On November 16 in New York City, the Treatment Action Group (TAG) held its annual Research in Action Awards (RIAA), which honors activists, scientists, philanthropists and creative artists doing their part to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

According to TAG, the ceremony was inaugurated 21 years ago to heighten awareness and visibility of AIDS advocacy, research and philanthropy.

Television host Jenna Wolfe, writer Ron Goldberg and journalist Ann Northrop kicked off the event, which also included a performance by performance and visual artist John Kelly. In addition, artist Erica Baum donated a limited edition of 15 archival prints, created especially for TAG.

This year’s honorees included Demetre Daskalakis, Joseph Evall and Charles King.

Daskalakis, MD, MPH is the deputy commissioner for the Division of Disease Control at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Evall, JD, is a lawyer and partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP who helped defeat a defamation suit brought against a TAG policy expert. And King, JD, MDiv, an ordained Baptist minister, is the cofounder and CEO of Housing Works, which provides a variety of services to homeless individuals living with HIV and other chronic conditions.

TAG, which is currently celebrating 25 years of activism, has launched the 25th Anniversary Campaign, the goal of which is to raise $500,000 to continue its work in ending the HIV, hepatitis C and tuberculosis epidemics.

For information, visit treatmentactiongroup.org.