BRING YOUR LIGHT

Join us at Light in the Grove, a powerful celebration supporting the essential mission and programs of the National AIDS Memorial. This breathtaking community experience has been recognized as the Bay Area’s best LGBTQ+ fundraising event and includes:

  • A champagne or sparkling beverage stroll through the magically-lit Grove

  • Imaginative artistic features

  • Enchanting dance and musical performances

  • A candlelight reflection at the Circle of Friends

  • Moving displays of the AIDS Memorial Quilt

  • Inspirational reflections from featured guest speakers

  • Gourmet hors d’oeuvres, dinner, sweets, and beverage stations

TICKETS AVAILABLE Now!

Spotlight

We’re proud to welcome back Sister Roma as our distinguished emcee for Light in the Grove. A beloved member of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, she brings her signature blend of wit, warmth, and spirit to this powerful evening of remembrance and love. For more than 30 years, Sister Roma has been a bold voice for LGBTQ+ rights, HIV/AIDS awareness, and social justice. Her presence reminds us that joy, visibility, and community are essential parts of remembrance.

As a writer, speaker, and community leader, Race Bannon has worked tirelessly to destigmatize sexual health and uplift those most impacted by HIV. 

For over four decades, Race has been a leading voice in LGBTQ+ health, kink-positive activism, and HIV/AIDS education. His work has helped shape more inclusive conversations about wellness, identity, & human connection—
making an indelible impact on generations of advocates.

We are proud to recognize Race Bannon with the Lifetime of Commitment Award.

SHINING YOUR LIGHT

Our Vision: Never again will a community be harmed because of fear, silence, discrimination, or stigma.

Together, we work to ensure that the story of AIDS be told in perpetuity, and used as a teaching tool to rally current and future generations in the continuing fight for health, racial, and social justice.

For three decades, we’ve worked to advance our mission through our essential programs. We bring communities together through our Grove Community Volunteer Workdays, Quilt community displays, youth activist scholarships, AIDS storytelling programs, and inspiring events.

All of this would not be possible without your continued support. Thank you for your friendship, love, and commitment to our mission.
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2025

6:00PM - 9:30PM

NATIONAL AIDS MEMORIAL GROVE
NANCY PELOSI DRIVE & BOWLING GREEN DRIVE
GOLDEN GATE PARK

BECOME A HOST | PURCHASE TICKETS

Visit the Light in the Grove: Eventbrite page
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Contact Oscar Fabian at: ofabian@aidsmemorial.org
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Scan the QR code →

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW

Thank you to our gracious hosts

PRISM

Dan Ripley & Jeff Bruce
Ed Ow

Frank Ching & Charley Kearns

Mike Richey & Chris Winslow

Williams and Hart Rainbow Fund of Horizons Foundation

ILLUMINATION

Alex Sloan/ Excelerate Foundation
Bart Vis
David Gleba

Butch Trusty & Kino Mostany
Stuart Kent & Mark Pellegrino

Jeff Genette & Geo Welch
Joseph Sobiesiak & William Hicks

Lisa Bransten & John Rumsey
Martin Tian & Tom Raffin

Patrick Batt on behalf of the Castro Community Meeting Room

GLOW

Barbara G Maury & Bonnie J Johnson
Casey Reed

Karteek Patel & Colin Petheram
Lance Henderson

Matthew Denckla
Sara Schwartz & Kenneth Blum

Wally Bowman & Russ Parker

REFLECTION

Alex Ingersoll & Martin Tannenbaum
Beth Myler, JD, LCSW, Psychotherapy
Beth Ross & Laurie Trupin
Castro Country Club
Terry Huwe & Doug James

Dan & Angela Ashley
David Gin & Gary Nathan
Drew Cushing & Ralph Burr
Eric Collier & Joseph Newell
J Wolford

Jamie & Michael Moore
Jeffrey Foote
John G Montfort
Judy Auerbach & Mark Abramson
Letitia Moore

Lonnie Payne-Clark & Bruce Clark
Mario P Diaz
Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco
Paul Loeffler & Mike Sullivan

Reviv Serums / Vance Nesbitt
Richard Bogan & Frank DiPelesi
Constance de Laveaga Stoops & Robert M Stoops

MIRROR

Alegria Barclay
Alex Walker
Carmela Krantz
Deb & Charlie Denison
Dennis Alexander Reilly
Ed Gibbons

Edward Gatta Jr & Jonathan Vaccaro
IGBO - International Gay Bowling Organization
John B. Cunningham
Steve Holt

Leslie Ewing
Michael D. Shriver
Oscar Fabian & August Becker
Suzanne Schmidt Kennedy & Linda C. Schmidt

Paul Graffagnino & Rick Frautschi
Paul Scott & Scott Simons
Riley Shea
Scott Balentine
Todd Criter

Shanéa Thomas
Shanthi Noriega Minichiello
Steve Gallagher / Coldwell Banker
Patricia Tuohy

IN APPRECIATION TO OUR PARTNERS

- HOPE PARTNERS -

- HEALING PARTNERS -

- PRESENTING PARTNER -

- REMEMBRANCE PARTNERS -

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mike Richey
Butch Trusty
Barbara Maury

Paul Scott
Alegria Barclay
Beth Ross

Carmela Krantz
Jeff Gennette
Karteek Patel

Lance Henderson
Leslie Ewing
Riley Shea

Sara Schwartz
Shanéa Thomas
Shanthi Noriega

STAFF & ADVISORS

John Cunningham
Oscar Fabian
Brian Holman

Deb Denison
Gert McMullin
Jeannie Stivers

Karen Hanzawa
Matt Kennedy
Mike Fung

Patrick Dilworth
Rick Oculto
Roddy Williams

Steve Sagaser
Travis Mathews
Will Roczkos

EVENT PRODUCTION PARTNERS:

Buy tickets today

LIGHT IN THE GROVE 2025