Hydeia Broadbent, the first Black youth activist born with HIV to publically share her HIV status at the age of 5, tragically passed away on February 20, 2024 at age 39. Hydeia appeared on many public platforms combating HIV stigma and spreading awareness around people born with HIV, leaving an indelible mark with her remarkable bravery and resilience.

As the global HIV community collectively mourns the loss of Hydeia, Positive Women’s Network-USA extends our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and the entire HIV community. As a network of women and TGNC people living with HIV, mostly Black and people of color, there are no words to adequately express our gratitude for the myriad ways Hydeia changed the face of the epidemic, confronted stigma head on, and demanded dignity as a child living with HIV. Truly, many of us would not have survived without Hydeia’s courage, brilliance, and commitment.

And yet what we’re feeling and hearing from community right now is more than sadness - it’s anger; fury; it’s righteous indignation.

Hydeia’s story is an encapsulation of the systemic injustice our people have been facing for decades; her experience is an example of the ways misogynoir and capitalism are murdering Black women with impunity. Her death and the struggles throughout her life were not an accident, they were preventable and easily so. Hydeia gave and gave of herself since early childhood: her status, her story, her pain, her trauma, her reputation, her privacy; every bit of her emotional, mental, and physical labor were commodified. So how could she experience the severe lack of resources and support that led directly to her passing? It’s egregious, and it’s by design.

Compare for example society’s treatment of Hydeia in contrast to Ryan White. Both were children born with HIV in the 1980s who, despite their severe struggles with health and discrimination, used their voice on the public stage in the fight for the rights of people living with HIV. Ryan White is a name well known beyond the HIV community; emergency acts and resource programs were started and continue in his name. Where is the government program named after Hydeia? This lack of attention and resources rooted in misogynoir affects the majority of PWN’s membership. Black women living with HIV are doing mountains of labor–seen and unseen–and being critically ignored to death.

Positive Women’s Network - USA is making a public call to HIV organizations around the world to not let Hydeia’s death be just another tragic loss, but a call to action: we must ensure that the voices, experiences, and expertise of Dandelions/Lifetime Survivors are prioritized in policy initiatives, HIV research, and advocacy for treatment, care, and services for people living with HIV. We must practice mutual aid and celebrate and resource our advocates not only when they’re doing well and producing for the movement but also, especially, in their times of need. We must recommit ourselves in Hydeia’s name to the ongoing work of creating a world where those living with HIV are supported, heard, and empowered. We must continue the vital work she started.

Actions you can take today in Hydeia’s memory:

  1. Contribute to a fund to support Hydeia’s family: 

https://gofund.me/97b6b6c8

  1. Learn more about Hydeia’s life and work on her website: https://www.hydeiabroadbent.com

  2. Learn the Stories of Dandelions/Lifetime Survivors here: 

By Grissel Granados

  1. Educate yourself about and support The Dandelion Movement

https://www.thedandelions.org/

The Dandelions Movement is a “For Us -By Us” movement accountable for communities who identify as Lifetime Survivors of HIV. Our mission is to to free our community from isolation, Stigma, Violence, and Discrimination. We maintain a commitment to identifying 10,000+ Dandelions in the U.S and Globally; creating a space that encompasses Safety, Respect, and Love.

The Dandelions Movement envisions an equal and equitable future for all Lifetime Survivors, Revolutionizing how HIV impacts our community by spearheading the response to health inequities. Community inclusion is ongoing-ly sewn into the work.