The founder of a local organization designed to empower the Latino community to fight against HIV/AIDS will be honored this week for his longstanding and pioneering leadership and activism.
Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative will present its annual David Acosta Revolutionary Leader Award to Jose de Marco in a public reception from 5-8 p.m. April 13 at City Hall. The event will take place in City Council Room 401, with the award presentation and a citation by the city at 6:30 p.m.
This marks the award’s third year: Acosta accepted the inaugural honor, and it went to youth Biancah Melanie Ortiz last year.
GALAEI executive director Elicia Gonzales said the organization received about 15 nominees.
Gonzales and three board members examined each nominee on four criteria: a passion for improving one’s community, dedication to a project, integrity in all aspects of life and a vision that inspires others.
De Marco is the founder of Proyecto Sol, which promotes educational and other opportunities in the Latino HIV/AIDS community to reduce the disease’s impact there.
He has been an active member of ACT UP since 1996 and is also a board member of the AIDS Policy Project and Health Global Access Project.
“To me, and to all of us on the committee, Jose really embodies what it means to be a revolutionary leader,” Gonzales said. “He’s willing to stick his neck out and do whatever it takes to make sure he’s advocating on behalf of people living with HIV, as well as on issues affecting the Latino and LGBT communities.”
Gonzales noted that de Marco has been arrested numerous times for his AIDS activism and has not shied away from talking about his own HIV status to encourage both education and acceptance.
“He’s willing to put himself out there in ways that many other people might not be,” Gonzales said.
De Marco said the award is a humbling honor, especially in light of its namesake.
“It’s very, very special to me, especially because of the fact that I do AIDS activism work and this is in honor of David Acosta, who was an original founding member of ACT UP Philadelphia,” he said. “I don’t usually like awards because this isn’t work that I think should really be awarded, but it is wonderful that my work is being recognized by my peers, people who’ve done the same work and have been in this same field. And it’s really special to be chosen in the spirit of David Acosta, who has done so much for so many in the gay and Latino communities in Philadelphia. It is an honor and privilege.”
The free public reception will include food, drinks and a silent auction.
For more information, visit www.galaei.org.