Drag Queen Dazzles at Viva La Fiesta

On April 9, 2022, Project EMPOWER of BEAT AIDS hosted a health fair called Viva La Fiesta. In contrast to more traditional fairs, this event delivered educational resources, screenings, and vaccinations in conjunction with a dramatic performance by Drag Queen Sasha Taylor Lord. Community members and partner organizations donated food and prizes, and a collaborator posed as “Max the Vax”—a human vaccination character who worked the crowd, sharing information about the importance of vaccination and knowing your HIV status. The event was an example of the BEAT AIDS approach of reaching their community through focused street outreach.