Jai Rodriguez and Harper Steele Headline Evening Honoring Cultural Impact, Legacy Leadership, and Community Hope
Irvine, CA — Radiant Health Centers, Orange County’s largest provider of inclusive health and social services with a special focus on the LGBTQ+ community and people living with and affected by HIV, announced today that its 40th Annual Gala will take place on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at [AV] Irvine (16500 Scientific Way, Irvine, CA 92618).
The milestone evening – “Hollywood: Beyond the Velvet Rope” – will bring together community leaders, advocates, and supporters for a red-carpet celebration of Radiant’s impact while raising critical funds to expand access to stigma-free, compassionate care across Orange County.
“For four decades, Radiant has been a lifeline, connecting thousands each year to medical care, mental health support, housing, food, and HIV testing and treatment,” said Edwin Rivera-Cortez, Chief Development and Communications Officer. “This anniversary is a milestone, but it is also a reminder that the need for inclusive, stigma-free services has never been greater. By honoring individuals like Jai Rodriguez and Harper Steele – along with several extraordinary community leaders – we celebrate the power of visibility, compassion, and leadership to transform lives.”
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 Radiant Cultural Impact 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 used his platform to advocate for people impacted by HIV/AIDS – speaking openly about stigma and supporting awareness, prevention, testing, and access to treatment.
Harper Steele
Radiant will present the 2026 Radiant Compassion Award to Emmy-winning writer and storyteller Harper Steele, whose career has helped shape American comedy while expanding public understanding of identity, friendship, and belonging.
A longtime writer for Saturday Night Live, Steele contributed to some of the show’s most iconic eras and served as head writer from 2004–2008. In 2024, she starred in the 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 – bringing compassion into the national conversation in a way only storytelling can.
In addition to recognizing leaders in entertainment and culture, Radiant will also honor individuals whose leadership and courage have helped shape the organization and strengthen the community it serves.
Dr. Duane Vajgrt and Jeff Benedick
Radiant will present the Legacy Award 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.
In 1986, at a time when fear and stigma were widespread and resources were scarce, their work with AIDS Services Foundation helped ensure that individuals living with HIV had access to compassionate care and essential support. Their commitment helped transform an emergency response into a lasting institution dedicated to health equity and dignity.
Radiant will also present the Legacy Award to Dr. Adrienne Matros and Rick Matros, whose decades of advocacy, generosity, and leadership have strengthened Radiant’s mission.
Adrienne’s early work supporting individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS during graduate school, combined with Rick’s experience in the long-term care field, helped shape their lifelong commitment to compassionate healthcare access. Since moving to Orange County in 2000, the Matros family has been steadfast partners in advancing Radiant’s work.
Radiant will present the Beacon of Hope Award to Raven Kim, a young transgender community member whose courage and authenticity reflect the spirit of hope that defines Radiant’s mission.
Raven’s journey of self-discovery and resilience – shaped by personal loss, family support, and a commitment to living authentically – has inspired those around her. Today she volunteers in Radiant’s food pantry, directly supporting patients and families who rely on the organization’s programs for stability and care.
By sharing her story and living openly, Raven offers encouragement to other young people navigating identity, belonging, and self- worth.
As her story reminds us: Hope is not abstract – it lives in the courage to live truthfully.
The 40th Annual Radiant Health Centers Gala will feature an inspiring program, celebrity entertainment, and both silent and live auctions.
Proceeds support Radiant’s integrated care model – connecting more than 6,000 individuals and families each year to comprehensive services including:
For forty years, Radiant Health Centers has stood as a place where individuals can find dignity, support, and stigma-free healthcare. The Gala helps ensure that this life-saving work continues for generations to come.
Radiant Health Centers 40th Annual Gala Hollywood: Beyond the Velvet Rope Saturday, March 21, 2026 – 6:00 p.m.
[AV] Irvine
16500 Scientific Way
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 809-5700
eriveracortez@radianthealthcenters.org
(949) 809-5772
Emmy-winning writer Harper Steele, known for her work on Saturday Night Live and the documentary Will & Harper, will receive the 2026 Radiant Compassion Award at Radiant Health Centers’ 40th Annual Gala.
Radiant Health Centers (formerly AIDS Services Foundation of Orange County) is the region’s only FQHC Look-Alike focused on
LGBTQ+ health and individuals living with or affected by HIV. For 40 years, Radiant has proudly served Orange County with medical care, behavioral health, harm reduction, case management, HIV/STI testing, and prevention services — all grounded in compassion, dignity, and health equity.
Edwin Rivera-Cortez
eriveracortez@radianthealthcenters.org
9498095700
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