VIRTUAL
US Conference on HIV AIDS
Family Re u n
ion 2
IMPACT REPORT Virtual Conference
October 19-21, 2020 #2020uscha
uscha.life
About U S CHA NMAC leads with race to urgently fight for health equity and racial justice to end the HIV epidemic in America. The United States Conference on HIV/AIDS (USCHA) is the largest HIV-related gathering in the United States, bringing together thousands of participants from all segments of the HIV epidemic. This year was the 24th annual conference.
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Form at
October 19-21, 2020
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s conference was held online instead of in person. The theme for this year, “Family Reunion 2,” reflected the need for connection and support in the face of isolation brought on by the pandemic.
About U S pening P C H A O lenary More than 6,000 people registered to attend the conference. Form at Gilead P le n ary
Opening P l
ViiV Ple
Exh
enary
nary
Gilead P le
y n r a This year’s USCHA was a three-day online conference that featured four plenary sessions, an exhibit hall, institutes, and workshops. USCHA offered nearly 100 workshops and institutes at Youtintermediate, h Sc h and advanced). three levels of instruction (introductory, s o r l a Introductory levels were primarily didactic. Intermediate level sessions were didactic and ViiV Ple
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Gay
interactive, while advanced level sessions were designed to maximize interaction between attendees and participants.
Quotes & Affi
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50+
Opening P l
enary
This year’s opening plenary consisted of pre-recorded segments, including remarks from NMAC Executive Director Paul Kawata, Black AIDS Institute Executive Director Raniyah Copeland, NMAC Conferences Director Tara Barnes-Darby, and community leaders and advocates. The plenary was a ringing endorsement of Black Lives Matter and for equality and equity for all.
Gilead P le
ViiV Ple
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Youth Sc h Quotes & Affi
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olars
r m a ti o n s
Board & S taff
Gay
50+
Gilead P le
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Exh
“Creating A Different World” Gilead’s plenary was a live discussion on how to remove stigma and prejudices that create inequalities and health disparities within our system. Panelists included:
ViiV Ple
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• Moderator: Bevy Smith, TV Personality and Entrepreneur
• Dr. Lisa Fitzpatrick, MD, MPA, MPH, Infectious disease physician, CDC-trained medical epidemiologist, and founder of Grapevine Health • Kendrick T. Clack, MS, APRN, FNP-C, AAHIV-S, Minority health advocate and the leading voice of healthcare service in marginalized communities • Raniyah Copeland, MPH, President, Black AIDS Institute
Youth Sc h Quotes & Affi
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Board & S taff
Gay
50+
ViiV Ple
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“Positive Action: How Arts and Culture Can Spark Change and Combat Stigma” ViiV’s expert panel discussion spotlighted culture work developed by ViiV Healthcare and their Positive Action grantees and partners and examined the intersection of health disparities, COVID-19, HIV and activism – and how arts and culture can help people understand more clearly the work that needs to be done to address these issues moving forward. Panelists included: • Moderator: Marc Meachem of ViiV Healthcare • Dwain Bridges of THRIVE SS discussing Outrun the Sky and its impact on audiences • Jennie Smith-Camejo of PWN discussing the impact of the PWNCares series on WOCLWH • Roxie Johnson, actress in Take My Hand, sharing her awareness experience • Louie Ortiz-Fonseca, creator of The Gran Varones, discussing how his work is reframing HIV and changing the narrative • Cory Gibson, actor, Ms Hope Chest in AMAIC
Youth Sc h
• George Johnson, BET
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50+ S t
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Closing P l e
n ary
This year’s closing plenary featured recorded interviews with multiple federal leaders in the plan to end the epidemic, including Harold Phillips, Chief Operating Officer of Ending the HIV Epidemic; Dr. Maureen Goodenow, Director, Office of AIDS Research, NIH; Dr. Jonathan Mermin, Director of the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, CDC; Dr. Laura Cheever, Associate Administrator for HIV/AIDS Bureau, HRSA; and Dr. Neeraj Gandotra, Chief Medical Officer, SAMHSA. The plenary closed with remarks from Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of NIAID.
Attend ees
ary
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y
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ions
Institu
tes
Exhibit Hall/ J
o b F air
Loun g es
Gay Men of Colo
50+ S trong & He
r Fellowship
a lt h y S c h ola rs
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A teand e b i it tH h x E ll/ Jeosb F air USCHA attendance included the following groups: Sponsors Exhibitors Speakers CAPs Youth Scholars 50+ Scholars Gay Men of Color Fellows Reclaiming Our Place at the Table Advocates Scholarships Media/Press Workshop Liaisons Lounge Coordinators Gay Job Fair Participants
Institu Loun gte s es
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Lounaglth eysScholars
50+ S trong & He
Gay Men of Colo
r Fellowship
The COVID-19 pandemic has added additional hurdles to those aging with HIV. On our HIV ronthrive g & to 50+ Strong and Healthy program a space to amplify their voices and 50+ S twe Hcreate e a rs year’s USCHA we held l t lathis advocacy work while at the same time breaking withhisolation. y SchoFor workshops featuring some of the members of the cohort. They were able to talk about the mini-grant projects sponsored by NMAC, how to build virtual communities during this COVID era, among other topics. We also invited experts from the field to talk about the National Agenda to end HIV, comorbidities, and aging-related health issues. But not everything was so serious, we also had an amazing virtual party filled with a lot of dancing and laughs!
I o u Y thnSstcithu te s olars
ary
ary
ry
During USCHA, ViiV Youth initiative hosted four days of half-day HIVrelated trainings. Before USCHA, there was a pre-meeting that allowed the Youth Scholars to grow closer to each other through bonding games and activities. The scholars were also able to meet and hear about the personal lives of the sponsors of the program. During the conference, the youth had a series of webinars they attended. The topics discussed during the webinars were disclosure, marketing and communication, and structural stigma. These webinars served as guides to assist with planning and implementing of their World HIV/AIDS Day projects. Lastly, the scholars were also able to explore the conference by going to the Youth Institute, job fair, and plenary sessions.
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BoarLdo& unSg e s f taf
Gay Men of Colo
ars
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HIV prevention doesn’t stop because of COVID-19. At the Gay Men of Color fellowship program, we train members on current biomedical prevention methods while supporting them to pass that information to peers in their communities. As part of USCHA, we S trofonour g& 50+some Hea to showcase the developed workshops featuring members work they do in their lthy Sthe olars of the pandemic chchallenges communities and also how they have been able to overcome to implement the program. Conversations revolved around safer sex during COVID, peereducation efforts to empower and advocate, and how racism is impacting access to biomedical prevention among gay men of color.
Gay
50+ S
Loun g es
ry
ars
HA
ti o n s
USCHA offered four virtual lounges at this year’s conference: the Trans Lounge, the 50+ Lounge, the Youth Lounge, and the PLHIV Lounge. Inside the lounges, participants could find opportunities to network, take Men of Co aythe part in fun activities, or just G enjoy lo r company of others. With so much isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the lounges became popular places to socialize.
o s l i ng C r t o S n g & Pl + 50
Fellowship
e nSachrolyars
Hea lt h y
Attend ees
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Institu
ary
ary
ry
Institutes are in-depth sessions that focus on the issues of impacted populations and interest groups. This year’s topics included COVID, hepatitis, aging, housing, youth, trans populations, and racial/ethnic groups. Institutes are conducted by conference partners and NMAC’s Constituent Advisory Panel members.
tes
Exhibit Hall/ J
o b F air
Loun g es
Exhibit Hall/ J
ry
Loun g es
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ions
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o b F air
Age Range 1500
n oproviders f Col took part in the USCHA Nearly 40 companies, organizations, Exhibit Hall, Gay Meand or Ftheir wship elloservices. offering attendees an opportunity to learn more about 1200
900
For the first time, USCHA offered a jobs fair to match hiring organizations with community members looking for employment. Nearly 30 organizations participated. 600
50+ S trong & He
300
0
Under 20
Attend aalthy Scholars nce
20-25
26-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65+
Ethnicity 2000
1500
1000
500
0
African American American/ Indian/ Black Alaska Native
Asian
Caucasian
Latina or Hispanic
Native Non Hispanic Hawaiian or Pacific Island
Other
*Numbers are representative of USCHA participants that disclosed their demographic information. Does not include entire attendance.
Attend a nce Sexual Orientation 3000
Sexual Orientation
2500
3000 2000
2500 1500
2000 1000
1500 500
1000 0
Asexual
Bisexual
Gay
Heterosexual
Lesbian
Other
Prefer Not Queer Questioning Same to Disclose Gender Loving
Two Spirit
500
Gender Identity 0 3500
Asexual
Bisexual
Gay
Heterosexual
Lesbian
Other
Prefer Not Queer Questioning Same to Disclose Gender Loving
Two Spirit
Gender Identity
3000
3500 2500
3000 2000
2500 1500
2000 1000
1500 500
1000 0
Androgy- Cross nous Dresser
Female
Male
FTM to Gender Gender Trans Man NonQueer Conforming
Intersex
MTF or Trans Woman
Other
Prefer not to disclose
Two Spirit
Androgy- Cross nous Dresser
Female
Male
FTM to Gender Gender Trans Man NonQueer Conforming
Intersex
MTF or Trans Woman
Other
Prefer not to disclose
Two Spirit
500
0
*Numbers are representative of USCHA participants that disclosed their demographic information. Does not include entire attendance.
Attend a nce Age Range 1500
1200
900
600
300
0
Under 20
20-25
26-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65+
Ethnicity 2000
HIV Status 4000 1500 3500
3000 1000 2500
2000 500 1500
1000 0 500
0
African American American/ Indian/ Black Alaska Native
Negative
Asian
On PreP
Caucasian
Latina or Hispanic
Positive
Native Non Hispanic Hawaiian or Pacific Island
Prefer Not to Disclose
Other
Undeclared
*Numbers are representative of USCHA participants that disclosed their demographic information. Does not include entire attendance.
Quotes & Affi
r m a ti o n s
This conference is excellent! Thanks to everyone Thank you to all sponsors, for making this NMAC and all attendees for happen...whatB anoard &a much needed forum for so S tcommunities. many USCHA 2020 aff incredible virtual is a bright light during these conference, my first! challenging times. Stay well. I can’t imagine all the Thanks to everyone for making hard work involved, I this happen...what an incredible am super impressed. virtual conference, my first! I can’t imagine all the hard work Here’s hoping that involved, I am super impressed. 2021 allows us to be Here’s hoping that 2021 allows us together again. to be together again. The virtual platform was extremely impressive and very easy to navigate. This is one of the best virtual conferences I have attended. The set up was phenomenal it was like being at the conference. The Topics were great and the interviews and real time sessions were on par.
This conference is so much more person/community-focused compared to others that are for providers and staff. I love the presentations by PLWHA for PLWHA. The topics were very relatable to the work that I do. The speakers were REAL and engaging. Awesome job overall despite the limitations due to the current pandemic!
USCHA did not disappoint me. I may not have been able to join all the workshops but thanks to Demand I have been able to see what I wanted. Thanks Paul and staff for a great conference even if you couldn’t go to Puerto Rico.
50+ S
2020 Spo
n s ors
A Special Thank You to our Sponsors
who have made significant contributions to the United States Conference on HIV/AIDS.
PRESENTING SPONSOR PRESENTING SPONSOR
PREMIERE SPONSORS
COLLABORATING SPONSOR
THERA
technologies
COLLEAGUE SPONSOR
Board & S taff Board of Directors Chair John W. Hill, Jr., JHill Group, Miami Beach, FL Co-Chair Lance Toma, San Francisco Community Health Center, San Francisco, CA
Secretary Therese Rodriguez, Asian Pacific Islander Coalition on HIV/AIDS, New York, NY
Treasurer Valerie Rochester, AIDS United, Washington, DC
Board Members Brenda Hunt Borderbelt AIDS Resource Team (BART) Lumberton, NC
Leonardo Ramon Ortega, MD, MPH Shalom Health Care Center, Inc. Indianapolis, IN
Rev. Ed Sanders Metropolitan Interdenominational Church Nashville, TN
Monica Johnson HEROES - Helping Everyone Receive Ongoing Effective Support Columbia, LA
Mario Perez County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health Office of AIDS Programs & Policy Los Angeles, CA
Evelyn Ullah Unique Solutionz Miami, FL
Kelsey Louie, MSW, MBA Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) New York, NY
Carlos E. Rodríguez-Díaz, PhD, MPHE, MCHES Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University Washington, DC
Norm Nickens San Francisco, CA
Rodolfo R. Vega JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. Boston, MA
Staff Executive Office Paul Akio Kawata, Executive Director Kim Ferrell, Director of Operations
Development Robert York, Development Director Diane Ferguson, Development Associate
Government Relations Joe Huang-Racalto, Director of Government Relations & Public Policy
Conferences Tara Barnes-Darby, Director of Conferences Alison J. McKeithen, Conferences Manager Shanta’ Gray, Conferences and Registration Coordinator
Treatment Moisés Agosto-Rosario, Director of Treatment Damián Cabrera-Candelaria, Program Manager Anthony Anderson, Program Coordinator
NMAC Training Center to End the Epidemic Ace Robinson, Director Charles Shazor Jr., Associate Program Manager Gabriella Spencer, Program Coordinator Terrell Parker, Associate Program Manager Lauren Miller, Health Equity Program Coordinator
Communications Chip Lewis, Communications Director