TRANSFORM Toolkit

HIV continues to be a problem in the South. The South is less densely populated than other areas of the country, but it still has more than its share of incidences of HIV infections. A part of the problem lies with stigma. The dictionary defines stigma as “a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person.” HIV stigma presents itself in the following ways: irrational fear, aversion to testing and self-care, discrimination, and resistance to treatment.

Addressing social stigma by being visible in our communities.

The World AIDS Day Gala & awareness walk in Norfolk, VA.

Outreach and testing throughout the week of World AIDS Day.

Recognizing and bringing awareness of the HIV epidemic in the Church.

Two events in Baltimore, MD to celebrate World AIDS Day.

The event was held at the LGBT Community Center 2727 South Broad Suite 102. Light refreshments were served along with light cocktails (wine) to allow participants to loosen up and speak freely in the discussion. The chairs were set up in a circle which indicated to all that it should be a group discussion. In the beginning, everyone was asked to introduce themselves, tell the group what their occupation was, and what was their proper gender pronoun usage.  The night’s discussion was centered around sexual abuse in the transgender community featuring our very own “NOLA Dollhouse wives of Prevention!” Questions were asked around the theme of sexual abuse, but the highlight was when each one of the “Dolls” was given the opportunity to share their own very unique stories and experiences that brought them to where they are today! Each one of these ladies has walked a journey separate yet share similar experiences from sexual abuse, discrimination, to being  treated less than human beings. Several students from Tulane Medical School, a representative for a congressman, other CBO’s, and

Targeted Highly Effective Interventions to Reverse the HIV Epidemic (THRIVE) Promising Practices to Advance Health Services for MSM of Color. Presenters: Lena Saleh, PhD
Director of Program Planning, HIV Prevention Program, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Targeted Highly Effective Interventions to Reverse the HIV Epidemic (THRIVE) Promising Practices to Advance Health Services for MSM of Color. Presenters: Deidra Jessie-Hill. Community As Full Partners In Navigating PEER & PrEP Activities.

Targeted Highly Effective Interventions to Reverse the HIV Epidemic (THRIVE) Promising Practices to Advance Health Services for MSM of Color. Presenters: Errol Fields, MD, PhD, MPHAssistant Professor, Johns Hopkins School of MedicineEvaluator, Center for Child and Community Health Research. Baltimore in Conversation.

No matter who you are, who you love, what your HIV status is, or what you look like, #PeopleWhoLookLikeMe is a campaign that highlights tools and resources to end the HIV epidemic and improve our sexual health and wellbeing.

“Made Equal” promotes Undetectable Equals Untransmittable, or U = U, a scientific fact that people living with HIV who are on effective treatment cannot transmit HIV to their sexual partners.

Health Department was the first U.S. government agency to officially join the U = U movement; today, more than 870 partners, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have joined.

Among people receiving HIV medical care in New York City in 2017, 85% were virally suppressed.

RISE: A Storytelling Showcase on Wednesday, March 27th, from 7 PM-9:30 PM at Terrific New Theatre! Local storytellers will delight you with tales about resilience, rising up against adversity, and rising to the occasion. Be prepared to laugh, cry, and be thoroughly entertained! A limited quantity of VIP tickets are available for $30 and include preferred seating, grab bag and a complimentary glass of wine. General admission tickets for $15.

AIDS Alabama’s Birmingham space, The Hub, is a space geared towards young gay, bisexual, and transgender men of color. They offer testing services, counseling, business clothing, and more.