THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

"The individuals on this year's list may not consider themselves to be heroes, but we do," said Oriol Gutierrez, POZ's editor-in-chief. "Each person—in his or her own unique way—is taking a brave stand against the virus. They are fighting back. From people who volunteer for AIDS service organizations or work as policy advocates, to those who act as educators to promote prevention and treatment, this list represents an incredibly diverse spectrum of people living with HIV and making a difference on the front lines in their communities," Gutierrez said.

The people spotlighted on this year's POZ 100 will inspire readers with their passion to effect change in the world. By telling their stories, POZ hopes the public at large will better understand that the fight against HIV/AIDS continues.

"Because they are living with the virus themselves, these individuals have a unique understanding of what needs to be done and how best to do it," Gutierrez continued. "They know what it's like to be newly diagnosed and how it feels to deal with HIV-related stigma and discrimination. They understand the challenges of accessing care, treatment and support. By sharing their stories, they are not only inspiring others living with the virus but also empowering themselves and the entire HIV community."

Go to poz.com/100 to see this year's full list.

POZ is an award-winning print and online brand for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Offering unparalleled editorial excellence since 1994, POZ and POZ.com are identified by our readers as their most trusted sources of information about the disease.

POZ is published by Smart + Strong, which publishes health-focused magazines and websites that empower and inspire. In addition to POZ, our award-winning brands include AIDSmeds.com, Real Health magazine and RealHealthMag.com, Tu Salud magazine and TuSaludMag.com, SaneMag.com and HepMag.com .