2023 USCHA: A Love Letter to Black Women. The Ending the HIV Epidemic in the United States (EHE) initiative was launched in 2019. The EHE aims to reduce new HIV infections by 90% by 2030. By implementing key HIV prevention and treatment strategies to achieve healthy equity with all communities while also addressing the epidemic. The EHE initiative encouraged jurisdictions to implement a whole-person approach to HIV prevention and care known as status neutrality. This person-centered approach addresses healthcare gaps and underserved support service needs of people living with or at risk of HIV.

Earlier this week, the 2023 United States Conference on HIV/AIDS (USCHA) was held at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, DC. The theme for this year was “A Love Letter to Black Women.”

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Day 1: Wednesday, September 6, 2023

A Love Letter to Black Women

The United States Conference on HIV/AIDS is a safe space for people highly impacted by HIV. The gathering values diversity, equality, and justice. Attendees can be themselves in all their fabulosity. PHOTO: COURTESY OF: NMAC Dress Code, Published August 31, 2023.

2023 USCHA celebrated and sent love to all the Black Women in our movement at the Opening Plenary.  The plenary was titled “Opening Plenary: A Love Letter to Black Women.” USCHA shared stories, honored those we’ve lost, and highlighted current leaders on the frontlines. The Opening Plenary session also gave voice to the next generation. They are ready to take the lead in putting an end to the HIV epidemic.

Sweet Honey In The Rock®

The women of Sweet Honey In The Rock® gave a soulful performance. Founded by Bernice Johnson Reagon in 1973 at the D.C. Black Repertory Theater Company, the group’s name was derived from a song, based on Psalm 81:16, which tells of a land so rich that when rocks were cracked open, honey flowed from them

Sweet Honey In The Rock® is an all-woman, African-American a cappella performance ensemble rooted in African American history and culture. The three-time Grammy Award–nominated troupe educates, entertains and empowers its audience and community through the dynamic vehicles of a cappella singing and American Sign Language interpretation for the Deaf and hard of hearing.  

Sweet Honey’s audience and community comes from diverse backgrounds and cultures throughout the United States and around the world, and includes people of all ages, economic/education/social backgrounds, political persuasions, religious affiliations, sexual preferences and differing abilities. 

Picture: Sweet Honey in the Rock – (From Left to Right) Christie Dashiell, Nitanju Bolade Casel, Carol Maillard, Barbara Hunt, Romeir Mendez, Aisha Kahill, Louise Robinson, and Rochelle Rice. PHOTO: COURTSESY OF: Sweet Honey In The Rock® . (Photo by Christopher Robinson)

HIV/Aging Policy Bootcamp

I attended the “HIV/Aging Policy Bootcamp: Building Skills for Equity and Inclusion” policy advocacy workshop after the Opening Plenary. This institute focused on the unique challenges that older adults living with or at risk of HIV face. In the United States, 50% of people living with HIV are 50 or older. This figure is expected to rise to 70% by 2030. Comorbidities, social isolation, financial insecurity, and stigma/discrimination are all more likely in older adults with HIV.

Participants were educated on policy actions to promote equitable and inclusive care. This includes removing age limits on HIV testing guidelines and implementing the Older Americans Act to be more HIV-inclusive. The bootcamp also discussed advocacy for the LGBTQ+ and HIV Long-Term Care Bill of Rights. The HIV Long-Term Care Bill of Rights ensures access to safe, respectful long-term care services free of discrimination and stigma. Participants met in small groups to discuss policy advocacy strategies and community organizing efforts aimed at improving the quality of life for older adults living with or at risk of HIV.

Comorbidities, social isolation, financial insecurity, and stigma/discrimination are all more likely in older adults with HIV. The workshop educated participants on policy actions that promote equitable and inclusive care. This includes eliminating age limits on HIV testing guidelines and making the Older Americans Act more HIV-inclusive.

The boot camp also discussed advocacy for the LGBTQ+ and HIV Long Term Care Bill of Rights. The HIV Long Term Care Bill of Rights ensures access to safe, respectful long-term care services free of discrimination and stigma. Participants met in small groups to discuss policy advocacy strategies and community organizing efforts to improve the quality of life for older adults living with or at risk of HIV.

U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable)

The workshop “Storytelling: What U=U Means to Four Women of Color” featured short videos. The videos depicted the interwoven stories of four women of color from diverse backgrounds, all long-term HIV survivors. The videos were created by the Primary Care Development Corporation (PCDC) and the New England AIDS Education and Training Center (NEAETC) to educate healthcare professionals about the significance of U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) to people living with HIV.

Each video demonstrated the importance of honest communication between providers and clients, as well as their strength, power, and resilience.

The storytellers featured in the videos shared their experiences participating in the project. They also shared its impact on them during this highly interactive workshop. Participants discussed their reactions after watching the videos together. They discussed U=U with the storytellers, how providers could become more comfortable discussing it, and strategies to sustain these efforts.

Discrimination Into Motivation

The last workshop of the day was the “Turning Discrimination into Motivation” workshop. In this workshop, …

Welcome Reception

The first day concluded with a Welcome Reception in the Marquis Ballroom of the Marriott Marquis.

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Day 2: Thursday, September 7, 2023

All Up In Your Mind

2023 USCHA: A Love Letter to Black Women. The “All Up In Your Mind: Examining the Media’s Impact on Sensationalizing Black Women” panel kicked off the second day of the 2023 USCA. This panel addressed issues such as sexual health, social media, and the sensationalization of Black women. The panelists talked about the effects of stereotyping, colorism, and misogyny on Black women as a result of a hypersexual media culture. Subtopics included patriarchy and pretty privilege, respectability politics and reclaiming our time, sexual health and self-care, and reclaiming our time.

Proverbs 18:21

Proverbs 18:21 in the New International Version of the Holy Bible says, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Many people face various forms of oppression and discrimination based on their gender, race, sexual identity, socioeconomic status, or other factors. Language is frequently used to reinforce oppression and discrimination. Over time, hearing language that perpetuates stigma, oppression, and discrimination has a negative impact on the health and overall quality of life of people living with HIV.

The session “Proverbs 18:21 – Stigmatizing Language in Sacred Spaces” looked at why language matters in sacred spaces. It investigated methods that faith communities can use to reshape the language used in sermons, promotional materials, and dialogue – both in and out of the pulpit. Attendees also examined how racialized and stigmatizing language assigns negative labels, stereotypes, and judgments to specific groups of people. Furthermore, how such language can contribute to negative outcomes.

She is Glorious

Gilead Sciences presented the second day’s plenary, “Gilead Plenary: In Her We Trust: She is Glorious – A Celebration of Black Womanhood.” Gilead’s mission is to discover, develop, and deliver novel therapeutics for patients suffering from life-threatening diseases.

PICTURE: Raven, a 29-year-old mother, has spent most of her life raising awareness and educating others about what it means to live with HIV. PHOTO: COURTESY OF: Gilead Science Stories@Gilead, Published January 09, 2020.

Throughout history, Black women have been at the forefront of social movements such as HIV, driving societal progress while frequently being overlooked. This plenary luncheon celebrated and honored Black women’s exceptional leadership and ongoing contributions to their families, communities, and society. Their leadership was honored through stories and performances, their voices were amplified, and attendees were inspired by their legacy to help inspire a more inclusive future in which Black women are celebrated for their leadership and prioritized in our collective work to help end the HIV epidemic for everyone, everywhere.

Intimate Partner Violence and HIV Care

PICTURE: Beaten – November 25 is the international day against domestic violence. This photo was taken in Bonn, displaying the work of an artist. PHOTO: COURTESY OF: Unsplash, Published November 25, 2020

Accessing and navigating HIV care services may be difficult for people living with HIV (PLWH) who are victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). Traumas brought on by toxic relationships can influence their willingness to seek specialized care. This population must have access to comprehensive mental health services led by certified IPV counselors who understand the importance of HIV care and retention and are familiar with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) community.

Cultural competence and understanding are required for effective therapeutic support in the field of mental health. Individuals will incorporate the importance of HIV care and medication adherence into their wellness strategy as they gain mental empowerment. The inclusion of this mental health modality is consistent with the principles of the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the United States (EHE) initiative.

The “The Impact of Intimate Partner Violence on HIV Care Access” institute highlighted MarSell Wellness Center‘s trauma informed care (TIC) strategies for breaking down barriers that prevent this marginalized group from accessing much needed HIV care services.

Related URBT News article: No Does Not Mean Go

Fueling the Movement

During the COVID pandemic, the HIV field experienced a significant shift. Many people’s mental health suffered as a result of the constant challenge of team building as a result of high turnover rates, the addition of new members to the field, and balancing the need to sustain motivation.

In the “Fueling the Movement: Shaping the Future of HIV Leadership” panel, presenters from the National Minority AIDS Council‘s (NMAC) Gay Men of Color Fellows and other seasoned advocates discuss how emotions such as frustration and anger can fuel positive change while shaping the future of HIV leadership.

The Gay Men of Color Fellowship is built on a powerful social media campaign that is informed by its members. Fellows are trained in biomedical prevention and given social media packages to help them launch their “biomedical prevention influencer” status. The campaigns aim to raise awareness about PrEP, PEP, and TasP among men who have sex with other men. Fellows will also plan Facebook live events and create social media posts based on three themes: (1) biomedical prevention basics, (2) sex, desire, and pleasure, and (3) PrEP, PEP, and treatment adherence.

Panelists worked together to navigate these complex topics, hoping to shed light on how to build up by combining an administrator’s strategic mindset with an activist’s heart.

Race-Based Health Inequities

The workshop “Using a Health Equity Lens to Access Race-Based Health Inequities” concluded Day 2. This workshop guided participants through a 12-step process for increasing a community organization’s or clinic’s capacity to apply a health equity lens to their work. It drew attention to the historical and contemporary impact of structural racism, as well as system-level issues at the root of current health disparities. Participants were given a 12-step process handout and engaged in discussions and individual planning for each step.

The process includes a focus on data, providing guidance on community input, establishing priorities, addressing social determinants of health, and testing new models with data as a guide. This was a hands-on workshop for participants who are in positions to make operational decisions that will assist an organization in addressing health disparities. This workshop will strengthen an organization’s ability to be truly representative of, trusted by, and responsive to the needs of people of color.

Day 3: Friday, September 8, 2023

Living Positively

Day 3 began with the presentation “Living Positively: Redefining HIV Care for the 50+ Community” following morning worship. It centered on Gilead’s HIV Age Positively Initiative and the programs and services developed by national, state, and local organizations across the United States to improve the health and quality of life of people living with HIV who are 50 and older. The presentation highlighted the population’s unique needs and challenges, such as stigma, ageism, and co-morbidities.

PICTURE: By 2030, up to 70% of people with HIV will be over the age of 50. Gilead Science’s “HIV Age Positively” aims to support programs focused on improving the quality of life and health for those who are aging. PHOTE: COURTESY OF: Gilead Sciences, HIV Age Positively.

“The S Salon Desire, Pleasure & Intimacy: An Experience in Three Acts” plenary session by ViiV Healthcare was a dynamic live show with a supporting multimedia presentation centered on this year’s USCHA conference theme of “A Love Letter to Black Women.” It emphasized ViiV’s commitment to Black women, the cultural and community initiatives they have launched in recent years aimed at Women of Color, and the significance of this work on a local/national/global scale.

??? performed during the session, which featured several keynote speakers from the community and the brand. In addition, a platform was provided for our community partners who are working with us to change the narrative around women and HIV, reframe risk, and recognize the leaders who are moving the work forward.

Leveraging Media Advocacy

I attended the “Leveraging Media Advocacy in the Fight Against HIV Stigma” session after ViiV’s luncheon plenary.

Since 2020, GLAAD has been tracking the State of HIV Stigma in the United States in collaboration with Gilead Sciences, asking key questions each year about Americans’ attitudes and knowledge of HIV, as well as the stigma that exists around the virus and people living with HIV (PLWH).

GLAAD, as a dynamic media force, tackles difficult issues in order to shape the narrative and spark dialogue that leads to cultural change.

While the 2022 State of HIV Stigma Report shows some progress in reducing HIV stigma, there is still work to be done, as the majority of Americans still believe HIV stigma exists and report seeing fewer stories of people living with HIV in the media. According to the 2022 report, nearly 90% of Americans agree that there is still stigma surrounding HIV, and only 31% have seen stories about PLWH in the last year. According to GLAAD’s 2022 Where We Are On TV (WWATV) Report, only eight characters on scripted series were living with HIV.

PICTURE: The 2022 State of HIV Stigma report reveals progress toward easing HIV stigma, through increasing knowledge, comfort, and greater understanding that HIV can be treated to the point of being undetectable and therefore untransmittable (U=U) and the importance of PrEP for prevention. PHOTO: COURTESY OF: GLAAD.

The 2022 State of HIV Stigma Study was conducted in February 2022 via an online survey of 2,536 U.S. adults aged 18 and up. CINT, the world’s largest consumer network for digital survey-based research, sourced and aggregated the sample. The results from 2022 are compared to those from 2021 and 2020, assuming the same question was asked.

The findings document progress against HIV stigma, HIV transmission and prevention, and HIV attitudes and knowledge among people living with HIV in the United States:

• Knowledge of HIV is Stable. Half of Americans believe they are knowledgeable about the virus, and nearly 40% have some knowledge. Since 2020, the figures have remained stable.
• Greater comfort interacting with people living with HIV (PLWH). Since 2020, the percentage of Americans who are comfortable interacting with HIV-positive people has steadily increased.
• Increased understanding of PrEP benefits in preventing HIV. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is one of the most effective HIV prevention strategies. Today, two out of every three Americans believe that there are medications available to protect against HIV infection. Keeping PrEP free or low coat is a long-term need in the fight to end HIV.
• Growing understanding of U=U. There has been a steady decrease in key stigma measures, indicating that HIV affects only certain groups of people. Today, only 32% of Americans associate HIV with drug users, and 33% believe HIV primarily affects LGBTQ people.
• There is not enough visibility of people living with HIV in media. Less than one-third of Americans say they’ve seen media stories about people living with HIV in the last year. This lack of visibility has the potential to perpetuate harmful stereotypes and stigma.

Protecting Our Care

The healthcare system in the United States is fragmented, dysfunctional, and undeniably expensive. Add stigma and discrimination to the list of burdens for people living with and at risk of HIV in this broken system. Public health programs must step up to fill the gaps in care. Recently, the courts and state legislatures have used health policy to attack the rights of LGBTQ+ people and women by restricting access to reproductive, gender-affirming, and preventive health care. Simultaneously, Congress is pushing austerity measures that threaten to reduce federal funding for public health programs that serve people living with or at risk of HIV.

The workshop “Protecting Our Care: Political Attacks Against Healthcare and Public Health” provided a policy analysis of the healthcare landscape. It also explored the current political threats to funding public health programs across the country. The workshop examined complex threats to healthcare and safety net programs designed to keep people from falling through the cracks.

Beyond Diversity

It is important to have an HIV workforce that reflects the demographics and experiences of those most affected. This includes includes as Black, Latinx, and Indigenous communities. However, how can organizations go beyond simply hiring diverse employees to foster environments in which employees from historically marginalized communities feel a sense of belonging and receive the support they require to succeed and grow as leaders? How can we work to avoid replicating the oppressive systems that our clients face with our own staff?

Concrete, data-driven strategies that AIDS Service Organizations of all sizes can use to improve engagement, retention, and a sense of belonging among their BIPOC staff were discussed in this interactive “Beyond Diversity: A Data-Driven Approach to Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging” workshop.

Let’s Stop HIV Together

HIV affects certain groups disproportionately more than others. Research shows that those same groups have a higher level of distrust of the government and the medical system. Government agencies and organizations that want to engage these populations must think outside the box.

The national Let’s Stop HIV Together (Together) campaign of the CDC employs evidence-based strategies to reduce HIV stigma. They utilize these evidence-based strategies to promote HIV testing, prevention, and treatment among priority groups, as well. Together have become trusted spokespeople, often connecting with people who do not listen to traditional news or information sources. Because of this, Together wanted to build an evidence-base for working with social media influencers. Recognizing the plethora of factors that could influence government agencies’ engagement with influencers, Together was cautious and thorough. They aligned activations with their other paid and organic outreach strategies to rigorously evaluate impact.

In the “Collaborating With Social Media Influencers to Stop HIV Together” workshop, presenters shared their experiences developing guidance for hiring influencers, and influencer agencies, vetting influencers, and developing content to maximize efforts.

PICUTRE: Hands with red paint placed together to form a heart. PHOTO: COURTESY OF: Unsplash, Published July 26, 2016.

Day 4: Saturday, September 9, 2023

Advocacy for HIV Programs

The final day of 2023 USCHA started with the “Advocacy for HIV Programs: Housing and More!” institute.

Elections are important. Knowing how to advocate for our collective HIV issues, whether at the local or national level, is one of the most important tools we have as people living with HIV/AIDS, allies, and advocates.

Attendees learned how to find out who their elected officials are, how to contact them, how to craft their message. They also learned the best ways to communicate with their elected officials to get results in this session.

The workshop emphasized the need for housing. Additionally, it provided data and messaging for housing advocates to use at the local, state, and national levels. To end the HIV epidemic, we must ensure that everyone has a safe, affordable place to live.

Federal Plenary

The Federal or Closing Plenary was held after the final day’s morning plenary. Speakers from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provided an update on efforts to end the HIV epidemic. The dynamic panel featured Black female federal government leaders.

We Will Not Be Erased!

2023 USCHA: A Love Letter to Black Women. HIV is not over. We are still fighting to bring the epidemic to an end. The public narrative is dominated by anti-woke politicians who want to “take America back.” A counter narrative that celebrates the beauty and diversity of our communities, particularly the transgender community, is required. They will win if we do not fight back.

Thank you to the presenters for creating new opportunities for skill development to combat the HIV epidemic in our communities. Thank you also to all of the USCHA partners and stakeholders involved in bringing this year’s theme to life.

While the overall focus of the 2023 USCHA was on discussing and developing strategies that will empower our communities to build leaders for positive and long-term change, it centered on the importance of being visible in a country that is actively working against us.

When we rise, we will rise together.  If we fall, we will fall together. We will not be erased!

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