A Day With HIV 2012

Meet the Judges: The Panel That Helped Select Our Covers for A Day With HIV

Sheryl Lee Ralph

Sheryl Lee Ralph originated the role of Deena Jones on Broadway in Dreamgirls, for which she was nominated for a Tony Award. She has gone on to appear on stage, in films, and on TV. A passionate AIDS activist, Ralph founded the Divinely Inspired Victoriously Aware (DIVA) Foundation. "Driving Infectious Viruses Away" is their mission, with HIV testing, erasing stigma, and decreasing the HIV infection rate among women, girls, and young people.

Chuck Panozzo

Chuck Panozzo is a founding member and bass player for the band Styx. Chuck came out to the world as gay and HIV-positive during a Human Rights Campaign dinner before 1,000 guests. Diagnosed in 1991, his journey has led him to join clinical studies, deal with side effects, and survive cancer, while continuing to perform. His dedication to equal rights and HIV/AIDS advocacy is a constant. Says Chuck, "My wish is to inspire others, gay or straight, to live a proud just life."

Diego Sanchez

Diego Sanchez is the first openly transgender person to work on Capitol Hill. He is Senior Legislative Advisor to Congressman Barney Frank of Massachusetts. He was also the first transgender person to be appointed in 2008 to the DNC Platform Committee, where he got a national AIDS strategy adopted. Frank told The Hill what he saw in Sanchez: "a passion for the policy and, precisely because of that, a commitment to getting it done in the best way possible."