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PWN-USA is excited to share some of the powerful projects developed by PWN's State Leads as part of their deep learning journey exploring Molecular HIV Surveillance (MHS), Cluster Detection and Response (CDR), and HIV Genetic Surveillance in 2024. These final projects are as diverse and vibrant as the advocates themselves, reflecting the lived experiences and fierce leadership they bring to this work.

Molecular HIV Surveillance (MHS) affects the lives of all people living with HIV—even if we don't yet realize it. State Leads program cultivated leadership among PWN members—trans and cis women, gender diverse people, and trans folks living with HIV—in states where PWN does not currently have a
chapter. By deepening their knowledge of how MHS policies impact people living with HIV, especially within their own states, these leaders have built power, sharpened their advocacy, and strengthened a collective community voice rooted in justice and liberation. Each State Lead also trained and supported other advocates in their home states or advocacy network, building a ripple effect of engagement in MHS education and PWN organizing efforts.

People living with HIV see MHS as harmful and unjust. It collects and uses people’s HIV genetic data without their knowledge or consent. In states with HIV criminalization laws, that data can be misused in ways that put people at risk. MHS is used in ways that feel like surveillance—not support. Rather than addressing the root causes of HIV inequities like housing, health care, racism, and transphobia, MHS often ends up policing marginalized communities instead. That’s why PWN believes it’s critical to center community voices, demand transparency, and fight for the rights and safety of all people living with HIV.

If you’d like to learn more about Molecular HIV Surveillance and its impact on people living with HIV, we invite you to join us at the HIV Is Not A Crime Training Academy in North Carolina (5/31 - 6/2) where our State Leads' MHS workshop will discuss MHS and State Based Advocacy.

Check out the State Leads' projects below!

Policy Brief in partnership with North Carolina AIDS Action Network & PWN:

• Alicia’s policy brief offers a comprehensive analysis of Molecular HIV Surveillance policies, examining their impact on people living with HIV.
• The brief outlines current challenges, policy gaps, and actionable recommendations to advocate for privacy protections and ethical practices.
• Her work serves as a valuable tool for policymakers, advocates, and community leaders aiming to influence MHS-related policies.

• Leah’s poem, Stand Up, is a powerful call to action highlighting resilience, justice, and the fight against surveillance-related injustices.

• The accompanying video captures her raw and emotional performance, delivering a stirring message of strength, defiance, and community empowerment.

• Leah’s creative expression adds an artistic and emotionally impactful perspective to the conversation on MHS advocacy.
• Leah was awarded the art scholarship for HIV is Not a Crime Conference; she will be presenting her poem and dance at HINAC7.

• Bee’s blog explores the implications of Molecular HIV Surveillance on public health and community rights.

• This piece emphasizes the need for transparency, community education, and policy accountability in surveillance practices.

• Harmony created a concise and informative one-pager on Molecular HIV Surveillance (MHS), designed to educate and empower advocates.

• The document outlines key concerns around privacy, data sharing, and consent, equipping readers with advocacy strategies to challenge harmful surveillance practices.

• Their work serves as a clear and accessible resource for community members and policymakers alike.

• Deirdre facilitated a Pillow Talk panel, fostering an intimate and candid conversation on how Molecular HIV Surveillance, data privacy can backfire and impact people living with HIV

• Her session included 9 people who were encouraged to share concerns openly, transparently, and community-led advocacy.
  Deirdre hopes to host in-person/virtual sessions in the future to continue to talk with folks about how MHS intersects with trauma and criminalization.

• Melanie facilitated a panel conversation in Maryland at the HIV and Aging Summit in January 2025 in partnership with the Maryland Coalition on HIV and Aging.

• Melanie created space for an inter-generational dialogue on Molecular HIV Surveillance and its impact on marginalized communities.

• Her panel explored concerns around privacy, public health ethics, and the importance of informed consent.

• Kneeshe recently spoke at a Town Hall at the Missouri state house, sharing insights on Molecular HIV Surveillance, advocacy, and community impact.

• She highlighted the need for transparency and consent in data collection practices affecting people living with HIV.

• Brooke’s final project explores Molecular HIV Surveillance (MHS) through a state-level advocacy lens.

• The document outlines community concerns around privacy, consent, and data security in surveillance practices.

• Brooke offers actionable recommendations for advocates to push for greater transparency and community engagement in MHS policies.

• Porchia created an informative training on Molecular HIV Surveillance (MHS) and presented it on the Lifetime Survivors Network Support Group call.
• Her presentation highlights the impact of MHS on people living with HIV since birth and adolescents. She focused on the impact of non-disclosure, criminalization and bodily autonomy.

• Key takeaways include empowering community members with knowledge about their rights and the gaps in HIPAA laws.

We are so proud of Antoinette Jones, PWN's national field organizer, for being awarded the Castro Bojorquez Positive Leadership Award by the HIV Caucus during AIDSWatch earlier this month!

Antoinette accepted her award with her daughter, shared an original spoken word poetry piece with the crowd, and ✨dazzled✨ in her hot pink cocktail gown.

A big shoutout to PWN member Shekinah Rose of Pennsylvania for receiving the Persistent Advocate Award at AIDSWatch!

Shekinah gave a powerful speech and looked amazing doing it. 💅 💎 We are so proud of you!

So many of our members showed up and showed out at AIDSWatch in D.C. and we are amazed by their individual and collective power, brilliance, and resilience. A shoutout to everyone who attended AIDSWatch and advocated fiercely for people living with HIV throughout the U.S.!

People living with HIV are strong and resilient, and every day holds something to celebrate. Submit anything you want to celebrated, from getting appointed to a Community Advisory Board or giving a shout out to your fav PWN-er. There's nothing too small to be celebrated - let's uplift all of the joy and wins in our communities! 🤠

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 Thursday, 05/01/25 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! 💗

This Thurs, May 1, workers across the world will take the streets to honor the radical legacy of May Day—a day rooted in resistance, solidarity, and collective power. We’re rising up to reject the corruption, terror, and predatory politics of the Trump regime. We’re rising up to demand care, dignity, and justice, not just for some of us, but for all of us. Remember, we are the many, they are the few! ✊🏾

• "Hakeem Jeffries and Cory Booker hold 12-hour sit-in against GOP funding plan" by The Guardian (04/28/25)
• "The Constitutional Crisis Is Here" by The Atlantic (04/14/25)
• "Why Does 'National Security' Always Mean More War, Not More Health Care?" by Truthout (04/13/25)
• "Trump administration plans to remove all members of HIV advisory council" by Reuters (04/10/25)
• "House approves budget framework, kick-starting work on Trump's domestic agenda" by NPR (04/10/25)
• "Supreme Court backs Trump in controversial deportations case" by NPR (04/07/25)
• "CDC’s top laboratory on sexually transmitted diseases is shut by Trump administration" by STAT (04/05/25)
• "City council approves first step in allocating $100,000 to out-of-state abortion travel" by Texas Public Radio (04/03/25)
• "A Win for Repro Rights: Alabama Can’t Charge Activists Helping Patients Get Out-of-State Abortions" by Mother Jones (04/01/25)

• "City Council advances bill banning mobile services providers from most of Kensington and 7th District" by Kensington Voice (04/24/25)
  • Featuring Samm, PWN-USA's Integrated Voter Engagement Manager

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! 

You can check out our previous celebration playlists on Spotify HERE!

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