The Utah AIDS Foundation, now operating as UAF Legacy Health, is set to mark a major milestone this month, hosting a 40th anniversary celebration on World AIDS Day, Monday, Dec. 1. The free, private, 21-and-over event will take place at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center’s Black Box Theatre in downtown Salt Lake City.
Organizers say the evening aims to honor four decades of service, advocacy, and community care while recognizing the people who have helped shape Utah’s HIV/AIDS response from the organization’s earliest days. Founded in 1985 at the height of the AIDS crisis, the Utah AIDS Foundation has grown from a small, volunteer-driven grassroots effort into a full-service community health center serving Utah’s LGBTQ+ and allied populations.
“This anniversary isn’t just about our organization — it’s about everyone who marched, volunteered, led, or simply showed up when it mattered,” the invitation states. “Your commitment has directly or indirectly shaped this journey.”
The Dec. 1 celebration will blend remembrance, joy, and community connection. Guests will be treated to complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drinks catered by LUX Catering, as well as live entertainment, including a performance by the acclaimed Repertory Dance Theatre. The program also includes a preview of a newly commissioned documentary chronicling UAF’s 40-year history, highlighting the challenges and triumphs that have defined Utah’s response to HIV/AIDS.
The anniversary arrives at a moment of growth and renewed purpose. While honoring its roots in HIV/AIDS advocacy, UAF has expanded its mission in recent years to encompass broader community health services, including primary care, behavioral health, STI testing and treatment, PrEP access, gender-affirming care, and harm reduction programs.
Leaders say the celebration is as much about looking forward as it is about looking back. As Utah continues to diversify and grow, UAF Legacy Health’s work remains a critical resource for LGBTQ+ individuals, people living with HIV, and communities often underserved by traditional health systems.
World AIDS Day, observed globally each year on Dec. 1, serves both as a remembrance of the lives lost to HIV/AIDS and a recommitment to ending the epidemic. UAF’s event aims to bridge those themes, providing space for grief, gratitude, and renewed determination.
Organizers describe the evening as one of community, joy, and reflection, bringing together longtime advocates, current partners, and new supporters to celebrate an enduring legacy. The gathering will also spotlight the network of volunteers, donors, healthcare workers, and grassroots activists whose efforts have sustained the organization across four decades.
“For 40 years, Utah has moved forward because of people like you,” the invitation reads. “We hope you’ll join us as we honor the past, celebrate the present, and build a healthier future.”
Attendance is free, but advance RSVP is required at eventbrite.com/e/utah-aids-foundation-40th-anniversary-world-aids-day-tickets-1909630699829.
