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It’s National Voter Registration Day! |
PWN-USA is the only PLHIV led organization running an on-the-ground, data-driven “Get Out The Vote” campaign in this critical election cycle. Our campaigns reach folks who are disproportionately impacted by voter suppression throughout the country, especially BIPOC, low or no income, unstably housed and LGBTQ+ communities. We believe in the power of the HIV vote, and are passionate about using every tool at our disposal to make our voices heard–on election day and every day. We’ve already started phone banking to reach voters in the battleground states of Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Texas. Keep an eye on our social media pages as we ramp up our campaigns and have meaningful conversations with thousands of voters, engaging with them on the issues that matter most to our communities – including reproductive justice, universal healthcare and LGBTQ liberation! – to get out the vote on November 8th and every day leading up to it! In honor of National Voter Registration Day, we’re here with a few easy actions you can take to make a difference in the upcoming elections:
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U.S. PLHIV Caucus Responds to the HIV/AIDS Federal Implementation Plan |
The U.S. People Living with HIV Caucus is celebrating a win! Input from networks of people living with HIV was instrumental in getting the National HIV/AIDS Strategy implementation plan to address quality of life for people living with HIV. That means that when the federal government is gathering information about and reporting on how people living with HIV are doing, they will now have to consider if we’re stably housed, if we’re getting enough to eat, if we’re employed or have adequate economic opportunities, if our mental health needs are being met, and how we feel – not just what our bloodwork says. Finally, the government is recognizing that we are more than our viral loads! From here the work truly begins. We will continue to fight to turn this information into programs and policies that properly address improving the quality of life and human rights conditions of our communities! Check out the full statement from the Caucus here. |
Help us welcome the newest members of the PWN-USA Team: Samm Pheiffer and Amanda Le! |
Help us give a warm welcome to the newest members of the PWN-USA team! Samm Pheiffer recently joined us as our new Voter Engagement Program Manager. A proud Philadelphian, she is bringing her fierce experience as an abolitionist, reproductive justice organizer, and public education advocate to our team. Most recently Samm worked for Planned Parenthood, where she helped to diversify volunteer teams, created new programs for patients to get involved in advocacy, and led multiple mutual aid campaigns. We are also welcoming Amanda Le, PWN’s latest If/When/How Reproductive Justice and HIV Fellow. Amanda is a recent graduate of the University of California, Irvine School of Law, and a former policy associate at the ACLU of San Diego. Amanda will spend the next year lending her expertise to PWN’s policy team!We’re also extremely happy that our former If/When/How Fellow, Sallie Thomas, will be staying on as a Voter Engagement Program Specialist, lending her immense set of skills to our current voter engagement campaigns! Read more about Samm, Amanda, Sallie, and the whole team here. |
Ready, Set, REPEAL: 11 Days of Action! |
Starting on September 22–this Thursday–we’re going to be loudly advocating to finally pass the REPEAL HIV Discrimination Act, H.R. 6111, for eleven days–one day for each year that the bill has been introduced but not passed. Ending HIV criminalization cannot wait. We need all our allies, partners, and accomplices to be reaching out to your representatives and advocating for the REPEAL Act. If you haven’t already, check out The Ready, Set, REPEAL Toolkit for Advocates which has everything you need, no matter your experience level, to become a fantastic advocate for the REPEAL HIV Discrimination Act! Together we can put an end to the stigma, discrimination, and suffering perpetuated by laws that criminalize people living with HIV simply for their status. We will be sharing more tools and resources for advocates during the 11 days of action, so make sure you don’t miss a thing by signing up to receive updates from the Health Not Prisons Collective. |
Sign up for HNP Updates |
Fill out our Member Survey |
Are you a PWN member? We define a member as any woman or person of trans experience living with HIV who chooses to identify as a member of Positive Women’s Network-USA. We need your feedback! Fill out this survey, help PWN grow and thrive, and you’ll be entered to win a $100 gift card! |
Fill out the Survey! |
Congratulations PWN Shero of the Month: Kayla Gore! |
PWN recognizes Memphis native Kayla Gore, the co-founder and executive director of My Sistah’s House, as our SHERO of the Month. My Sistah’s House is helping to stop trans homelessness by building one tiny home at a time for trans women of color in Memphis, Tennessee. This month, we got the chance to chat with Kayla about her passion to help trans and queer people of color by providing stable housing, direct outreach, and advocating for the rights of TLGBQ people.You can help support the Mutual Aid Fund via Venmo, PayPal, or Cash App @MshMemphis. You can also email [email protected] for linkage to their fiscal sponsor for tax deductible donations. Check out the Amazon Wish List for ways to support their Safe Streets Team and Survival Kits.
Watch the recording |
PWN New Members’ Coffee |
Join PWN-USA for a New Member’s Coffee September 20th at 5pm ET/4pm CT/ 3pm MT/2pm PT. Learn more about PWN and how to get connected; meet our staff and some long-term members where you can ask questions and connect with other women living with HIV. |
Register for New Members’ Coffee |
#PWNCares Sister Circle Virtual Support GroupSeptember 22 |
Join us this month on September 22 at 8pm ET/7pm CT/5pm PT for #PWNCares Sister Circle. #PWNCares Sister Circle is a virtual support group for women and people of trans experience living with HIV. Registration is required for participation. PWN members will receive a link to join the group once they sign up. We encourage you to join us and invite a friend! |
Register for Sister Circle |
SWARM (Southern Women’s Advocacy Response Mobilization) |
SWARM (Southern Women’s Advocacy Response Mobilization) is a space to learn, share, plan, and discuss emerging policy issues, hear from expert speakers, and strategize on how to improve the lives of people living with HIV in the South, led by women and people of trans experience living with HIV.. This month, SWARM will be diving into The REPEAL HIV Discrimination Act (H.R. 6111) and the tools to prepare you to support PWN’s 11 Days of Action. SWARM members will receive the Zoom link prior to the meeting. Make sure you’re signed up for SWARM! |
Sign up for SWARM |
Join our team of dedicated staff! We’re looking for a Finance and Operations Manager and a Houston Temporary Campaign Manager! Is this the opportunity for you? Click the button below to apply! Could this be a great opportunity for someone you know? Forward this email to them! |
Apply Now |
Revelation: Unveiling the Mask |
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Crossroad: a point at which a vital decision must be made.