Every now and then the universe gives the LGBTQ+ community a win so perfectly timed that you can almost hear the collective sigh of relief across the rainbow, and Dr. Demetre Daskalakis returning to New York City as chief medical officer of Callen-Lorde is absolutely one of those moments.
The outspoken infectious disease specialist and longtime LGBTQ+ health champion made waves earlier this year when he walked away from the CDC after clashing with the Trump administration’s health leadership.
His resignation letter, which became something of a mic-drop moment in queer public health, made it crystal clear that he wasn’t willing to stay silent about political interference and hostility toward vulnerable communities.
Now, in a gorgeous full-circle twist, he is stepping into one of the most influential LGBTQ+ health positions in the country.
Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, known for serving more than twenty-two thousand patients a year with affirming and culturally competent care, will welcome Daskalakis as its new chief medical officer beginning in February.
The center’s work spans everything from HIV prevention and treatment to trans and nonbinary health care, mental health services, sexual wellness, and community outreach.
For Daskalakis, who trained at New York institutions before rising to national prominence, the move is both professional and deeply personal.
In a statement announcing the new role, he described New York City as “home” and emphasized his commitment to ensuring that the full breadth of the LGBTQ+ community has access to strong, science-driven health care.
Callen-Lorde leaders echoed the enthusiasm, highlighting his long history of showing up for queer patients with compassion, expertise, and an unapologetically bold voice.
The organization also noted that 2026 offers real opportunities for progress in ending the HIV epidemic, especially with innovations like twice-yearly injectable PrEP.
Daskalakis’s leadership is expected to be central to driving that work forward in a moment when queer health equity needs champions more than ever.
His appointment also aligns with broader shifts in New York City’s health leadership, which is increasingly focused on centering LGBTQ+ needs across public systems and policy.
Throughout his career, Daskalakis has been known not just for following the science but for speaking truth to power, advocating fiercely for trans people, queer youth, and anyone who risks being pushed to the margins.
In recent interviews he has underscored the dangers of political hostility being misinterpreted as provider indifference, reminding the community that “this is when you engage.”
That same sense of urgency, clarity, and pride is exactly why so many in LGBTQ+ public health see his return as a beacon of hope.
At a time when disinformation, discrimination, and chaotic politics can feel overwhelming, Daskalakis’s move signals something rare and precious, which is a reminder that queer leadership is still rising, still fighting, and still building the future our community deserves.
Whether he is addressing mpox outbreaks, expanding HIV prevention, or championing trans health access, Daskalakis brings both expertise and heart to the work, and that combination is why this new chapter feels like such a powerful win.
For New York’s LGBTQ+ community, his homecoming is more than a job announcement, because it is a moment of affirmation that queer lives and queer health matter, and that the people who care for our community are determined to keep pushing forward.
📷 IG: @ drdemetre