community.

One of the easiest ways to support HIV services in Florida is to shop secondhand. These thrift stores direct proceeds to HIV prevention, treatment, food programs, and community services.

Staying informed is part of staying empowered. These publications, websites, and podcasts are trusted sources of HIV news, treatment updates, and community voices.

OASIS Florida’s Positive Living conference brings people together around life with HIV, learning and community. Visit the upcoming event listings for the verified date, and ask OASIS about availability, costs and participation assistance. Explore Positive Living →

The conference is part of the legacy of longtime advocate Butch McKay. Read the remembrance of his life and work at OutSFL →