On October 10, the historic venue known as The Abbey in West Hollywood hosted the second annual National PrEP Day. Founder and CEO Tristan Schukraft, who also leads Everything Gay, turned the night into a public-health rally, inviting some of the music world’s biggest names to celebrate advances in HIV stigma-reduction and to announce new free-testing commitments.
Schukraft, who describes himself as “not only the president, I’m a user,” used the party to dramatize his belief that sexual health should be talked about openly with friends. He told reporters, “Every day it’s a new challenge, whether its preserving queer places like The Abbey or eliminating stigma. This is a celebrity-packed party about sexual health! I want to make sexual health something you talk about with your friends.” The event blended glittering performances with a clear call to action: make pre-exposure prophylaxis, STI testing, and long-term HIV care freely available across the United States.
National PrEP Day turns The Abbey into a health-focused festival
Celebrity lineup and performances
When the lights dimmed, Charli XCX surprised the crowd with an unannounced set, followed by Chappell Roan’s debut DJ mix and a closing after-party helmed by Swedish pop star Tove Lo. The roster of A-list guests read like a pop-culture who’s-who: Christina Aguilera, Demi Lovato, Kesha, Kim Petras, Tinashe, Omar Apollo, Lance Bass and Saucy Santana shared the stage. Reality-TV personalities – Khloé Kardashian, NeNe Leakes, Phaedra Parks, Meredith Marks, Melissa Gorga and Sutton Stracke – mingled alongside internet stars Emily Ratajkowski, Bella Poarch and Colton Haynes. Their collective presence turned a typical nightclub night into a visible endorsement of free HIV prevention.
Message behind the party
Charli XCX summed up the night’s purpose, stating, “I think it’s amazing what MISTR is doing to make HIV prevention more accessible.” She reminded attendees that the goal was not merely celebration but normalization of sexual-health conversations. Schukraft echoed this sentiment, urging guests to “own it” and encouraging anyone with a sexually transmitted infection to seek treatment or, better yet, to use doxyPEP as a preventive measure.
MISTR’s telemedicine reach and new commitments
Free services across all 50 states
MISTR, billed as the nation’s largest telemedicine platform for sexual health, provides free online access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) DoxyPEP, comprehensive STI testing, hepatitis C testing and treatment, as well as long-term HIV care. The service operates in all 50 states, allowing eligible patients to obtain medication and testing without insurance or out-of-pocket costs. Schukraft highlighted that the platform’s mission aligns with his broader brand, which embraces polyamorous, sex-positive values and aims to “be your best self and be true to yourself.”
Funding pledge at the Clinton Global Initiative
During the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting, MISTR announced a bold financial pledge: one million free HIV tests and one million free hepatitis C tests will be funded by the end of 2027. This pledge is intended to bridge gaps between diagnosis, prevention, and sustained care, directly connecting individuals to the resources they need.
Political recognition amplifies the cause
National PrEP Day has garnered bipartisan support. Representatives Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) and Don Bacon (R-Neb.) introduced a congressional resolution that both acknowledges the day and backs expanded access to PrEP. Governors Maura Healey of Massachusetts and Katie Hobbs of Arizona issued proclamations naming October 10 as National PrEP Day in their states, while a West Hollywood Vice Mayor presented Schukraft with a city proclamation during the celebration. Similar recognitions have emerged from Las Vegas, San Francisco and Wilton Manors, Florida, underscoring the growing political momentum behind stigma-free sexual health.
By weaving together a high-energy party, an impressive celebrity roster, and concrete policy wins, the second National PrEP Day illustrated how cultural moments can accelerate public-health goals. As Schukraft put it, the night proved that “if we can help end HIV while throwing a big gay party, even better.” The event not only celebrated progress but also laid out clear next steps for free testing, treatment, and education across the country.
