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Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN) marked the start of World AIDS Day with its second annual Blue Christmas at House of Blues inside Mandalay Bay—an evening of music, community, and advocacy headlined by Grammy-nominated artist Billy Gilman. He was joined by acclaimed performers Michelle Murlin, Mark Preston, Brett Pruneau, Ryan Beyer, Chadwick Johnson, Skye Dee Miles & The Joy Love Experience, and hosted by Mikalah Gordon. The event blended holiday spirit with purpose, raising awareness for HIV/AIDS and reinforcing AFAN’s commitment to compassion, support, and the U=U message (“undetectable equals untransmittable”).
The celebration led directly into Dec. 1 and World AIDS Day observance, during which AFAN, Commissioner Justin Jones, Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick, and Clark County lit the iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign red to honor those affected by HIV and AIDS and to highlight the ongoing need for prevention, testing, and care. Billy Gilman joined AFAN Executive Director Antioco Carrillo to flip the switch and illuminate the landmark.
The urgency of AFAN’s work remains clear: the Southern Nevada Health District reported 605 new HIV diagnoses in Clark County in 2024, and CDC data shows Nevada has the highest rate of new HIV diagnoses among Western states. AFAN continues to serve as a lifeline for individuals across Southern Nevada through client care, housing assistance, HIV testing, and community education.
