Hope & Help of Central Florida honors the Orlando Mayor for decades of leadership in HIV/AIDS awareness

ORLANDO, FL, UNITED STATES, September 11, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Hope and Help of Central Florida, Inc. (dba Hope & Help) is pleased to announce that Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer will receive the Chuck Hummer Visionary Award in recognition of his decades of tireless work and support for HIV/AIDS awareness, testing, treatment and initiatives that support housing and community-centered care throughout Central Florida.

Presented annually by Hope & Help of Central Florida, the Chuck Hummer Visionary Award honors AIDS activist Hummer, who passed away in 1994. A pioneer of AIDS activism in the state of Florida, Hummer famously sued a former employer after he was wrongfully terminated for having AIDS in 1989. His lawsuit was successful and “precedent-setting,” according to Hummer’s attorney at the time, Mick O’Brien. The award named for Hummer recognizes people for extraordinary community leadership and advocacy in the fight to end HIV and AIDS.

“Mayor Dyer’s longstanding leadership reflects the power of public service, partnership and a commitment to ensuring that all members of our community can access the care and support they need,” said Thresa Giles, CEO of Hope & Help. “Through his advocacy and collaboration with local providers and organizations, he has helped elevate the importance of HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and services for people living with HIV in Central Florida.”

Mayor Dyer has supported many HIV/AIDS initiatives in the Orlando area, including support for healthcare facility openings and community programs that aim to broaden access to rapid HIV testing and treatment. He has also played a significant role in efforts to address unmet needs and improve access to treatment, prevention, primary care and support services, as well as help raise awareness and support for people living with HIV/AIDS by participating in AIDS Walk Orlando and Hope & Help’s annual fundraising events.

In addition, under Mayor Dyer’s leadership, the City of Orlando has contributed to housing and support efforts for residents living with HIV/AIDS through its Housing and Community Development Department. The department administers local, state and federal resources for housing and community development programs, helping connect residents to services that promote housing stability and access to care. This housing assistance can be a crucial component of comprehensive HIV/AIDS support, as programs such as the federally funded Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS initiative are intended to help eligible households maintain stable housing and reduce the risk of homelessness.

The presentation of the Chuck Hummer Visionary Award to Mayor Buddy Dyer recognizes Dyer’s continued commitment to bringing together providers, advocates, non-profit organizations, and city leadership in support of a more equitable public health approach to HIV/AIDS.

For more information about Hope & Help of Central Florida and the Chuck Hummer Visionary Award, contact Anna Kate Womack, Publicist with Otter PR, at annakate.womack@otterpr.com.

About Hope & Help of Central Florida
Hope & Help of Central Florida is a community-based health organization providing HIV/STI prevention, testing, treatment, primary care, education, outreach, and supportive services. The organization serves individuals and families across Central Florida and works to improve health outcomes by expanding access to inclusive, compassionate care.

About the Chuck Hummer Visionary Award
Presented annually by Hope & Help of Central Florida, the Chuck Hummer Visionary Award recognizes exceptional community leaders and advocates who have made a difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The award honors the legacy of Chuck Hummer, an Orlando AIDS activist whose commitment to advocacy and compassionate care continues to inspire the community.

Anna Kate Womack
Otter PR
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