March 2014

And the Award Goes to …#ZeroDiscrimination

From big wins for “Dallas Buyers Club” to Lupita Nyong'o's moving acceptance speech, HIV/AIDS and efforts to end discrimination and stigma took center stage at last night’s 86th Annual Academy Awards.

As he accepted his Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, Jared Leto paused to inject some reality into a night of glitz and glamour.

“… This for the 36 million people who have lost the battle to AIDS and to those of you out there who have ever felt injustice because of who you are or who you love, tonight I stand here in front of the world with you and for you,” Leto said.

Leto won the Academy Award for his portrayal of Rayon in “Dallas Buyers Club,” which tells the true story of Ron Woodruff and his effort to fight stigma and get effective medications for people living with HIV and AIDS in the mid-1980s. 

Matthew McConaughey took home the Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal of Woodruff, and the film also won for Best Makeup.

However, the night’s biggest honor went to “12 Years A Slave,” which won Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay. 

During her acceptance speech, Best Supporting Actress winner Lupita Nyong’o alluded to her childhood in Kenya and encouraged children everywhere to chase their dreams. 

"When I look down at this golden statue, may it remind me and every child, no matter where you're from, your dreams are valid."

At the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) we work tirelessly to achieve our own dream of a generation of children who will be free of HIV, but stigma and discrimination remain some of the biggest barriers to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.


Join us as we take a stand. Take the #ZeroDiscrimination pledge to ensure a future without  pervasive discrimination and fear of stigma.

Created by:

Johanna Harvey

Topics:

General