GMHC Hires AIDS Activist Eric Sawyer as VP of Public Affairs & Policy

Eric Sawyer  by Steve Morrison

A founding member of ACT UP New York and Housing Works, Sawyer also worked with UNAIDS.

February 6, 2017

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Eric Sawyer is the new vice president of public affairs and policy at GMHC, a New York City–based AIDS service organization, according to a GMHC press release.


In his new role, the release states, Sawyer “will lead GMHC’s public affairs and policy analysis, research and advocacy efforts in support of science-based prevention, treatment and care related to HIV/AIDS. He will work on health care access and health disparities, equality for LGBTQIA people, racial and economic justice, gender inequality, and other related issues.”


Sawyer, who has been living with HIV for more than 30 years, is a cofounder of ACT UP New York, Housing Works and Health GAP and was a civil society partnership adviser at the UNAIDS New York U.N. Headquarters Liaison Office. He’s currently on the board of directors of the New York City AIDS Memorial at St. Vincent’s Triangle. His work experience spans organizing, fundraising, developing housing, and promoting access to meds and care.


“It is an honor to continue my lifelong fight against HIV/AIDS at GMHC—the world’s first and leading provider of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and advocacy,” said Sawyer in the press release. “With so much political uncertainty for our clients and our community, it is more important than ever that GMHC be a leading voice for reason, compassion, and justice. Together, we can defend the rights of those affected by HIV/AIDS and finally end the epidemic.”


GMHC’s CEO Kelsey Louie added: “I’m thrilled that the dedicated and capable Eric Sawyer is joining us at GMHC. The early days of the epidemic taught us that silence equals death. Eric’s deep experience in the community and extensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS policy will help guide his work and ensure our clients’ voices and values are heard.”


In 2010, Sawyer was honored on the annual POZ 100 list. You can read our previous interview with Sawyer here, and below is a World AIDS Day 2013 interview.

 

Read more articles from  POZ, here.