Dan Bradley Humanitarian Award

2013 Award Winner: Joining Hearts

Joining Hearts is an Atlanta-based non-profit organization dedicated to providing housing assistance to people living with HIV and AIDS in Atlanta. Founded in 1987, Joining Hearts’ sponsors, patrons, hosts and volunteers have contributed more than $1,589,500 and countless hours to provide housing assistance.  Joining Hearts is one of the oldest HIV/AIDS all-volunteer charities of its kind in Georgia and the Southeast. 

About the Award and its Namesake

As one of the founders of Human Rights Campaign Fund in 1980, Dan Bradley distinguished himself through his career as a courageous champion of civil rights. As president of the Legal Services Corporation, Dan was the highest-ranking Presidential appointee ever to acknowledge his homosexuality. That act of bravery set the stage for an impressive string of national media appearances and Dan's activism on the boards of many national and local organizations.

Dan was the inspiration behind the historic June 1, 1987 demonstration at the White House and proudly led 64 gay and lesbian leaders to jail in a symbolic act of civil disobedience. A native of Georgia and a graduate of Mercer University, Dan passed away in January 1988 at the age of 47.

This award is bestowed upon an individual or group who continues Dan Bradley's tradition of activism and service to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.

Past Award Recipients