Radiant Health Centers has announced honorees for its 40th Anniversary Gala, a red-carpet celebration titled “Hollywood: Beyond the Velvet Rope” designed to raise critical funds to expand access to stigma-free, compassionate care across Orange County.
Award Recipients
Radiant will present the 2026 Cultural Impact Award to actor, musician, and LGBTQ+ visibility trailblazer Jai Rodriguez, best known as the culture guide on the groundbreaking Emmy Award–winning series Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. The award honors an artist and advocate whose work has shifted culture by expanding visibility, challenging stereotypes, and helping create a more inclusive and compassionate world. Rodriguez’s career helped open doors for LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream entertainment at a pivotal moment in television history. Beyond his work on screen and stage, he has advocated for people impacted by HIV/AIDS by speaking openly about stigma and supporting awareness, prevention, testing, and access to treatment.
Emmy-winning writer Harper Steele will receive the 2026 Radiant Compassion Award. A longtime writer for Saturday Night Live who served as head writer from 2004 to 2008, Steele starred in the 2024 acclaimed documentary Will & Harper with longtime friend Will Ferrell, chronicling a cross-country road trip following her transition. The film offered audiences a deeply human story about friendship, allyship, and acceptance.
Radiant will also present Legacy Awards to Dr. Duane Vajgrt and Jeff Benedick, whose leadership during the early years of the HIV/AIDS crisis helped lay the foundation for what would become Radiant Health Centers. Additionally, the Legacy Award will be presented to Dr. Adrienne Matros and Rick Matros, whose decades of advocacy, generosity, and leadership have strengthened Radiant’s mission.
Community Impact
A Beacon of Hope Award will be presented to Raven Kim, a young transgender community member whose courage and authenticity reflect the spirit of hope that defines Radiant’s mission. Raven volunteers in Radiant’s food pantry, directly supporting patients and families who rely on the organization’s programs.
For forty years, Radiant Health Centers has served as a place where individuals can find dignity, support, and stigma-free healthcare. The 40th Annual Gala takes place on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at AV Irvine in Irvine, California.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/26/03/g51136305/radiant-health-centers-announces-honorees-for-40th-annual-gala-celebrating-four-decades-of-compass