Plus 151 Nov Dec 2022

IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®

This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side e ects, including: Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. Your healthcare provider will test you for HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking BIKTARVY. Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months, and may give you HBV medicine.

ABOUT BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults and children who weigh at least 55 pounds. It can either be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements.

BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS.

Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine that contains: dofetilide rifampin any other medicines to treat HIV-1

BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY

Tell your healthcare provider if you:

Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis infection.

Have any other health problems.

Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY.

Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take:

Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-thecounter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

BIKTARVY and other medicines may a ect each other. Ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist about medicines that interact with BIKTARVY, and ask if it is safe to take BIKTARVY with all your other medicines.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side e ects, including: Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section.

Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that may have been hidden in your body. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking BIKTARVY.

Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking BIKTARVY. Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.

Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain.

The most common side e ects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%). These are not all the possible side e ects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY.

HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY

Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.

GET MORE INFORMATION

This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more.

Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5

If you need help paying for your medicine, visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.

BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, GSI, and KEEP LOVING

trademarks of

related companies.

Gilead Sciences,

rights reserved.

THE COVER

OF MOORE

MOST AMAZING

WITH

OF FAME

BEFORE THE

LEGACY

IN BLOOD

CELEBRATING SIR ELTON

Music legend Elton John is honored by the White House.

MAN WITH A PLAN

Biden unveils his administration’s plan to end HIV by 2030.

IN THE LINE OF FIRE

An HIV-positive police force candidate fights stigma.

NEGATIVE NUMBERS

Millions around the world are in need of HIV treatment.

DAILY DOSE

14 WORLD AIDS DAY 2022

What is the global state of HIV?

TREATMENT

42 ON THE HORIZON

The latest news on a daily HIV pill currently in development.

43 BETTER DAYS AHEAD

New research uncovers good news for those dealing with HIV and hepatitis B.

WELLNESS

44 A LIGHT IN THE DARK

A new emergency mental health line will help save lives.

45 BAD BITCH THERAPY

Megan Thee Stallion has a new mental health website.

PARTING SHOT

46 TUB TALK

HIV advocate Damon L. Jacobs exposes all with his guests in a splashy new web series.

editorial director NEAL BROVERMAN editor in chief DESIRÉ E GUERRERO

EDITORIAL senior copy editor TRUDY RING editorial programs manager DUSTINA HAASE-LANIER contributing editors MARK S. KING mental health editor GARY MCCLAIN contributing writers MIKAYLA CARNEY, ASHLEY INNES, ANDREW STILLMAN, SAVAS ABADSIDIS, DAVID ARTAVIA, GEORGE JOHNSON

ART executive creative director RAINE BASCOS senior marketing designer ERIK BROCK graphic designer MARIUSZ WALUS digital photo editor NICOLE ARSENEAULT

PRINT PRODUCTION production director JOHN LEWIS managing editor JD GLASS

EQUALPRIDE EDITORIAL digital director, advocate.com ALEX COOPER editor at large JOHN CASEY senior national reporter CHRISTOPHER WIGGINS sta writer MEY RUDE editor in chief, out DANIEL REYNOLDS digital director, out.com RAFFY ERMAC associate digital director, out.com & pride.com BERNARDO SIM editor in chief, out traveler JACOB ANDERSON-MINSHALL managing editor, out traveler DONALD PADGETT editor in chief, pride.com RACHEL SHATTO

ADVOCATE CHANNEL vice president, video, operations JASON KNIGHT vice president, women’s programming & host SONIA BAGHDADY vice president, editorial director & host TRACY E. GILCHRIST senior producer BRIAN KELLEY chief booker & on-air correspondent RICKY CORNISH editorial director & producer CARA GLASS host & producer JAYMES VAUGHAN host & producer STEPHEN WALKER host & producer RACHEL SMITH climate change reporter & producer MICHAEL SMITH producer JASMINE HARDY chief video editor LAMONT BALDWIN senior video editor BRIAN PAVONE senior video editor RICHARD GACOVINO ADVERTISING, BRAND PARTNERSHIPS & INTEGRATED SALES vice president & publisher, out MARK ISOM

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Plus (ISSN 1522-3086) is published bimonthly by equalpride. Plus is a registered trademark of equalpride.

Entire contents ©2022 by equalpride. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

chief executive o cer MARK BERRYHILL president of global growth & development MICHAEL KELLEY chief financial o cer JOE LOVEJOY chief marketing o cer MICHEL J. PELLETIER

executive vice president, brand partnerships & integrated sales STUART BROCKINGTON publisher & vice president, sales JOE VALENTINO

vice president, activations & brand partnerships TIM SNOW vice president, strategy & brand partnerships CHRISTOPHER GO creative director, brand partnerships MICHAEL LOMBARDO director, integrated sales KAYLYN BLACKMORE manager, brand partnerships ANNA CARIAS coordinator, brand partnerships JOSE CARDENAS coordinator, sales & advertising administration CARINA BUIE brand partnerships specialist ERIN MANLEY account executive, sales HENRY KRAJEWSKI

DIGITAL & SOCIAL vice president, technology & development ERIC BUI manager, social media CHRISTINE LINNELL specialist, social media JADE DELGADO

CIRCULATION director of circulation ARGUS GALINDO

ACCOUNTING controller, accounts manager PAULETTE KADIMYAN accounts receivable LORELIE YU

OPERATIONS vice president, ad operations STEWART NACHT director of audience and development BERNARD ROOK manager, ad operations TIFFANY KESDEN director of people and culture DRU FORBES executive assistant LULU DROPO

ADVERTISING & SUBSCRIPTIONS Phone (212) 242-8100 • Advertising Fax (212) 242-8338 Subscriptions Fax (212) 242-8338

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FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER

NOTES FROM THE CEO

In my last note to you, Michael Kelley and I shared our excitement and vision for the new equalpride and the return of our wonderful brands to LGBTQ+ ownership; thank you so much for the encouragement, kind words, and great ideas for our future. We have some amazing stories for you in our next issues — see what’s new below.

The Advocate Our former editor in chief, Tracy E. Gilchrist, now has her own daily streaming TV series with the Advocate Channel (read more about that in a moment).

Out Traveler We’re celebrating our one-year anniversary after relaunching in print in 2021 and next year marks the brand’s o cial 20th anniversary.

Pride.com In Pride ’s first digital cover story, the cast and creators of Freevee’s new series, High School — rockers Tegan and Sara Quin, actors Railey and Seazynn Gilliland, and executive producer Clea DuVall — open up about bringing the captivating queer coming-of-age story, based on the Quins’ memoir, to screen.

I also want to congratulate our editorial director for equalpride, Neal Broverman . He’s been with us for 18 years and this fall he received the Sarah Pettit Memorial Award for the LGBTQ Journalist of the Year from the Association of LGBTQ Journalists. Neal’s passion for equality and queer journalism makes our communities and the fight for justice stronger with his daily work.

And coming soon, our new 24/7 streaming network and brand, the Advocate Channel, advocating for all. The channel is a place for all communities to get the day’s news along with stories on equality and inclusion. Please check out AdvocateChannel.com to catch up on today’s top world and national stories.

Please email your ideas and views to advocatemarkb@equalpride. com and follow me on Twitter and IG @advocatemarkb.

Warmest Regards, Mark Berryhill Chief Executive O cer

DESIRÉE

WE END 2022 on a high note — despite another year of ups, downs, and MPX (monkeypox) mayhem. But through it all, I’m proud to say that Plus magazine has remained dedicated to bringing stories of inspiration, as well as the latest information, to the people and communities that need it most. This issue marks the one-year anniversary of my becoming this wonderful publication’s editor in chief. The amazing people I have met and experiences I’ve had throughout this journey have left me forever changed for the better.

As we move into 2023, we are excited to see how Plus will evolve along with equalpride, our parent company’s rebranded name, now under new (allLGBTQ+) ownership. In addition to Plus, equalpride will continue to produce The Advocate, Out magazine, and Out Traveler as well as Pride.com and our newest media platform, Advocate Channel.

It brings me a great deal of joy to commemorate my first year at Plus with this very special issue that celebrates World AIDS Day (page 14) and the year’s most “Amazing People Living with HIV.” Every year we honor the activists, artists, politicians, and others who have dedicated their lives to making the world a better place for those living with HIV. Check out 2022’s list of Amazing People (page 22), beginning with our cover star, Deondre Moore, an HIV activist instrumental in bringing the message of U=U (undetectable equals untransmittable) to the White House this year.

We also update you on all the latest news — including Megan Thee Stallion’s new mental health website (page 45), some good treatment news for folks living with hepatitis B and HIV (page 43), and Sir Elton John being honored by President Biden for his decades of commitment to ending HIV (page 11). And you’ll definitely want to flip to our closing article (page 46) about HIV advocate Damon L. Jacobs’s new web series that has him and his interviewees chatting it up while naked in the tub!

Thank you to all those who’ve accompanied and taught me so much during this last year at Plus. I’ve learned, like we all need to, that HIV a ects everyone. And the only way to end it once and for all is for everyone — whether it be through activism, education, research, politics, or art — to be involved in the fight.

Peace & Blessings,

DESIRÉE GUERRERO EDITOR IN CHIEF

Splendor

BY CARY ALAN JOHNSON

in the Grass

Whenit comes to getting screwed, Zogby says you’ve gotta want it. According to Zogby, if you can weather those initial moments of searing intensity (I literally saw stars the first time), then the pain of penetration transforms into a singular and exquisite pleasure. But since that night at the lake with Abdul, I guess I haven’t wanted it that bad. Sure, I think about what it would be like to give that part of me to somebody again. But for now, I guess I’m a top pending further investigation.

Tall, beefy, and brown, I give the people what they want. You’d be surprised how many White dudes fantasize about a Mandingo warrior stepping out of the jungle and into their bedrooms and aren’t afraid to tell you. Most Black guys are looking for tops, too. They want the Hard Rock brother or the B-boy fantasy that no one would suspect of being gay outside of the bedroom. It’s funny how we all seem to crave the man we want to be.

I’m on my lunch break, creeping up a trail in the Central Park Rambles. A frail October sun breaks unevenly through the canopy, dappling the ground with afternoon shadows. Skirting half-fallen branches, I pass a small white sign nailed to a wooden post. Stay on Paths. Avoid Desire Lines. The city agency that manages the park wants to keep us on the straight and narrow. They would prefer to ignore the uno cial tracks that our feet have marked in this ground. But decade after decade, desire has found the shortest distance between two points and created its own set of shortcuts.

I take a sandwich out of my bag and scarf it down in a few careless bites as thick mayonnaise coats my throat. From this height, I can see the park’s thick midsection, Seventy-Third to Seventy-Ninth streets. The green of Sheep Meadow has already faltered, and even the crimson and gold leaves that mark the trees along the Reservoir will soon give way to a stark nakedness. I toss the last

corner of my bread into a stand of brown leaves and watch as two hungry squirrels tear it to shreds.

I am not alone. Other men crisscross the paths, disappearing behind bushes and the thick trunks of trees. Most of us have come for sex, some to watch sex, and others just to have a moment away from the harsh gaze of the world. A reflection of this city—its colors, creeds, and poorly-bridged boroughs—we wander the glade in hungry silence. The only sounds are the crunch of leaves, the faint honking of taxis on Amsterdam Avenue, and the caws of lazy birds readying themselves for the long trip south.

Excerpted from Desire Lines by Cary Alan Johnson (2022, Querelle Press)

CARY ALAN JOHNSON SHARES AN EXCERPT FROM HIS ACCLAIMED NEW MEMOIR, DESIRE LINES THAT FEELS LIKE A TIME MACHINE TO 40 YEARS AGO. THE HIV-POSITIVE AUTHOR, ACTIVIST, AFRICANIST, AND FOUNDER OF SEVERAL CHARITABLE GROUPS, RECOUNTS HIS SEXUAL AND PERSONAL AWAKENING IN NEW YORK CITY IN THE DAYS RIGHT BEFORE AIDS.

Welcome to long-acting HIV treatment.

“With every-other-month CABENUVA, I’m good to go.”

Jayson Stays undetectable with CABENUVA Results may vary.

CABENUVA is the only complete, long-acting injectable prescription used to replace daily HIV pills in certain adults and adolescents who have their doctor’s approval.

Every-other-month CABENUVA is given by a healthcare provider as 2 injections, initially 1 month apart for 2 months. It works continuously to help you stay undetectable* for 2 months.

Watch Jayson’s Story

Important Facts About CABENUVA

This is only a brief summary of important information about CABENUVA and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and treatment. (kab’ en ue vah)

ABOUT CABENUVA

CABENUVA is a complete prescription regimen used to treat HIV-1 infection in adults and adolescents ≥12 years who weigh at least 77 lbs (35 kg) and are replacing their current HIV-1 treatment when their healthcare provider determines that they meet certain requirements.

HIV-1 is the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

CABENUVA contains 2 different medicines:

cabotegravir

• rilpivirine

It is not known if CABENUVA is safe and effective in children younger than 12 years of age or weighing less than 77 lbs (35 kg).

DO NOT RECEIVE CABENUVA IF YOU

• have ever had an allergic reaction to cabotegravir or rilpivirine.

• are taking the following medicines:

° carbamazepine

oxcarbazepine

phenobarbital

phenytoin

rifabutin

rifampin

rifapentine

dexamethasone (more than a single-dose treatment)

St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum)

Ask your doctor about CABENUVA

*Undetectable means the amount of HIV in the blood is below the level that can be measured by a lab test. Results may vary. Jayson has been compensated by ViiV Healthcare.

BEFORE RECEIVING CABENUVA

Tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

• have ever had a skin rash or an allergic reaction to medicines that contain cabotegravir or rilpivirine.

• have ever had liver problems, including hepatitis B or C infection.

• have ever had mental health problems.

• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if CABENUVA will harm your unborn baby. CABENUVA can remain in your body for up to 12 months or longer after the last injection.

Please see additional Important Facts About CABENUVA on the following page.

Important Facts About CABENUVA (cont'd) BEFORE RECEIVING CABENUVA (cont'd)

Tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you: (cont'd)

• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you take CABENUVA.

° You should not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby. It is not known if CABENUVA can pass to your baby in your breast milk.

° Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with CABENUVA.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some medicines interact with CABENUVA. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of medicines that interact with CABENUVA.

Do not start taking a new medicine without telling your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe to take CABENUVA with other medicines.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF CABENUVA

CABENUVA may cause serious side effects, including:

• Allergic reactions. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop a rash with CABENUVA. Stop receiving CABENUVA and get medical help right away if you develop a rash with any of the following signs or symptoms:

fever

generally ill feeling

tiredness

muscle or joint aches

trouble breathing

° blisters or sores in mouth

blisters

redness or swelling of the eyes

swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue

• Post-injection reactions have happened within minutes in some people after receiving their rilpivirine injection. Most symptoms resolved within minutes after the injection. Symptoms may include:

trouble breathing

narrowing of airways

° stomach cramps

° sweating

° numbness of your mouth

° pain (e.g., back and chest)

° feeling anxious

° feeling warm

° rash

° feeling light-headed or feeling like you are going to pass out (faint)

° blood pressure changes

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF CABENUVA (cont’d)

CABENUVA may cause serious side effects, including:(cont’d)

• Liver problems. People with a history of hepatitis B or C virus or people who have certain liver function test changes may have an increased risk of developing new or worsening changes in certain liver tests during CABENUVA treatment. Liver problems have also happened in people without history of liver problems or other risk factors. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your liver function. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop any of the following signs or symptoms of liver problems:

° your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice)

° dark or “tea-colored” urine

° light-colored stools (bowel movements)

° nausea or vomiting

° loss of appetite

° pain, aching, or tenderness on the right side of your stomach area

° itching

• Depression or mood changes. Call your healthcare provider or get emergency medical help right away if you have any of the following symptoms:

° feeling sad or hopeless

° feeling anxious or restless

° have thoughts of hurting yourself (suicide) or have tried to hurt yourself

The most common side effects of CABENUVA include:

pain, tenderness, hardened mass or lump, swelling, redness, itching, bruising, and warmth at the injection site

fever

tiredness

headache

muscle or bone pain

nausea

sleep problems

dizziness

rash

These are not all the possible side effects of CABENUVA. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

GET MORE INFORMATION

• Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Go to CABENUVA.com or call 1-877-844-8872, where you can also get FDA-approved labeling.

March 2022 CBN:4PIL

Trademarks are property of their respective owners.

©2022 ViiV Healthcare or licensor. CBRADVT220003 March 2022 Produced in USA.

A KNIGHT TO REMEMBER

ELTON JOHN, KNIGHTED DECADES AGO BY QUEEN ELIZABETH II, IS FINALLY HONORED BY A U.S. PRESIDENT FOR HIS MUSICAL CAREER AND 30+ YEARS OF HIV WORK. BY ANDREW STILLMAN

Sir Elton John has been in the music industry for more than 50 years and achieved an incredible collection of awards — including Grammys, Oscars, and a Tony — along the way. In September, however, he was “flabbergasted” to receive his first surprise award by the president of the United States.

After a performance on the South Lawn of the White House, President Joe Biden, alongside First Lady Jill Biden, presented John with the National Humanities Medal to honor his music and HIV advocacy.

“I’m humbled and honored by this incredible award from the United States of America,” John told the crowd. “I will treasure this so much.”

At the beginning of the evening, Biden touched on John’s 300 million record sales, 71 Billboard hits, six Grammy awards, two Oscars, one Tony, and countless performances across the world. Both Bidens spoke of John’s reach and inspiration before they shifted the conversation to John’s work battling the HIV epidemic. The Elton John AIDS Foundation has benefited HIV causes around the globe, doling out over $450 million in aid since launching in 1992.

At the ceremony, John said he hoped to help end HIV by 2030, while the president joked the government’s HIV spending was due to the music icon’s lobbying. “It’s all his fault that we’re spending $6 billion in taxpayer money this month to…fight HIV/AIDS,” Biden said.

At the end of John’s performance, Biden and White House military aide Bill Yang presented the award to John, referring to him as “an enduring icon and advocate with absolute courage, who found purpose to challenge convention, shatter stigma, and advance the simple truth that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.”

The theme of the event itself, “A Night When Hope and History Rhyme,” commemorated teachers, students, frontline workers, and LGBTQ+ advocates. John temporarily stepped away from his farewell tour to make time for the performance.

This was the first time John had performed at the White House since 1998 during a state dinner hosted by President Bill Clinton. The rocker was also invited to perform at Donald Trump’s 2017 inauguration, but ultimately declined by saying he didn’t feel it “appropriate.”

Elton John gets emotional as President Biden presents him with the National Humanities Medal at the White House

PLAN OF ATTACK

THE WHITE HOUSE LAYS OUT A PLAN TO END HIV BY 2030 AND, IN THE MEANTIME, IMPROVE THE LIVES OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH THE DISEASE. BY CHRISTOPHER WIGGINS

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION in August outlined its plan for fighting HIV infection and promoting access to life-saving preventative medications. In a time when experts warn that social advancements in the fight against HIV are backsliding, the National HIV and AIDS Strategy Implementation Plan (NHAS) seeks to make the United States a place where new HIV infections are prevented, all people are aware of their HIV status, and all people with HIV receive highquality care and treatment without stigma or discrimination.

The plan, which examines a whole government approach to addressing issues such as access and equity, prioritizes efforts to reduce disparities and improve HIV outcomes among LGBTQ+ people and other marginalized communities — specifically, the government targets gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, particularly Black, Latino, American Indian, and Alaska Native men. This plan also targets Black women, transgender women, and young people between 13 and 24 years old. In addition, intravenous drug users are also a focus of the administration.

“Focusing efforts on these five priority populations will reduce the HIV-related disparities they experience, which is essential if the nation is to succeed on the path toward ending the HIV epidemic by 2030,” the plan states.

The document warns that these actions are not exhaustive, as federal agencies will take various steps to support the NHAS over the next four years. However, administration o cials believe these actions will best utilize resources, capacity, and expertise to achieve significant and immediate results for HIV-positive populations.

In an interview with The Advocate (a sister publication of Plus), Harold Phillips, director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP), explained that the administration will take 380 actions across 10 departments to implement strategies to reach the 2030 target. Education and outreach are among the actions, as are self-testing and PrEP access. As an out gay Black man who has lived with HIV since 2005, Phillips was appointed to his role by President Biden last year (read more about Phillips on page 35).

As Phillips acknowledged, this year’s International AIDS Conference in Montreal sent a clear message — the world is backsliding when it comes to treating and preventing HIV — but the administration knew the extent of the decline in HIV-related services even before COVID-19 muted resource distribution.

“Last World AIDS day, President Biden released a new national HIV [and] AIDS strategy, which was a framework and a direction for the administration’s policy, research, and planning through 2025, and as part of that plan, he called for us to accelerate our e orts,” Phillips said.

Keeping the 2030 target in mind, the administration outlines a set of progress indicators it hopes to achieve by 2025. Among the eight measured targets are increasing HIV status knowledge from 85 percent to 95 percent and PrEP coverage to 50 percent from the shockingly low baseline of 13 percent in 2017.

Additionally, the plan includes five indicators to enhance the quality of life of HIV-positive people, including increasing the number of people with HIV who report good or better health and decreasing the number of people living with HIV with unmet mental health needs, hunger, unemployment, and homelessness.

“Building on lessons learned and progress made during the past decades, the United States now has the opportunity to end the HIV epidemic. The federal actions detailed in this Implementation Plan outline how we get there,” the report states.

STOCK

JUSTICE SERVED

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT of Justice settled their lawsuit against a town in Indiana, filed this April, that denied a qualified applicant for a Clarksville Police Department position due to the individual’s HIV status. The Department of Justice clarified, “This settlement reflects the Justice Department’s firm commitment to enforcing the rights of job applicants and employees who experience unlawful discrimination based on disability.”

The lawsuit alleged that the town’s police department violated Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act that prohibits an employer from discriminating against qualified individuals on the basis of disability.

U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers, representing the Southern District of Indiana, stated, “Workers living with HIV, including those in law enforcement, deserve to be free from unlawful discrimination. This settlement will ensure that qualified individuals who seek to serve their communities won’t be excluded as a result of unfounded stereotypes and misinformation about HIV. This o ce will continue to work closely with our partners in the Civil Rights Division to protect the civil rights of employees and continue the fight to uphold the hardfought protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act.”

According to the proposed terms of the negotiated agreement that is still pending court approval, the town of Clarksville must revise their policies and procedures involving employment-related medical examinations. Additionally, Clarksville must initiate additional training for relevant personnel regarding Title I of the ADA. Clarksville will also face a fine of $150,000 in compensatory damages to the complainant.

—MIKAYLA CARNEY

9.7 million:

THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT WAS FORCED TO INTERVENE WHEN AN INDIANA POLICE DEPARTMENT REJECTED AN HIV-POSITIVE CANDIDATE.

BRETT

PFENNIG/PEXELS

The number of HIV-positive people not accessing life-saving treatment.

Source: Elton John AIDS Foundation

BEYOND BORDERS

THIS WORLD AIDS DAY, LOOK OUTSIDE YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE AND SEE THAT HIV REMAINS AN EMERGENCY IN MUCH OF THE WORLD

I RECENTLY ATTENDED a fundraiser for the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (see page 16).

During the event I encountered so many inspiring people who spoke passionately about their commitment to ending HIV. It was a beautiful night from beginning to end — but of all the speeches I heard, there was one that truly resonated with me.

An advocate receiving an award spoke about HIV so boldly. She focused heavily on where we started over 40 years ago and reminded the audience that it was in America where HIV first got the world’s attention. It was in America where the world watched our citizens

be silenced and shamed. It was in America where the world watched how oppression impacts public health. It was in America where the world watched a generation of people die and the government do nothing and say nothing. It was in America that stigma was born. The most powerful and wealthy nation in the world, yet here we are.

It was an electrifying speech that got a standing ovation.

It also got me thinking about the origins of HIV. I reflected on some of the facts that many people don’t talk about. The fact that we now know the first case of HIV goes all the way back to 1959 in Congo: The

TAJUDEEN/PEXELS

fact that it is estimated that people were dying from AIDS-related complications in Africa for at least a decade before it started getting mainstream attention. The fact that America has always sat at the epicenter of the epidemic, even though there are countries with far greater challenges.

As someone who is a part of and advocates for communities most vulnerable to HIV, I will admit that often I exist in a bubble. I spend most of my time working to impact systems of care that will improve health outcomes, and I do that through a very U.S.focused approach. I live in the United States, therefore I am extremely focused on the U.S. epidemic. However, when we talk about HIV and how we do the work, it is important to not just look at America, but to take in

consideration the immense challenges other countries face and have been facing for decades. That speech magnified that for me, and it’s why World AIDS Day is so important. It creates an opportunity for everyone to pause, get out of their bubble, and acknowledge the impact that HIV has around the globe.

We acknowledge that HIV is still a major health crisis in many parts of the world and in many communities. We acknowledge that there are health inequities across the world that allow this pandemic to continue. And most importantly, we acknowledge the people. All the people who have passed, and all the people who are living.

This month for World AIDS Day we are celebrating amazing people living with HIV. I ask all of us to celebrate the amazing people all over the world living with HIV. Celebrate the people you know, and the people you don’t. Celebrate the people in America and the people across the globe. Think about what makes them truly amazing. They are amazing not just because they are living well with HIV. They are amazing because they are living life on their own terms. They are amazing because they stare stigma in the face every day and overcome it. They are amazing because they inspire others. They are amazing for existing.

This year, I commit to getting out of my bubble and looking at HIV beyond the United States of America. If you want to as well, visit ElizabethTaylorAIDSFoundation.org to see how you can help their HIV work in Africa. I want everyone on Earth living with HIV to know that they have my support and my admiration. Be happy and be well.

ASHLEY INNES is a writer and HIV advocate. Follow her on Twitter @Ash_Innes.

Purpose with a PARTY

BY PLUS EDITORS

mmy-winner Sheryl Lee Ralph ( Abbott Elementary) was the star of the show at September’s Elizabeth Taylor Ball to End AIDS fundraising gala in Los Angeles. Ralph, along with fellow superstars Charlize Theron and Colin Farrell, received the Elizabeth Taylor Commitment to End AIDS Award for their work to battle the epidemic.

“The truths are not easy, and 40 years later people want to act like it didn’t happen, but it did happen,” longtime HIV advocate Ralph said at the podium. “It was horrible. It was ugly, and it was America. And it spread to the rest of the world. And when you used your voice to speak up, people wanted to tell you, ‘You need to shut up.’”

She added, “Because some people did not use their voice, did not speak up, were silent, it has become, and still is, horrible for all of us. Forty years later, AIDS in America is still here. Raise your voice, do the work, decriminalize it, and open up your heart and your minds to people who do not look like you.”

Ralph, a beloved actress who was one of Broadway’s original Dreamgirls, has worked for decades to ensure resources for people living with HIV. Fresh o her Emmy win for her role in Abbott Elementary, Ralph attended the ceremony with her son and daughter-in-law.

Gilead Sciences and BVLGARI served as sponsors at the fundraiser, and celebrities like Jennifer Tilly, Paris Jackson, and Evan Ross were in attendance.

Visit elizabethtayloraidsfoundation.com to find out more about their work.

GEORGE RINHART/GETTY IMAGES (TAYLOR);

MICHAEL KOVAC/GETTY IMAGES FOR THE ELIZABETH TAYLOR AIDS FOUNDATION (RALPH AND O’DAY)

Gilead Sciences CEO Daniel O’Day speaks onstage during The Elizabeth Taylor Ball To End AIDS

(Left) The iconic Elizabeth Taylor (Right) Honoree Sheryl Lee Ralph speaks onstage during The Elizabeth Taylor Ball to End AIDS

WITH THE WORST OF COVID BEHIND US, IMPORTANT FUNDRAISERS LIKE THE ELIZABETH TAYLOR BALL TO END AIDS RETURN TO THE STAGE.

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IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT APRETUDE

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MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT APRETUDE

Important information for people who receive APRETUDE to help reduce their risk of getting human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection, also called pre-exposure prophylaxis or “PrEP”:

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MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT APRETUDE (cont'd) Before receiving APRETUDE to reduce your risk of getting HIV-1:

• You must be HIV-1 negative to start APRETUDE. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1 infection.

• Do not receive APRETUDE for HIV-1 PrEP unless you are confirmed to be HIV-1 negative.

• Some HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. If you have flu-like symptoms, you could have recently become infected with HIV-1. Tell your healthcare provider if

IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT APRETUDE (cont'd)

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT APRETUDE (cont'd)

While you are receiving APRETUDE for HIV-1 PrEP:

• APRETUDE does not prevent other sexually transmitted infections. Practice safer sex by using a latex or polyurethane condom to reduce the risk of getting sexually transmitted infections.

• You must stay HIV-1 negative to keep receiving APRETUDE for HIV-1 PrEP.

° Know your HIV-1 status and the HIV-1 status of your partners.

° Ask your partners with HIV-1 if they are taking anti-HIV-1 medicines and have an undetectable viral load. An undetectable viral load is when the amount of virus in the blood is too low to be measured in a lab test. To maintain an undetectable viral load, your partners must keep taking HIV-1 medicine as prescribed. Your risk of getting HIV-1 is lower if your partners with HIV-1 are taking effective treatment.

° Get tested for HIV-1 with each APRETUDE injection or when your healthcare provider tells you. You should not miss any HIV-1 tests. If you become HIV-1 infected and continue receiving APRETUDE because you do not know you are HIV-1 infected, the HIV-1 infection may become harder to treat.

° Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. These infections make it easier for HIV-1 to infect you.

° If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. They may want to do more tests to be sure you are still HIV-1 negative.

° Get information and support to help reduce sexual risk behaviors.

° Do not miss any injections of APRETUDE. Missing injections increases your risk of getting HIV-1 infection.

° If you do become HIV-1 positive, you will need to take other medicines to treat HIV-1. APRETUDE is not approved for treatment of HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and receive only APRETUDE, over time your HIV-1 may become harder to treat.

ABOUT APRETUDE

APRETUDE is a prescription medicine used for HIV-1 PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection in adults and adolescents who weigh at least 77 pounds (at least 35 kg). HIV-1 is the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). It is not known if APRETUDE is safe and effective in children younger than 12 years of age or weighing less than 77 pounds (less than 35 kg).

DO NOT RECEIVE APRETUDE IF YOU:

• already have HIV-1 infection. If you are HIV-1 positive, you will need to take other medicines to treat HIV-1. APRETUDE is not approved for treatment of HIV-1.

• do not know your HIV-1 infection status. You may already be HIV-1 positive. You need to take other medicines to treat HIV-1. APRETUDE can only help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection before you are infected.

• are allergic to cabotegravir.

• are taking any of the following medicines: carbamazepine; oxcarbazepine; phenobarbital; phenytoin; rifampin; rifapentine.

BEFORE RECEIVING APRETUDE

Tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

• have ever had a skin rash or an allergic reaction to medicines that contain cabotegravir.

• have or have had liver problems.

• have ever had mental health problems.

• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if APRETUDE will harm your unborn baby. APRETUDE can remain in your body for up to 12 months or longer after the last injection. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while receiving APRETUDE.

BEFORE RECEIVING APRETUDE (cont'd)

• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if APRETUDE can pass to your baby in your breast milk. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while receiving APRETUDE.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some medicines may interact with APRETUDE. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of medicines that interact with APRETUDE. Do not start a new medicine without telling your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe to receive APRETUDE with other medicines.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF APRETUDE

APRETUDE may cause serious side effects, including:

• Allergic reactions. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop a rash with APRETUDE. Stop receiving APRETUDE and get medical help right away if you develop a rash with any of the following signs or symptoms: fever; generally ill feeling; tiredness; muscle or joint aches; trouble breathing; blisters or sores in mouth; blisters; redness or swelling of the eyes; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue.

• Liver problems. Liver problems have happened in people with or without a history of liver problems or other risk factors. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your liver function. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop any of the following signs or symptoms of liver problems: your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice); dark or "tea-colored" urine; lightcolored stools (bowel movements); nausea or vomiting; loss of appetite; pain, aching, or tenderness on the right side of your stomach area; itching.

• Depression or mood changes. Call your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if you have any of the following symptoms: feeling sad or hopeless; feeling anxious or restless; have thoughts of hurting yourself (suicide) or have tried to hurt yourself.

The most common side effects of APRETUDE include: pain, tenderness, hardened mass or lump, swelling, bruising, redness, itching, warmth, loss of sensation at the injection site, abscess, and discoloration; diarrhea; headache; fever; tiredness; sleep problems; nausea; dizziness; passing gas; stomach pain; vomiting; muscle pain; rash; loss of appetite; drowsiness; back pain; upper respiratory infection.

the possible side effects of

1-800-FDA-1088.

LIQUID Gold

BY MIKAYLA CARNEY

A NEW ART COLLECTION ADDRESSES THE U.S. GOVERNMENT’S STIGMATIZING RESTRICTIONS ON BLOOD DONATIONS BY GAY AND BI MEN.

Over AIDS

fears, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1985 put a lifetime ban on the use of blood donations from men who have sex with men (MSM). Though the government agency has since relaxed guidelines, allowing MSM to donate if they’ve abstained from gay sex for the past three months, other nations have completely lifted such prohibitions. Activists say any limit on MSM donation favors stigma over science.

To address the continued injustice, creative company MOTHER recently launched the Gay Blood Collection during this fall’s New York Fashion Week. This collection of art tools are a proactive and progressive stride towards ending the stigma surrounding gay and bisexual blood.

This first-of-its-time collection created a unique ink from MSM blood in collaboration with pigment artist Stuart Semple, with the intention to drive attention and raise awareness on this issue. All profits from the Gay Blood Collection benefit Callen-Lorde, a New York-based community health center focusing on LGBTQ+ and HIV-positive patients.

The collection includes Gay Blood Acrylic Paint, Gay Blood Fountain Pen, Gay Blood Paint Pen, Gay Blood Screen printing ink, and Gay Blood Spray Paint. This collection uses small traces of blood and is safe to use, wear, and handle.

Coming soon to the collection is the collaboration of gay public figures including Gus Kenworthy, Milan Zrnic, Daniel Ortiz, and Mikel Welch. Kenworthy is using his Olympic status to draw attention to the Gay Blood collection with a hand-painted design on limited edition Pride ski goggles. Zrnic is using his skill as a fashion photographer to create a custom print on a vintage blazer. Welch is taking his talents in interior design to upgrade his creative space with an original acrylic paint piece for his home.

To find out more about the Gay Blood Collection, visit mother-goods.com.

CARINA KÖNIG/EYEEM

Amazing of the with PeopleYearHIVLiving

BY PLUS EDITORS

THIS BEAUTIFUL CROSS-SECTION OF HUMANITY IS BETTERING THE WORLD BY FIGHTING FOR MORE HEALTH CARE, INCREASED ACCESS TO TREATMENT, AND AN END TO STIGMA.

Powerful VOICE A Powerful VOICE A

THIS GAY, BLACK 28-YEAR-OLD SUCCESSFULLY HELPED BRING THE MESSAGE OF U=U TO THE WHITE HOUSE. AND HE’S JUST GETTING STARTED.

BY DESIRÉE GUERRERO + PHOTOGRAPHY BY KOLLIN BENSON

This year was big for Deondre Moore.

While the community engagement expert and public speaker has been dedicated to helping improve the lives of people living with HIV for nearly a decade now, this year Moore — in addition to being honored by LGBTQ+ organization GLAAD — was able to bring his message all the way to the White House.

As a partnerships and community engagement manager for the Prevention Access campaign (PAC), Moore was instrumental in getting the Biden administration to o cially endorse the U=U movement.

PAC was originally founded in 2016 by activist Bruce Richman with a goal of creating awareness around U=U, or “undetectable equals untransmittable.” U=U is a scientifically proven fact which states that an HIV-positive person who is on treatment and has an undetectable viral load has zero chance of transmitting the virus to a sexual partner, even without the use of a condom. This fact has been incredibly freeing and stigma-reducing for people living with HIV and speaks to the importance of drug adherence — so Moore and PAC’s goal is to spread the word.

In addition to our federal government, U=U is now also endorsed by over 1,000 organizations in 105 countries, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Moore says if he had to describe this past year and the work he’s done in three words, they would be: “policy, partnerships, people.” He explains how public comments he made at the President’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) meeting this past March would set the wheels into motion of bringing the message of U=U to the White House.

“Please recommend that the White House officially endorse U=U, so that the U.S. can join Canada, Vietnam, and other countries across the globe in choosing science over stigma,” said Moore at the PACHA meeting. “With your leadership and support, we can measure, optimize, and scale up the impact U=U has on improving the health, well-being, and emotional wellness of people living with HIV. This will also prevent new transmissions. Embracing U=U is a win-win.”

Moore says things moved swiftly after that.

“The following week I was approached by the [White House’s] Office of National AIDS Policy to provide my written transcript [of my comments] to share with them,” Moore says. “Which is what sparked the beginning of conversations with HHS, Dr. Fauci, and the CDC to coordinate a collaborative e ort with U=U to announce their support and plans to integrate U=U into programming and federal guidelines.”

The White House o cially announced its endorsement of U=U and its planned implementation of it into all related

HIV programs at the International AIDS Society’s AIDS 2022 conference in July. For his integral role in pushing the U=U initiative as well as his near decade-long career in activism and community leadership, Moore was also honored with a GLAAD Award in May.

And of course, Moore wants to “credit the entire U=U team” at PAC, which he says has plans to restructure and expand in 2023.

He explains that PAC’s U.S. team is currently “undergoing some rebranding, renaming, and restructuring. As we grow, our commitment and mission also grow. We realized that over the past six years our organization has made some huge strides, and now it is time to take

Activist Deondre Moore uses milk to help relieve the pain of pepper spray used by police on a crowd of peaceful protestors at a BLM demonstration earlier this year

BRYAN BEDDER/GETTY

IMAGES (MOORE); CINDY

ORD/GETTY IMAGES (GROUP)

TOP Moore speaks onstage during the

GLAAD Media Awards; BOTTOM (L-R) PAC founder Bruce Richman, Jesse Milan,

Fryer, Moore, and

Derrazi attend the

things up a notch. We plan to expand our focus and reach to becoming more inclusive of ‘status neutral’ work and directions to further advance our goals of ending the HIV epidemic in the United States.”

“We also want to ensure our community members and stakeholders have a say in what our path forward looks like and will be engaging with them over the next few months to hear the needs of those we serve,” adds Moore. “So for now, we will continue to be known as the U=U organization in the United States.”

Considering Moore is just 28, it’s pretty amazing to see how far he’s come. But that seems at least partly due to the go-getter’s nature to take action rather than a backseat in life — which is exactly what he did when he was diagnosed with HIV as a 19-year-old college student.

After absorbing the initial shock of his diagnosis and receiving the love and support of his mother, Moore says his instinct was to help others going through the same thing. He started with providing peer outreach and support for other young people living with HIV on his college campus. By speaking out and not hiding his diagnosis, Moore says he felt “layers of shame [and] layers of weight being lifted off my shoulders” and realized that there were others out there “who might not have the same support — but they need to know that they’re still loved and that they still matter, and they’re valued.”

With many of his peers still partying and just starting to ponder their futures, Moore admits that his level of ambition and activism (which has included getting shot in the chest with rubber bullets by police for peacefully

protesting at a BLM demonstration in Minneapolis this year) can be exhausting and draining at times. He often must remind himself to practice self-care.

“Even this past birthday, I spent it in the house,” he says. “I try to find time to disconnect from things and folks when I can. Typically, I always still have my laptop with me, or I’ll check my emails here and there, but my biggest self-care practice for me is traveling outside of work travel. I do travel a lot already, about 60 percent of the year because of work, but I try to find some time for personal travel — or at least personal time to enjoy the cities or countries that I’m in.”

As for the future, Moore says he sees himself continuing to create progress and change on a political level.

“I definitely, absolutely do think that there’s a future for me in politics and the political sphere,” says Moore excitedly. “I’ve always wanted to be involved in politics and doing this work makes me even more passionate about it...from the Black Lives Matter process to human rights activism to fighting for women’s rights — and just human rights.”

OLIVER SIM

As part of critically-acclaimed British electronica group the xx, Oliver Sim is a hero to many Millennials and Gen Zers. So it was a huge deal when Sim, 33, not only opened up about living with HIV for over 16 years, but incorporated it into his music.

“Why don’t you leave me in the dirt? / That I’ve been sick and I’m perverse / Oh, I’m hideous,” Sim sings in “Hideous,” the lead single o his recently-released solo debut, Hideous Bastard . “Radical honesty / Might set me free / If it makes me hideous / Been living with HIV / Since seventeen / Am I hideous?”

The “Hideous” video expands on those themes of shame and self-loathing, with Sim covered in makeup and prosthetics that make him look like the monster in Beauty and the Beast. A young man tells the “beast” he’s “so sexy” and moves to kiss him, but Sim’s alter ego retreats.

Sim wants his fans to know that “Hideous” and the whole album represent a personal evolution in real time — he still struggles with self-esteem and loving himself fully, something that many people living with HIV recognize.

“Also, I’ve made an album about fear and shame to unburden myself –but I still have fear, I still have shame, I’m not a finished product,” Sim told The Guardian. “I don’t want to put myself in a position where I’m trying to present myself as one. I’m on a journey — but I’m willing to talk. To some degree.”

Part of that talking involved meeting with the Terrence Higgins Trust, one of the most prominent HIV organizations in the United Kingdom. He asked representatives there to arm him with the most accurate information on the disease, but they told him that no one is expecting him to speak in interviews like he’s a health minister; he’s an artist, and he

should first and foremost share his emotions on HIV truthfully.

Sim got some lessons in communication from Jimmy Somerville, the legendary gay singer from the ’80s band Bronski Beat. Somerville lent his vocals to “Hideous” and they quickly became close friends. Sim is clearly in awe of Somerville’s decades of activism.

“There are videos of him on YouTube in the early ‘90s on breakfast television talking about things that nobody wanted to talk about — he was repeatedly saying: ‘HIV,’ ‘AIDS,’ and ‘gay,’ and he was saying this to British families eating their breakfast,” Sims said. “I assumed he was a fearless person, but having got to know him, he’s not that — he is full of fear, which makes everything he has done so much more meaningful.”

Sim may not be yet ready to fully take on Somerville’s mantle, but he’s pushing through his own fear to craft breathtakingly honest music that refuses to dance around HIV.

DEIRDRE JOHNSON

It’s easy to feel like an underachiever when looking at Deirdre Johnson’s résumé. The 47-year-old Virginian is the cofounder of the group Ending Criminalization of HIV and Overincarceration in Virginia; she’s the state lead for Positive Women’s Network-USA, a U=U ambassador, and part of ViiV Pharmaceuticals’ Black Women’s Working Group that created the campaign Risk to Reasons, which aims “to retire to word risk and replace it with reasons for HIV prevention, taking control of our total health and body autonomy.”

If that wasn’t enough, Johnson serves as the AMP microgrant assistant for the Sero Project and founded Pillow Talk, a national support group for people living with HIV.

Johnson, who’s been living with HIV for 22 years, cites Risk to Reasons as one of her proudest accomplishments this year, describing it as a “game changer for Black cis and trans women across the country.” She adds that “for the first time, we are putting Black women at the forefront of the HIV movement.”

Her work with Sero Project and helping oversee grants that fund grassroots projects is also a source of pride for Johnson.

“It has been a lifelong dream to come from out of outreach and move to the table of decision-making and providing funding for individuals that may not be attached to an agency or organization,” she says.

Creating Pillow Talk, a nationwide HIV support group that meets virtually every week, ranks as Johnson’s favorite project this year. The only requirement for participation is to be living with HIV. For the two-hour sessions, folks “relax, get support, and have an amazing time just being who we are.” Johnson says the participants, of which there are nearly 200, “are a family.”

Johnson is fine being called a leader in the HIV field but she simply sees herself “as someone that has passionately dedicated my life to create change in the world.” Johnson would not have able to accomplish so much without friends and mentors who supported her along the way.

“I would not be here if it was not for each of those that have poured into me to become a better person, advocate, activist and leader,” says Johnson. “There are so many names I could insert but know I would miss someone — but what I can say is that the Black LGBTQIIA+ family and Black women have been a major support and guide for why I do the work that I do.”

CLIFFORD KING

One look at Clifford King’s astounding photographs makes it easy to understand why the esteemed magazine The New Yorker heaped praise on him this year and beloved gay publication Butt recently relaunched with a cover featuring his handiwork. King, just shy of 30, captures Black men in love, in pain, in pleasure, in life. There is mystery in nearly all of his images, urging the viewer to linger and try to understand what is happening, what happened, and what King is trying to tell us.

King’s identity as a Black and Hispanic gay man shapes his photographs. While many of his subjects are sexy, fit, and young, they are not captured in a mainstream glamorous style; instead, some stare o into the distance, glare at the camera, and many don’t even look at the photographer at all, busying themselves with hugging, kissing, and caressing each other.

King, who grew up in Tucson, Ariz., before moving to Portland, Ore., has been living with HIV since 2018. His status is also central to his work. “Night Sweats” just features sheets and pillowcases soaked through; a result of his newfound diagnosis. Another photograph from 2018, “Orange Peel and Biktarvy,” illustrates King’s new morning routine. Is he unhappy about his new reality? Resigned? Determined? It’s for the viewer to figure out and layer on their own experiences.

Apart from magazines applauding King, the artist says that completing a short film for Visual AIDS, an art organization focused on HIV, was his proudest accomplishment of this year — as well as “further unpacking and acknowledging my [personal] traumas.”

King isn’t necessarily looking to be a role model for people living with HIV, but it’s easy to see why so many would look up to him, with all the honesty and beauty he brings to the world.

King says he hopes others see him “more so a person who is open with their status and expressing their journey within their work — to move away from stigma and normalize this condition without so much anxiety and fear.”

HAROLD PHILLIPS

Over the past 17 years, Harold Phillips gained a valuable perspective on living fully with an HIV diagnosis that once seemed grim.

As a member of the Biden-Harris administration and director of the White House O ce of National AIDS Policy, he collaborates with the scientific and policy communities to develop, release, and implement the National HIV and AIDS Strategy.

Through his work, he ensures the nation’s HIV response is accelerated and comprehensive and reflects the lived experience of those at risk and living with HIV. His department’s goal is to reduce HIV transmissions, improve the quality of life for people living with HIV, and end the epidemic.

“It’s both an honor and humbling to be named to the list,” Phillips says.

One of his most notable accomplishments this year was attending the International AIDS Conference in Montreal alongside Admiral Rachel Levine, the assistant secretary of Health and Human Services.

“Admiral Rachel Levine and I announced the United States’ work to fully embrace and incorporate the Undetectable = Untransmittable language into our work to combat HIV stigma and encourage people to know their HIV status and to get into HIV treatment,” Phillips says.

Phillips knows how anxious it can be to seek treatment and information about one’s HIV status.

“When I received my HIV diagnosis, it was a dark time in my life,” Phillips says. “Luckily and with the support of family, friends, and some work on my part, I used my HIV status to open a new chapter in the book of my life and committed to use my knowledge and lived experience to change health systems and create new pathways for HIV prevention and care. I hope that as a leader in the HIV movement, people with HIV get to see that with HIV treatment, this is not a death sentence, and you can create new dreams and lead a full life. I had many mentors, some who are no longer here, and so as a leader, I am hoping to pass this on to others.”

The COVID pandemic accentuated several of the inequities found within the health care system, Phillips says.

“A lot of my energy to keep going comes from the community. To be recognized as one of the people working to address these disparities and inequities to make the world a better place for people living with HIV will help fuel me to keep up the fight for justice and health care access.

DANNY PINTAURO

When Danny Pintauro — who starred as a child in the iconic 1980s sitcom Who’s the Boss? as well as the film adaptation of the Stephen King classic Cujo — told Oprah Winfrey in 2015 he was HIV-positive (and formerly addicted to crystal meth) he was paralyzed with fear.

“It used to be hard to walk down the street without someone recognizing me, and that was initially because I was on Who’s the Boss?,” Pintauro told People last year. “Then it was, ‘He was on Who’s the Boss? and he’s gay.’ Now, it was going to be, ‘He was on Who’s the Boss?, he’s gay, and he’s another one of those HIV-positive guys. That was a little bit terrifying, but it didn’t really make me second guess it because I’m much happier as a person with no secrets.”

In the seven years since disclosing his status, Pintauro has been freed of the shame that haunted him for years. Pintauro is married and living in Austin, Texas, where he works as a veterinarian technician, teaches acting, and still finds time to act himself — he stars in the upcoming Lifetime holiday film A Country Christmas Harmony alongside Brooke Elliott and Luke Covington. There’s even a Who’s the Boss? reboot in the works (though Pintauro hadn’t yet signed on as of press time). The actor could never had dreamed he’d be living such a full life when he was in the throes of addiction in the early 2000s. It was being honest about his life and his diagnosis that allowed all the good things to start happening.

If he could tell his younger self anything it would be, “Just relax and take a deep breath. In 10 years from now, you’re going to be married, undetectable, very healthy and very happy, and living life to the fullest,” he said last year. “I think that’s not unique to me. Anyone who has a secret that they’re going to share, or an issue that they’re trying to deal with, it’s always going to be better, especially if you believe that and especially if you do the work to get there.”

COUTRESY (PHILLIPS); GETTY IMAGES (PINTAURO)

ANNAH SANGO

Activist working mom Annah Sango could make even the most ambitious person feel like they’re not doing enough. But Sango, 34, is not here to make anyone feel less than — her mission in life is to uplift others, especially women living with HIV.

Sango, based in the Zimbabwean capital of Harare, is an advocacy o cer at the Global Network of People Living with HIV. Sango’s organization, serving and sta ed by PLWH, works to battle anti-HIV stigma and to expand treatment and care. Living with HIV for nearly 15 years, Sango has channeled her diagnosis into activism through her work. In addition to her work at GNP+, Sango has served on several groups and initiatives, including the Country Coordinating Mechanism, The Global Fund’s Community Rights and Gender working group, and the Ready to Lead project.

Her proudest moment this year was speaking at the International AIDS Conference in Montreal about reproductive rights and new prevention technologies for cisgender women.

“To be able to hold space and speak on behalf of my peers to policy and decisionmakers is an amazingly privileged opportunity,” Sango says. “The mere opportunity of being a community voice and to hold accountable all those responsible is a big contribution to the HIV agenda.”

Balancing her career and caring for her two sons is not simple, but Sango always makes time for her mental health. “I always need to take time out to take care of me,” she says.

Sango holds a lot of respect for those who also balance it all and expresses appreciation when HIV advocates are recognized for their contributions.

“It is really encouraging that you take time to honor the di erent individuals that navigate through life, family, work, and still have the strength to represent their peers,” she says. “Sometimes no one recognizes the sacrifice and time and energy put into it all.”

AXEL BAUTISTA

Not many equate an HIV diagnosis with freedom, but that is exactly what activist, influencer, and groundbreaker Axel Bautista was able to find after he was diagnosed.

Turning 30 in November, and based in Mexico City, Bautista discovered purpose and self-expression through his podcast Platicando en Positivo, or Talking Positive. The series discusses life with HIV through discussions with experts and people living with the virus.

Bautista is changing lives and helping to reduce stigma through Platicando en Positivo . Bautista says that thanks to this work, he’s been able to travel and be a part of of Sidosidades Maricas (HIV+ Fags) gatherings — community gettogethers for other queers with HIV. The group “represents much of what I think about HIV: resistance, community, history, pride, visibility, freedom, and rebellion.”

ANDREW BECKERMAN

Having received his diagnosis in 2014, Bautista doesn’t consider himself a leader, however, “it gives me great satisfaction, happiness, and emotion, to know that part of the work I do, the reflections I share, the ideas I think, the actions I join and in which I collaborate, or, even the craziness that drives me to work can echo in other people’s minds and hearts….I can say that my goal is to constantly build my paths towards what I believe to be a better, calmer, more relaxed and more loving life. If that path also serves as a guide for others, whether today or in the future, great and beautiful, because sometimes our lives go beyond what we can see, feel, or witness.”

He adds, “The virus has also meant a powerful reason for me to talk about social justice, inequality and violence, where I will always give priority to the struggle, the community and the resistance that HIV-positive people make. It has helped me break the silence. Thanks HIV.”

Architect-turned-philanthropist

Andrew Beckerman is proud to call himself Canada’s longest living person with undetectable HIV.

Beckerman is also 16 years old — at least, that’s how he celebrates his Canadian citizenship. With the promise of better care and a better life, Beckerman emigrated from the U.S. and hasn’t turned back. He has now been living with HIV for more than 42 years and credits his health to treatment access.

“I have been living with HIV since I was infected in the first seven months of 1980,” Beckerman says. “I have had an undetectable viral load since November 1, 1995, thanks to my good fortune to receive one of the 1,400 places in the USA for the trial for the first effective HAART medication: Crixivan. So, unless anyone from the fortunate coterie of 1,400 has immigrated to Canada as I have, it would appear that I have the longest via HAART undetectable viral load in Canada!”

In 2022, Beckerman says he celebrated two accomplishments. The first was being named the recipient of one of 75 Government of Canada and AIDS Canada scholarships to attend AIDS 2022, the international AIDS conference, in Montreal this summer. At the conference, Beckerman spoke

eloquently, passionately, and with humor at several panels.

“I [also] received from the province where I live a ‘British Columbia Medal for Good Citizenship’ [and] I received from the City where I live a ‘City of Victoria Honorary Citizenship,’” the HIV champion says of his other 2022 accomplishments.

Beckerman moved to Victoria, British Columbia, from New Mexico in 2006 and started speaking out about his HIV status. Over the years, he has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to marginalized charities. Beckerman feels he is repaying his good fortune and favor by giving to those in need.

In 1990, when he bought his first computer, a Macintosh, the salesperson arranged for a stockbroker to meet him. Beckerman bought 100 shares for $3,000, despite not having an interest in stocks then. That fateful decision made Beckerman a very wealthy man.

“I have been able, due to my own personal situation, to have been one of the public faces of HIV, both in the USA and now for over 16 years in Canada,” Beckerman says. “I appreciate that being out about one’s HIV status is not possible for all. I am honored that I can raise my voice in public on behalf of those who yet cannot.”

JAVIER MUÑOZ

After launching into international stardom in the smash Broadway hit Hamilton, Muñoz also proved himself to be a staunch activist by using his profile to highlight issues like HIV, #MeToo, and national health care.

As a Latino gay man living with HIV who is also a cancer survivor, Muñoz has a perspective that crosses many intersections. He has worked with such organizations like Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC), RED, and the Latino Commission on AIDS for many years. He also helped organize the Broadway Relief Project — a coalition created in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the sudden shortage of PPE (personal protection equipment).

These days Munoz continues to be a force on the stage, screen, and the frontlines of HIV advocacy, especially within the Latine community.

“It is important to discuss HIV within Latine/Latinx communities because, like all marginalized communities and minority groups, we are often neglected and left without proper resources regarding our welfare,” says Munoz, who participated in Love in Gravity this year, a new podcast focused on removing the stigma around HIV through powerful storytelling.

Muñoz also doesn’t shy away from bringing the cultural obstacles and issues facing his community to light.

“My Latine community is predominantly conservative and too scared to have open discussions, with facts and not religiousbased judgments, about everything surrounding safe and healthy sex practices,” Muñoz says. “Without these conversations, equal and a ordable access to all types of preventative care, and separating beliefs from reality — the number of cases of HIV will keep rising in our Latine community. We become our own obstacle when we cannot stand united as a community to fight for and advocate for the basic needs to live a healthy life.”

On the state of the battle against HIV today, Munoz says, “The world is not only misinformed about HIV but there’s also this lingering belief that the fight is over…. If you are a sexually active human being and still do not know how HIV is transmitted and that undetectable equals untransmittable [U=U], then you are part of — and perpetuating — the problem.”

“Lifting moral judgments and leaning into our shared humanity, while also having accurate information and consistently a ordable access to prevention, treatment, care, and medication, is how we stop this virus,” he concludes. “That is a beautiful possibility to see on the horizon, but it requires all of us.”

Amazing People Living with HIV: FAME ofHALL

OVER THE LAST 8 YEARS, WE HAVE PROFILED HUNDREDS OF AMAZING PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV IN PLUS ’S ANNUAL CELEBRATORY LIST. WHILE, IN ADDITION TO THEM, COUNTLESS THOUSANDS WORK TIRELESSLY AROUND THE GLOBE EVERY DAY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV — HERE ARE JUST A FEW HONORABLE MENTIONS OF FOLKS WHO’VE PREVIOUSLY LANDED ON OUR LIST AND REMAIN DEDICATED TO THE FIGHT.

ONGINA, 2014

Drag entertainer Ongina is no stranger to leading the pack in life. She was on the very first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, was one of the first reality stars to come out on TV about living with HIV — and was on Plus magazine’s first list of Amazing People Living with HIV back in 2014!

Though the talented and adorable FilipinoAmerican entertainer (who, like most queens, uses she/her pronouns when in drag) did not win the reality competition back in 2009, she made history in her own way. After winning a challenge which entailed creating a public service announcement about HIV, Ongina broke down on the main stage and disclosed her status in a moving speech that had everyone in the room in tears — including host RuPaul.

When she graced the cover of Plus in 2017, Ongina reflected on the emotional moment, saying “coming out publicly about my HIV status wasn’t because I had a plan for it. It was because I won a challenge that was so close to my heart.”

“At one point, I was really ashamed of being HIV-positive,” she added. “[After being diagnosed], I didn’t want to have a sexual relationship, I didn’t

want to talk about it. I was in denial, I was depressed.” And then she says that “something in my system just switched and said, You know what? I can’t be like this anymore. I’m not this person! ”

After returning to the Drag Race franchise for All Stars season 5 in 2019, Ongina’s star power has only continued to rise. These days she stays busy performing all over the globe, has nearly half a million followers on Instagram alone, and continues to be an advocate for others living with HIV through organizations like amfAR. She’s also got to flex her acting chops in Netflix’s AJ and the Queen and recently landed a role in a film about conversion therapy called Unfix, due out in 2023, in which she’ll play an “LGBTQ+ advocate,” according to IMDB. —DESIRÉE GUERRERO

VENITA RAY, 2016

Venita Ray was celebrated as one of Plus’s Most Amazing People Living with HIV in 2016. Once a teen mom struggling with addiction, Ray eventually got clean, raised her daughter alone, worked full time, and put herself through law school.

“I thought that growing up in an alcoholic, dysfunctional home, becoming a teen mother at 15, dropping out of high school, getting sober from drugs and alcohol at 28, and being a single parent working every day and going to school at night for 10 years…were the greatest struggles in my life,” Ray told Plus at the time.

But in 2003 — as a 44-year-old Black woman with 18 years of sobriety who had just started her dream job as an attorney in Washington, D.C. — she was diagnosed with HIV.

While she admits it was a struggle, Ray says she was able to come to terms with her HIV diagnosis and be open about her status “because of the courage of others before more. It is my honor to know that I can be that source of inspiration for others.”

Since then, Ray has dedicated her life to helping others living with HIV. Her many contributions to the cause over the years include partnering with TPAN and Positively Aware to help create “A Day With HIV,” a photo campaign that fights HIV stigma; working with Houston’s Legacy Community Health as a public a airs field specialist; and developing Legacy’s Positive Organizing Project, which trains HIV-positive people to become political advocates.

Currently she serves as co-executive director of PWN (Positive Women’s Network), a membership-based support organization for women living with HIV.

“We all are at di erent places in acceptance of being HIV-positive and deciding where and how to get involved,” Ray says. “I love watching others go from shame to acceptance — to realizing they are part of the movement of strong activists around the world.”

—SAVAS ABADSIDIS

REGAN HOFMAN, 2016

Regan Hofmann has made it her mission to fight fear and stigma. She’s been doing so since she appeared on the cover of POZ magazine in 2006, above the words: “I am no longer afraid to say I have HIV.”

Ten years later, when she was named as one of Plus’s Most Amazing People Living with HIV, Hofmann admitted that, even in that moment, she had still been afraid: “My fear of HIV-related stigma and how that would impact my family, friends, and myself was so powerful initially, that for 10 years after my diagnosis I only told a tiny group.”

“There is nothing shameful about having HIV,” she added. “I came to realize that I didn’t do anything for which I should be vilified. After all, what had I done? I had unprotected sex with someone I trusted and cared for. I did what each of our mothers have done. That the virus was present when I made that choice and not when others did doesn’t make me a bad person — it makes me a biologically unlucky one.”

Hofmann broke the mold by showing the world that HIV isn’t solely a gay man’s disease, but a universal one — a journey beautifully covered in her memoir I Have Something to Tell You.

In her career as an HIV advocate, Hofmann has made a tremendous impact on HIV policy, first as a board member of amfAR (The Foundation for AIDS Research) and then as a policy o cer in UNAIDS (The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS). She’s also frequently and fearlessly stood in front of Congress, the White House, and the nation’s TV viewers on various news and talk programs to discuss the issues that surround living with HIV.

In December of 2021, Hofmann was promoted to the role of senior adviser of policy, advocacy, and knowledge at UNAIDS.

“If HIV carried no stigma, more of us living with HIV would know our status and access the treatment that not only keeps us healthy but that also suppresses our viral loads so we are virtually non-infectious,” Hofmann added, referring the scientific fact now known as U=U (undetectable equals untransmittable). “Those who contribute to HIV-related stigma undermine our ability to resolve the pandemic. As stigma is largely fueled by fear, we must continue to educate people about the latest scientific facts to help them move from fear to compassion.” —DAVID ARTAVIA

JESÚS GUILLÉN, 2018

In 2018, we honored San Francisco’s Jesús Guillén — a talented musician and vocalist, photographer, spiritual healer, and long-term survivor of HIV — as one of our Most Amazing People of the Year. Born in San Luis Potosi, in central Mexico, Guillén says, “I’m literally a jungle boy.” He grew up in a stone house in the small rural town of about 200 people and “no cars.”

Guillén knew he was gay as a child but felt unable to come out until he came to America in the mid-1980s. Hoping to obtain citizenship through President Ronald Reagan’s amnesty program, Guillén learned a blood test was required and being HIV-positive would get him deported. He had only just learned of his diagnosis and had told no one — until he asked a friend to take the blood test for him. He says he feels no guilt over having done so because he felt that his life depended upon it.

“Going back to my country being positive, I would die. Why would I come out [about living with HIV] when they would tell me to leave?”

After living with HIV for over 30 years now, Guillén unfortunately suffers from some of the ailments common to long-term survivors. He is disabled from neuropathy (a form of nerve damage), a side effect from an early drug regimen that was used to treat HIV before today’s highly effective antiretrovirals came along. Guillén also went through a brutal battle with lymphoma and suffers from

EMIL WILBEKIN, 2019

PTSD and survivor’s guilt. Mental health issues are why Guillén founded his Facebook group, HIV Long-Term Survivors, a few years ago (now over 5,000 members strong).

“I like to think that we are helping with the main problems [for long-term survivors] of isolation and loneliness,” he says.

Guillén appeared in Last Men Standing, the 2016 awardwinning documentary fi lm about long-term survivors. He works as a consultant on aging and HIV through numerous organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area and continues to pursue his creative passions. —DG

Trailblazing media mogul Emil Wilbekin was the cover star of Plus ’s 2019 Amazing People Living with HIV issue.

For years, Wilbekin has been carving out a space in a media market traditionally dominated by white men, helping to birth some of the biggest movements in Black creativity while serving as a founding editor of Vibe magazine, editor at large of Essence, and editor in chief at Giant magazine. Wilbekin understands what it means for him to be visible and a representation for a community that has often had to live in the shadows.

“Live in your truth,” was the first piece of advice Wilbekin o ered to the new generation of Black queer and gay men who stand upon his shoulders. “Don’t let anyone tell you what you aren’t. Be really proud of who you are because you stand on the shoulders of a lot of men who didn’t have the freedom to be their most authentic selves as Black queer men.”

Wilbekin says his foundation Native Son is a “movement and a platform to bring Black gay and queer men together to be in a safe space…. I think it’s important that as a marginalized community, we build ourselves up to empower, inspire, and support each other. I’ve seen it in white spaces and felt, Why don’t we have that? So I decided to create it.”

It was at the first Native Son Awards (created to honor Black gay men in activism, media, and entertainment) in 2016, that Wilbekin would reveal one of his biggest secrets to the world: he was a person living (and thriving) with HIV.

“It was scary to disclose my status,” Wilbekin admitted. “I’ve carried the virus for more than 15 years and I’m healthy and I go to the doctor, but I felt ashamed I didn’t tell my mother. The person closest with me and that’s where I felt uncomfortable. I disclosed at the Native Son Awards because I felt how could I lead a movement and not live my truth fully?”

This year, Native Son collaborated with Bloomindale’s on a collection of self-a rming T-shirts, emblazoned with fun phrases like “Black Boy Joy” and “People Be Gay.” —GEORGE JOHNSON

Read the original, complete versions of all these interviews at hivplusmag.com.

ADVANCE NOTICE

A NEW DAILY PILL MAY SOON BE AN OPTION FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV.

BY ANDREW STILLMAN

GLOBAL HEALTH CARE company Merck recently announced that they will begin a Phase 3 clinical study on the use of the investigational drug islatravir for the treatment of people infected with HIV-1, the most common subtype of the virus.

The new studies will evaluate a combination of 100 milligrams of doravirine and a lower dose of islatravir, designed for use as a daily pill. One study will focus on previously untreated patients with HIV-1. The other two studies will determine the e cacy of patients replacing this treatment with antiretroviral therapy. Patients previously treated with the higher dose of islatravir can also transition into this study with lower doses.

The company reinstated this study after the U.S. FDA suspended 13 trials for islatravir, including using it as a form of PrEP and combining it with Gilead’s lenacapavir for treatment of HIV.

While the studies for islatravir’s use of PrEP have discontinued, Phase 2 of the tests with Gilead will resume studying the combination of lenacapavir with lower doses of islatravir.

With researchers’ belief in the potential nucleoside reverse transcriptase translocation inhibitor (NRTTI) mechanism, they will also commence a Phase 1b study on MK-8527 for adults infected with HIV-1.

Participants in the Phase 3 study of islatravir as a once-monthly oral use of PrEP will continue to be monitored. Although this particular study has been suspended, the company continues to search for long-acting HIV prevention.

Dr. Eliav Barr, senior vice president and head of global clinical development for Merck, stated, “We continue to believe in the potential of the NRTTI mechanism and we are evaluating additional candidates with the goal of helping to address unmet needs in HIV prevention.”

Part of this research includes a continued partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to evaluate potential long-acting PrEP opportunities.

BIKTARVY BREAKTHROUGH

NEW RESEARCH SHOWS THE POPULAR HIV TREATMENT DRUG IS SAFE AND HIGHLY EFFECTIVE FOR THOSE ALSO LIVING WITH HEPATITIS B.

BY DESIRÉE GUERRERO

GILEAD SCIENCES RECENTLY released new research data reinforcing Biktarvy as a highly effective treatment option for a broad range of people living with HIV, including those also dealing with a hepatitis B (HBV) diagnosis.

Interim data from the Alliance trial showed that Biktarvy (which comes in tablets made up of 50 mg of bictegravir, 200 mg of emtricitabine, and 25 mg of tenofovir alafenamide) did a better job than an alternative treatment of suppressing hepatitis B virus in people who are living with both HIV and HBV.

Additional data from two Phase 3 trials further demonstrated Biktarvy’s sustained e cacy, safety, and high barrier to resistance in adults with HIV who are just starting treatment. The findings were presented in July at the 24th International AIDS Conference.

A press release detailing the new data noted that “HIV/HBV coinfection is a major global public health threat that increases the morbidity and mortality beyond either infection alone. HBV impacts approximately 8 percent of people with HIV globally, and HIV/HBV coinfection rates can reach 25 percent in areas where both viruses are endemic, such as Asia.”

“Alliance is a landmark clinical trial, investigating the specific treatment responses of adults with HIV/ HBV coinfection,” said Dr. Anchalee Avihingsanon, a senior researcher who works with the Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Center in Thailand. “Emerging HIV epidemics in areas of high HBV rates such as Asia are expanding the number of people with HIV/HBV coinfection. This inclusive and representative study

enrolled and treated participants from 11 di erent geographies with 88 percent of participants of Asian descent, driving the availability of data from within those communities most impacted.”

In addition to these findings, Gilead presented other new data at AIDS 2022. Company o cials shared fiveyear cumulative data that demonstrated Biktarvy’s sustained e cacy and durable viral suppression as first-line therapy in people with HIV. Not one case of treatment failure occurred in an analysis of five years of data from both studies, which further demonstrates the e ectiveness and anti-resistance properties of Biktarvy for the treatment of HIV in adults with no prior antiretroviral therapy history.

Additionally, pooled data showed that 99 percent of participants who initiated treatment with Biktarvy and remained in the study for all 240 weeks achieved and maintained an undetectable viral load through five years of follow-up. The data supports showed long-term use of Biktarvy caused no significant changes to metabolic, bone, and renal markers.

“As we strive to optimize HIV treatment and advance scientific innovation, we’re committed to tailoring our research to address the individual needs of all people with HIV, including those with comorbidities,” said Dr. Jared Baeten, vice president of HIV Clinical Development at Gilead. “The HIV treatment research data presented at the 24th International AIDS Conference are an important step in deepening our understanding of how to support the long-term and overall health of a broad range of people with HIV worldwide.”

BY GARY MCCLAIN

MY COLLEAGUES IN the mental health professions have often lamented the lack of emergency assistance available to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. We have had to rely on services available through 911 which, while able to respond to an emergency, are not trained mental health professionals and therefore not able to provide the level of response needed in these situations. When someone with a mental emergency does not get the care they need immediately, this greatly increases the risk.

I am happy to say that mental health care in the U.S. has just taken a major step forward.

Are you aware of the new 988 mental help emergency number?

This past July, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Line became available nationwide. Line 988, which replaces the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, is a major step forward in providing much needed emergency mental health support.

With the availability of the 988 line, anyone experiencing a mental health crisis is just three digits away from help. For mental health professionals, this is a dream come true.

The purpose of the 988 service is to provide access to a trained counselor who, first and foremost, will provide a listening ear. The professionals sta ng 988 are also trained to assess the caller’s mental health needs, to provide emotional support, and to help them to get connected with mental health resources in their community. They are trained to handle emergencies and help to assure that the person calling them receives the help they need.

This is truly groundbreaking! At long last, help is available 24 hours a day to someone in a mental health or suicide crisis. One can also text 988 if they prefer to chat that way.

This is a new service. As with any new service, the 988 line is a work in progress. As it gets underway and usage increases, any shortcomings in, for example, training and coverage, will be addressed. Initial publicity on 988, outlining its intended approach to providing emergency services, has given me reason to be hopeful.

By the way, 988 is separate from 911. As an emergency line, 911 still provides access to public safety entities including law enforcement, fi refi ghters, paramedics, and other first responders. However, 988 and 911 will work in coordination to ensure that individuals in crisis will receive the appropriate assistance. And if you are familiar with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, that number is still active and available.

So please join me in celebrating the availability of 988! A mental health lifeline! Let’s all spread the word.

Mental health editor, GARY MCCLAIN, PH.D., is a therapist, patient advocate, and author in New York. He specializes in working with those diagnosed with chronic and catastrophic medical conditions.

(JustGotDiagnosed.com)

(SITTING MAN ON MOBILE); MAXIMILIAN IMAGING (MCCLAIN)

ONE CALL AWAY A NEW MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS LINE, 988, MAKES ACCESSING EMERGENCY HELP EASIER THAN EVER.

BY NEAL BROVERMAN

WE’RE ALL ALLOWED to have bad days every so often, even if you’re a chart-topping rapper named Megan Thee Stallion.

Stallion, who’s known for her “hot girl” persona and empowering music, recently launched a website full of mental health resources called Bad Bitches Have Bay Days Too, named after a lyric in her recent single, “Anxiety.”

The website is split into four sections covering various mental health topics. The first includes free online therapy platforms, the second o ers mental health resources, the third includes resource directories with a focus on BIPOC communities, and the fi nal category includes resources for the LGBTQIA+ communities.

This isn’t the first time she’s shared her passion for mental health, either. Last year, Stallion discussed losing her mother with People magazine, stating, “I’ve lost both of my parents. Now I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, who do I talk to? What do I do?’ I just started learning that it’s OK to ask for help. It’s OK to want to get therapy.”

Shortly after, on her 27th birthday, she launched the Pete and Thomas Foundation in honor of her parents, Joseph Pete, Jr. and Holly Thomas. The nonprofit organization supports charitable programs in Houston. The website for the foundation states their mission is “to catalyze resources to e ect meaningful and positive change in the lives of women and children, senior citizens, and underserved communities in Houston, TX and across the globe. The foundation’s area of focus will be in the fields of education, housing, health and wellness.”

The three-time Grammy winner also graduated from Texas Southern University in 2021 with a degree in health administration, which she said she did in honor of her mother, who ultimately passed away due to brain cancer.

On her new website, quotes like “Some days I just hate everybody” and “Bounce back like bad bitches always do” emphasize the up and downs of mental health in between the links to resources for further help.

As Stallion’s fame continues to grow, her advocacy for mental health awareness is sure to continue. We’re sure her parents would be proud.

Music goddess Megan Thee Stallion

STRONG AS A STALLION RAP SUPERSTAR MEGAN THEE STALLION FOUND HELP FOR HER MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLES. NOW, SHE WANTS TO RETURN THE FAVOR.

WET AND WILD

PREP ICON DAMON L. JACOBS INITIATES HONEST CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SEX, BODY IMAGE, AND HIV — ALL WHILE HE AND HIS GUESTS ARE NAKED.

“WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR BODY?” That’s typically one of the first questions that therapist, life coach, author, PrEP promoter, and longtime HIV activist Damon L. Jacobs asks his guests on his YouTube show, Tub Talks With Damon L. Jacobs. This query is posed while Jacobs and his guests (mostly men, but women, too) are naked and sitting inches from each other in a sudsy bathtub. Launched after COVID, Tub Talks allows people like a U=U proponent (Randy Davis), a sex writer (Alexander Cheves), a “thickfluencer” (Alex Borsa), a journalist and ACT UP legend (Liz Highleyman), and even one of President Obama’s HIV experts (Greg Millett) to talk about everything from self-esteem to self-care to substance abuse to sex positivity. Tub Talks, now with dozens of episodes available, is the latest feather in Jacobs’s cap, a New York-based marriage and family therapist who first became known in HIV circles for his early support of PrEP and U=U knowledge. Jacobs spoke to us recently about the origin of Tub Talks and why so many people let loose when their clothes come o .

Tell us about your work as a therapist and the kind of folks you specialize in helping. I have been proudly serving the LGBT community as a psychotherapist since 1996, in private practice in New York City in 2010. My work utilizes facets of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Buddhism, and a little bit of Cher, to help people experience peace, power, and pleasure in their daily lives.

How did you get connected with the HIV-positive community? I came out as a teenager in the 1980s, at a time when AIDS was devastating our community. I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1990 where I loved and lost several friends, co-workers, lovers, clients, roommates, to AIDS. It seemed incumbent on me to challenge my training as a traditional “therapist” i.e., the kind that sits on their ass in an o ce all day. If I was going to take my role seriously as a healer, it means standing up, getting out, acting up, fighting back, doing

COURTESY DAMON L. JACOBS (ALL)

something, anything, to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS. I started volunteering facilitating “Rubberward Parties” on college campuses in 1991, and have just continued to work/ volunteer in HIV prevention in some capacity ever since.

Your Tub Talks series is incredible. Where did the idea spring from? Thank you!! I originally got the idea from a friend of mine in San Francisco, Mike Enders, who did his own bathtub series in the early 2010s. I got to be a guest on one of his last shows and it was the most fun interview I ever had. I thought — what a wonderful way to talk about ideas, hopes, dreams, struggles, by sitting naked in a bathtub with another person! Around that same time, I was talking with my friend Matt about his work as an escort, how often most of his sessions centered around a naked man telling him his inner thoughts and fears. I realized that as a sex worker Matt’s clients were often more open and trusting with him than many of my clients were being with me — that people in general are so much more honest and vulnerable when they are naked than when they have their clothed defenses on.

When I turned 50-years-old in 2021 I wrote an online series about the 50 Lessons that helped me to get older with power, purpose, and pleasure (https://50lessonsof50. com/). It was while writing this series that COVID vaccines became widely accessible, rates were coming down, and I was reminded that New York City is home to some of the most interesting individuals in the world. Actors, activists, healers, leaders, educators, entertainers, AIDS historians — wouldn’t it be interesting to capture their experiences and words of wisdom on video? Wouldn’t it be fun to listen to their experiences of aging, healing, grieving, celebrating sexual empowerment,

creative expression, while taking a bath together? In the summer of 2021 I asked a few friends if they would be willing to come take a bath with me and almost all said yes. I started airing these interviews on September 13, 2021, and from there the momentum went forward.

Yet another source of inspiration was the fact that I continuously go to HIV conferences where people sit around and say, “Why can’t we get people to use PrEP? How do we get people to learn about U=U?” And I’m like — maybe it’s time to try to not do the same thing over and over again and expect di erent results! What if we communicated and taught about sexual health and pleasure in creative ways that aren’t being done by hundreds of other people? That was part of it as well — could I deliver education and information in a way that is innovative and entertaining? I’m trying!

Have to ask: Have all your guests actually been naked? Yes. Except for one.

Do conversations flow easier while folks are squeezed together with little to no clothes on? Conversations flow so much more

NEAL BROVERMAN

OPPOSITE Damon L. Jacobs in his “o ce” ABOVE Jacobs chats with amfAR’s Gregorio Millett

naturally when we are naked! Whether it’s in a bathtub, on a beach, by a pool, in a bed. People’s minds and thoughts are so much freer when they are not being encumbered by clothes. I have done so many bullshit interviews in my time — I used to do some red carpet stu at the Daytime Emmys and at the GLAAD awards. Those are absolute pi e — they rarely contain any meaning or depth. It’s three minutes of me asking people how they’re feeling and who they are wearing. So I reevaluated during COVID — if I ever was to do interviews again they have to be real, not fake. They have to contain sustenance, not verbal masturbation. When people are naked, they are real. When people are open they are able to share words of insight and wisdom that can help change people’s lives. Those are the only kinds of interviews I want to do anymore.

Talk a little about how di erent life is now than two years ago — you’re hosting a bathtub series now and in 2020 we couldn’t even be in the same room as strangers. Right, so this is one of the reasons I waited until 2021 to start filming. I really wanted to start the series back in 2018 but at the time I was too busy with my private practice and traveling/teaching about PrEP to commit adequate time to the tub. Then COVID hit — and that clearly was not an ideal time either. But by the time I started shooting the first episodes in the summer of 2021, everyone had access to the vaccines. So shooting interviews

in 2022 is delightfully di erent from anything we could have done safely in 2020, and I’m just so grateful that science and technology made it possible for us to connect and take baths together again. “No masks, no underwear.”

Do you think the worst of monkeypox is behind the LGBTQ+ and HIV+ community? The data suggests that the worst of monkeypox is behind us. And to me that makes sense — it’s not like we had to reinvent the wheel here. E ective vaccines were already developed, the science was already available. It was just a matter of the government and health departments using them — and that has been the biggest disappointment for me. In NYC the MPX vaccine distribution is a complete embarrassment, especially because they just did the same thing with COVID vaccines. They created a system that perpetuates racial disparities in vaccine access. It’s not like we didn’t see this one year earlier with COVID. And I’m skeptical anyone learned their lesson from MPX either. But yes, I do think that thanks to the eventual vaccine distribution happening now we are on the other side of what could have been so much more painful and traumatic.

How are you feeling about the state of HIV right now, especially with World AIDS Day coming up? Are you hopeful with some of the advances, like injectables and COVID research, or discouraged that we’re not yet at a vaccine or cure stage? I don’t get discouraged so much as I’m a realist. I’ve been working in this field for 31 years. It was dubious then that we would ever have a vaccine or a cure for HIV, and it’s pretty dubious now. Are there strides forward? Yes. Are there incredible people working their asses o to make that happen, yes. Is there su cient money and funding to make it happen — as far as I know, yes. But HIV is a very tricky virus to cure and I’m not sure I’ll see a cure or an e ective vaccine in my lifetime. Meanwhile — injectable PrEP allows you to reduce your risk of acquiring HIV by nearly 100 percent and all you have to do is get a shot every eight weeks. What is the e ective di erence between that and a vaccine?

My hope rests more in people understanding and utilizing biomedical interventions to embrace sexual health and pleasure. We have three FDA-approved ways of using PrEP now, and more than 50 FDA-approved medications that help someone living with HIV become undetectable. Some of those drugs only have to be taken once a day. When someone is undetectable they are untransmittable, meaning they cannot give HIV to their sexual partners (“U=U”). When I see people organizing, celebrating, and connecting around their joy of sexual empowerment, that is where I feel hope, that is where I’ve witnessed substantial change.

Check out Tub Talks With Damon L. Jacobs at youtube.com/user/DamonLJacobs

Jacobs with his Tub Talks co-host

HOW DOES HIV TREATMENT WORK AS HIV PREVENTION

Starting and sticking with HIV treatment every day helps lower the amount of HIV in your body. It can get so low it can’t be measured by a test. That’s undetectable

Less HIV in your body means it causes less damage. And according to current research, getting to and staying undetectable prevents the spread of HIV through sex. It’s called Treatment as Prevention. Or TasP for short.

There’s no cure for HIV, but if you stick with treatment you can protect yourself and the people you care about.

Talk to a healthcare provider and watch It’s Called Treatment as Prevention at YouTube.com/HelpStopTheVirus

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