LGBTQ+ Activist and Journalist To Be Honored at Annual Gala
The 36th Annual Radiant Health Centers’ Gala in support of LGBTQ+ health equity and HIV care in Orange County is fast approaching. With a date set for January 29, 2022, the event will once again honor the recipients of the Radiant Compassion Award. This year will see two recipients of the award, Alison Arngrim and Tony Morrison, recognizing their inspirational and courageous work in the LGBTQ+ community.
Giving Recognition to Activism and Advocacy in the LGTBQ+ Community
As the Radiant Compassion Award enters its second year, the gala will provide an opportunity to thank and honor Alison for her work, activism and advocacy in spotlighting the LGBTQ+ community and Tony for using his story to inspire change as a journalist and combat HIV stigma. Both individuals have different backgrounds and journeys, but their contributions have stood out to the Orange County community and the wider world.
Alison Arngrim, HIV/AIDS Advocate
While many will know Alison for her many acting roles and as a New York Times best-selling author, her history of advocacy dates back many decades. The death of her “Little House On The Prairie” co-star Steve Tracy, from complications related to HIV/AIDS, inspired her to become an AIDS Project Los Angeles volunteer. Alison continued her service and advocacy by working on hotlines, volunteering in food banks, providing education and fundraising support for people living with HIV/AIDS.
In her current role as President, National Spokesperson and Founding Board Member of The National Association to Protect Children, Alison advocates for children in the fight against child abuse and the goal of improving child protection laws.
Tony Morrison, Living With HIV
Also being honored at the 36th Annual Radiant Health Centers’ Gala is two-time Emmy Award winning news producer Tony Morrison. Tony has worked extensively in the entertainment industry for the Walt Disney Company and as a producer for “Good Morning America.” In August, Tony detailed his experience living with HIV in secret for the last eight years in an essay for GoodMorningAmerica.com.
Tony’s story gained global attention and, through the power of his writing, helped many people gain a better understanding of the experience of living with HIV. The moving and poignant essay led to Tony being named Plus Magazine’s Person of the Year for demonstrating, through his personal journey, that HIV doesn’t have to be a barrier to success or a fulfilling life.
Looking Back to the First Radiant Compassion Award
As honorees at the upcoming gala, Alison Arngrim and Tony Morrison will join the inaugural recipients, Gideon and Jeanne Bernstein. Following the tragic murder of their son, Blaze Bernstein, the parents from Orange County started the Blaze It Forward campaign to encourage acts of kindness. As a result of their good work, the Orange County Pride parade in 2019 was renamed the Blaze It Forward OC Pride LGBT Parade.
Help and Support for the LGBTQ+ Community in Orange County
Radiant Health Centers has been providing support to people living with HIV for more than three decades. We also deliver healthcare and social services to the LGBTQ+ community in Orange County. For more information on our care and support, call (949) 809-5700 or contact us online.
