Day 4 – 2023 USCHA: A Love Letter to Black Women

Day 4 – 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 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

Following the morning plenary on the last day, there was a closing session of the Federal Plenary, or closing 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.

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We Will Not Be Erased!

HIV is not over. We are still fighting to bring the epidemic to an end. In the public narrative, anti-woke politicians want to take back America. There is a need for a counter narrative that celebrates the beauty and diversity of our communities, particularly transgender communities. 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.

We are at our best when we listen and grow together. When we rise, we will rise together.  If we fall, we will fall together. We will not be erased!

2024 USCHA

The 2024 United States Conference on HIV/AIDS will be in New Orleans on September 12-15, 2024. The meeting returns to the Hyatt Regency New Orleans. The room rate is $175 plus taxes per night. The theme and target communities will be released later.

Related URBT News article: Day 1 – 2023 USCHA: A Love Letter to Black Women, Day 2 – 2023 USCHA: A Love Letter to Black Women, Day 3 – USCHA: A Love Letter to Black Women, and HIV/AIDS Leaders Gathered on Capitol Hill to #SaveHIVFunding

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