 PWN-USA Rolls Deep at AIDSWatch 2026 
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AIDSWatch 2026 succeeded in bringing the voices of people living with HIV to our lawmakers in D.C. with greater potency than in years past. Almost 600 participants from 42 states and territories joined for over 260 meetings with Congressional offices. PWN–USA brought 41 members, including 9 state leads, to town and supported them in connecting personal stories to direct policy requests, advocating for equitable HIV funding, and engaging lawmakers on issues like health care access, criminalization, and protections for trans and cisgender women living with HIV. The training and meetings strengthened leadership skills, expanded relationships with lawmakers and other HIV organizations, and reinforced PWN’s visibility and influence at a critical political moment.
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Shout out to the following PWN members, staff, and fellows who presented:
- Kenya Moussa
- Grace Rutha
- Tana Pradia
- Rebecca Denison
- Venita Ray
- Kamaria Laffrey
- Martha S. Cameron
- DeOnyae-Dior Valentina
- Marnina Miller
- Barb Cardell
- Juan Michael Porter II
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Kelly Flannery
We would also like to congratulate Venita Ray for receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award and Wanda Brendle-Moss for receiving the ADAP Lifetime Achievement Award!
Stay tuned for a full recap with member insights soon!
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 The Consensus Statement on HIV Bodily Autonomy, Surveillance,
and Informed Consent (BASIC)
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HIV BASIC (Bodily Autonomy, Surveillance, Informed Consent) is a coalition of people living with HIV (PLHIV), PLHIV networks, privacy advocates, health law and policy experts, and abolitionists raising the alarm about the risks of public health surveillance systems that track already hyper-policed, hyper-criminalized, and hyper-stigmatized communities without regard for our human rights.
Center for HIV Law and Policy, PWN-USA, SERO Project, Transgender Law Center, and the HIV Justice Network are leading this movement to build a broad-based coalition grounded in shared values:
- The Meaningful Involvement of People Living with HIV (MIPA) is critical to a just, equitable, and effective HIV response.
- Informed consent is foundational to building trust in healthcare systems.
- Bodily autonomy includes data autonomy and freedom from state control, surveillance, and policing.
- Policing and criminalization are antithetical to the health and sustainability of our communities.
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We are announcing the Consensus Statement on HIV Bodily Autonomy, Surveillance, and Informed Consent (BASIC). This statement establishes shared principles and commitments for an HIV response grounded in bodily autonomy, informed consent, and freedom from criminalization.
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If you believe public health must respect privacy, consent, and bodily autonomy, add your voice. Sign on by May 15, 2026.
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 PWN-USA is Hiring 
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PWN is looking for our next Leadership Development and Training Manager – are you a natural trainer, do you love developing and support PWN members as they grow into subject matter experts demanding meaningful involvement and leadership by and for people living with HIV? If so, then we need you to apply! Role is remote and full time: $66k/year.
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 Shout out to Ci Ci Brown for being featured in The Inquirer for her amazing work raising awareness about HIV and issues her community faces on social media!
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 The PWN TX-Greater Houston Area chapter will begin canvassing in the North Houston Greenspoint/Aldine area to connect directly with neighbors on issues impacting our communities, like the billions added to police our communities thru ICE while slashing funding for healthcare and life saving programs. If you are a woman living with HIV in the Houston area, we encourage you to apply to be a canvasser. Pay starts at $25/hr. Please sharing this application with anyone who may be interested!
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 This legislative session Louisiana has the chance to undo some of the harmful criminalization of people living with HIV in the state by passing HB 808 thanks to the support of State Representative McMahen and the leadership of the Louisiana Coalition on Criminalization and Health (LCCH). As a grounding member of LCCH, PWN-LA is ensuring the voices of people living with HIV, especially women (trans and cis), gender diverse and transgender people in Louisiana are reflected in the passing of this legislation. Advocates are expecting to have HB 808 introduced to committee in early April.
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 PWN members attend the CBO Summit: Adressing HIV Syndemics in Memphis on March 24 to share the real life experiences of women living with HIV, especially in the South. This summit, hosted by AIDS United, focused on strengthening the understanding of the current landscape of HIV syndemics and developing strategies to provide sustainable HIV prevention and care that utilizes syndemic and comprehensive whole-person approaches.
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PWN-USA National Membership Call – April 10th
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Our next PWN members call is Friday, 04/10/26 at 4PM ET/3PM CT/2PM MT/1PM PT/10AM HT. Note: you must register as a PWN member before getting the Zoom link. PWN members include women (cis and trans), gender diverse, and transgender people living with HIV. Register here!
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Policy & Advocacy Training – April 16th
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Join us on Thurs, 04/16/26 at 6PM ET/5PM CT/4PM MT/3PM PT for our next policy & advocacy training! This session will focus on Ending HIV Criminalization: Using Abolitionist Frameworks in Advocacy. Everyone is welcome to join, no matter your experience level. Come learn with us! Register here!
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Sister Circle Virtual Support Group – April 16th
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Are you a PWN member living with HIV? Join our virtual support group, Sister Circle, for a space to release, connect, and find peace!  Join us Thurs, 04/16/26 at 8PM ET/7PM CT/6PM MT/5PM PT/2PM HT. Registration required to attend: bit.ly/PWNCARES (all caps). Hope to see you there! 
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If you’ve been to a PWN celebration in the past few years, then you’ve grooved to the song stylings of our very own DJ Big Sal, a.k.a. Sallie Thomas – the decriminalization specialist on our policy team. Now she’s bringing you a song selection to get your joy on!
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