The Pittsburgh LGBTQ+ and HIV advocacy communities are mourning the loss of Bart Rauluk, longtime board president of Allies for Health + Wellbeing (formerly the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force), who passed away on Wednesday, July 9, after a long illness.
Bart was more than a leader; he was a relentless force for compassion, visibility, and justice. His advocacy spanned over three decades of dedicated service, beginning in 1994 and continuing until his final days. He used his voice, his wit, and his time to combat HIV stigma and fight for equitable access to care in Western Pennsylvania.
“Bart shared his story of living with HIV freely to help eliminate stigma and make others aware of the virus and its impact on individuals and the community,” said Mary Bockovich, CEO of Allies for Health + Wellbeing. “He did it all with a sense of humor and wry wit. I feel privileged to have worked with Bart for 20 years, and I am humbled by his service to the community.”
Bart’s involvement in the organization was profound and sustained. He served on the board of directors for a total of 13 and a half years, including an impressive seven and a half years as board president. He was not a distant leader; he attended nearly every event, gave generously, volunteered consistently, and mentored countless others in the work of HIV advocacy.
“Working with Bart on the Allies board has been one of the great joys of my service,” shared Keri Harmicar, vice president of the board. “His warmth, humor, and leadership left an indelible mark on our organization and me personally. More than a colleague, he was a trusted confidant. I learned so much from him, not just professionally, but about life. I’ll miss him deeply.”
Bart’s contributions extended beyond Pittsburgh. He made numerous advocacy visits to Harrisburg and Washington, D.C., pushing policymakers to prioritize HIV/AIDS care and prevention. He played a pivotal role in Allies’ evolution into a full-spectrum medical provider in 2016, a shift that expanded access to healthcare for countless people in the region.
In 2018, Bart was honored with the Kerry Stoner Award, named after one of the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force’s founders, in recognition of his enduring commitment to HIV justice and care. His work upheld Stoner’s legacy while paving the way for a more inclusive, more compassionate future.
In recent years, he decided to share more of his personal story of living with HIV.
“In 1987, I was living in Delaware,” Bart said in a 2023 interview. “I went to the county health department to get a test. I did that, and they had me come in three days later, and they sat me down with a social worker and they told me what the results were. The next thing the social worker said was, ‘Here’s a book about what we know about AIDS.’ He goes, ‘Get ready to die.’ That simple. I never read the book.”
Nearly 40 years later, he reflected on his work in the HIV community. “I kind of took the posture of, I’ve seen all this go on, I’ve been dealing with it myself, and I want to become an advocate,” he said. “If you’re bored, or you feel like you have any sense of value, then get involved. There are so many ways you can get involved.”
Bart’s passing leaves a profound void in the Pittsburgh HIV/AIDS and queer advocacy landscape. He will be remembered not only for what he did, but for how he did it, with honesty, humor, and a deep well of empathy.
“Bart was a vanguard in the realm of HIV advocacy and a passionate and dedicated supporter of the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force and Allies,” said Bockovich. “He will be deeply missed.”
As Pittsburgh continues the fight for HIV justice and healthcare equity, Bart’s legacy lives on in the community he built, the lives he touched, and the mission he helped shape. Rest in power, Bart.
