POZ December 2020 by Smart + Strong

yant Christine Campbell Scott Campbell Guillermo Chacón Allan Clear Chris Collins Humberto Cruz JD Davids Shawn Dec nia Fields Ingrid Floyd Robert Foley Anselmo Fonseca Jane Fowler Kevin Frost Robert Fullilove Bambi Gaddist Ronda G orie Hill Debra Hickman Kathie Hiers David Holtgrave Ernest Hopkins Mark IshaugA SMART+STRONG Jeremiah JohnsonPUBLICATION Ron Johnson Fortun DECEMBER 2020 mer Jules Levin Kali Lindsey Nancy Mahon Marsha Martin Terry McGovern Jesse Milan Jr Daniel Montoya David Munar Pat POZ.COM h José Ramirez Susan Rodriguez Francisco Ruiz Eric Sawyer Carl Schmid Julie Scofield Linda Scruggs Pernessa $3.99C. Seele na Sweet, MACP John Tedstrom Adam Tenner Ed Tepporn Lance Toma Nelson Vergel Tom Viola Mitchell Warren Phill Wils CHA’s Transgender Clinic AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC) B Condoms Françoise Barré-Sinoussi Beauty Queens with Brown The Reverend Calvin O. Butts III The Cabinet Jim Campbell Catholics for Choice Clinton Health Access Initiative (C ert AIDS Project Ambassador Mark Dybul Wafaa El-Sadr Kenyon Farrow Anthony Fauci Kevin Fenton Dab Garner A Grassroo ition Mark Harrington Health Gap Health HIV Todd Heywood Kathie Hiers Marjorie Hill The HIV Law Project The HIV Story P thy La Toya Jackson Sir Elton John Sheila JohnsonPaul Kawata Michel Kazatchkine Alicia Keys The Reverend Charles King NAMES Project Foundation The National Black Clergy for the Elimination of HIV/AIDS Act of 2009 President Barack Obama t’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Prison Health News The Rachofskys Michael Emanuel Rajner The Robert James Frascino H E Sidibé A L Kimberly T H , Smith L I F E Sonnabend, & H I VMD Stop AIDS Project Andrew Sullivan Dame Elizabeth Taylor Sandy p Michel Joseph Seekers Brigitte Autran Françoise Barré-Sinoussi Monsef Benkirane Ben Berkhout J. Scott Cairns Nicolas Chomont Tae-W el Lederman Sharon Lewin Frank Maldarelli David Margolis Martin Markowitz Javier Martinez-Picado John Mellors Santiago a Ross Jean-Pierre Routy Christine Rouzioux Guido Silvestri Mario Stevenson Amalio Telenti Carine Van Lint Eric Verdin A ek Julian Elliott Koh Fujinaga Hiroyu Hatano Frederick Hecht Timothy Henrich Keith Jerome Hans-Peter Kiem Mathias Licht entau Rafick-Pierre Sekaly Robert Siliciano John Tilton Linos Vanderkerckhove Bruce Walker John Young Judy Auerbach Ja garet McGlynn Nelly Mugo Zeda Rosenberg Mitchell Warren Bob Bowers Timothy Ray Brown Gus Cairns David Evans Antho anc Barbara Lee Kali Lindsey Greg Louganis Jim Pickett Jamar Rogers Paul Semugoma Matt Sharp Jeff Sheehy Sean Stru enjamin Bryant Bergeron Isadore Boni Vera Bowlby Gina Brown Marisol Calderon Tony Carlew Craig Chapin José F. Colón L fin Kari Farmer-Coffman Millicent Foster Rob Garofalo Mark Garrett Benjamin Gerritz Justin Goforth Elizabeth Harrington T hony Johnson Vanessa Johnson Bryan Jones Freda Jones Robert Knight Rob Land Doug Landret Aaron Laxton Daniel Leyva Menard Robert Menk Hank Millbourne Luis Montanez Joshua Montgomery Shennod Moore Jeffrey Newman Naimah O’Ne aime Rebeles Ronald Regins Josh Robbins Cynthia Rodgers Ruth Royster Fordham James ‘JR’ Rude Donald ‘Bud’ Sadler Raq worth II Wayne Starks Cedric Sturdevant Teresa Sullivan Coleman Terrell Justin B. Terry-Smith Kerry Thomas Jane Valen ert Westwood Cassandra Whitty Erwin Willhite Kekoa Yap Mark Zatyrk Jacques Agbobly Pablo Aguilera Charisse Ahm on-Ward Marguerite “Margie” Basilico Dakota Basinger Michael David Battle Benjamin Beaury Kia Michelle Benbow Anton Corbin Alyssa Crawford Brad Pond Crelia Michael Eisman Clint Fausett Brandon Fernandes Charlie Ferrusi Cierra Foxx Gre an Haught Ethan Hawes Larry Houston-Huff Brandon Hughes Tahir Idris Christopher Jackson Jason Jenders Regnarian J ald Labourdette III Vanessa Lathan Ryan Lewis Sean Lundy Gabriel Maldonado Rumbidzo Mapfumo Steven-Emmanuel Ma eville Briana Morgan Quang Nguyen Jamie O’Toole Blane Oborny Jason Parad Byanca Parker Mitchell Payne Robert Peraz neth Rios-Soler Mathew Rodriguez Carlos Rosario Matthew Rose Lindsay Roth Amirah Sequeira Claudia Sisomphou Charle lor Lawrence Vinson III Cody Walker Jason Walker Cassie Warren Edward “Eddie” Wiley Khafre Kujichagulia Abif Raymon ghton Stephanie Brooks-Wiggins Ronald Chaney Shana C. Jim Chud Orbit Clanton Patricia Clark Graig Cote Daniel Craddoc nie Dukes Nancy Duncan Felicia Flames Elizondo Maurice Evans Carrie Foote Jolene Ford Larry Frampton Claire Gasama ve Jesus Heberto Guillen Solis Perry N. Halkitis Jeff Hammond Margaret Harris-Guyette Stephen Hartley Fred Hersch Mark Koob Scott A. Kramer Jay Lassiter Nancer LeMoins Sherri Lewis Wanda London Alejandro Lopez Luna Luis Ortiz Vickie Lyn ert Penn Andrew Pulsipher Jim Raper Jon Jay Read Lepena Reid Hunter Reynolds Tatania Riley Doug Rose Mark Rosenbaum Snow Charles Straight Jeff Taylor Arthurine “Cookie” Thompson Bruce Turner Silvia Valerio Steven Vargas Bruce Ward Sam mine Allen Ellen Allen Ruby Amagwula Tiye Amos-Mandela David Armstead Justin Bell Stephen Bloodworth Renee Y. Bu ie Dill Dazon Dixon Diallo Billy Duckett Chip Eakins Yvonne Early Jason Elliott Stephen Fallon David Fawcett Darnell Ferrel C. Fuentes Jr. Bambi Gaddist Joaquin “Jack” Garcia Jr. Patrick “Pat” Gordon Mark Grantham Sam Graper Chelsea Gulden Ch dez Kathie M. Hiers Jeremy Hobbs Monique Howell-Moree Art Jackson Stacy Jennings Darrin Johnson Kecia Johnson Monica en Janet Kitchen Twana Lawler Cheryl Lewis Edwards Arianna Lint Jonathan Lucas Tiommi Luckett C. Andrew Martin Mic er David Parker Michael Emanuel Rajner Ken Rapkin Allison Rice Cathy Robinson-Pickett Steven Romeo Esther Ross Blake row Wesley Thompson Jennifer Townsend The Reverend Joyce Turner-Keller Kevin Varner The Rev. Debbie Warren Daniel nn Barringer Asia Betancourt Lisa Binkley Dale Brewer Cynthia Brinson Lisa Britt Vanessa Campus Barb Cardell Juanita en Duke Michele Durham Marci Egel Nikki Ferraro Carrie Foote Anna Forbes Geneva Galloway-Pitts Kathy Garner Tuyishim t Hall Mildred Harper Tami Haught Kathie Hiers Juanita Hubbard Barbara Hughes Stacy Hyde Olga Irwin Tracey Jackson M en King-Carter Arianna Lint Nichole Little Barbara J. Lock Sylvia Lopez Theresa Mack Julie Marston Nina Martinez Carolyn M ne Morne Allison Nichol Ijeoma Opara Teresia Njoki Otieno Julie Patterson Laura Pinsky Aracelis Quiñones Shakyara Ralat Sha Judith Shaw Arianna Smith Jennie Smith-Camejo Meta Smith-Davis Cindy Stine Blake Strasser Teresa Sullivan Chuan uez Martha Warriner Jarrett Cynthia Watson-Catha Marguerite Wheeler-Lara Lisa Diane White Terri Wilder Victoria “Tori ada Stephen Aube Proscovia Ayoo Karla Barnett Robbie Bergman Randy Boyd Wanda Brendle-Moss Chris Bridges Willia Caudle Orbit Clanton Neil Coffman-Grey Robert Cornelius Shelia Crockett William Scott Daly Mark A. Davis Larry Day Yola zalez Mark Grantham Aundaray Guess Jesús Guillén Carlos Gutierrez-Solana Bill Hall Mitchell Handrich Graham Harriman Mark Hughes Olga Irwin Edward Jackson Eric Jannke Ronald Johnson Bryan Jones Mary Frances Jones Perry Junjulas Pat os Maldonado Steven Manning Eunice Marshall Kalvin Marshall Joyce McDonald Enrique Menendez Susan Mull Aaron Mya ert Riester Rosa Rivera Raul Robles Michael Rouppet Thomas Sampson Charles Sanchez Steve Schalchlin Scott Schlaffma Straley John Tenorio Larry Watson Hector Xtravaganza Michael “Zee” Zalnask Julisa Abad Giuliani Alvarenga Jacob And o Cecilia Chung Thomi Clinton Jamie Collins Billie Cooper Tori Cooper Alex Corona JD Davids Dietz Teo Drake Terry Dudle e Andrea Harrington George Henry Hastie Kris Hayashi Luna Hernandez Achim Howard Yasmyne Hunter Dominique Jackso y Kline Aryah Lester Octavia Y. Lewis Arianna Lint Adrian Lowe Devin Michael Lowe Nikki Araguz Loyd Tiommi Luckett Mo anet Mock Indya Moore Bobbee Trans Mooremon Socorro “Cori” Moreland Lailani Muniz Our Lady J Johanna Padilla Alex P se Roman-Taylorson Angelica Ross Sabastian Roy Nadine Ruff Hailie Sahar Bamby Salcedo Amirage Saling Daniela Simb

The POZ 100 CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF ADVOCACY

yant Christine Campbell Scott Campbell Guillermo Chacón Allan Clear Chris Collins Humberto Cruz JD Davids Shaw nia Fields Ingrid Floyd Robert Foley Anselmo Fonseca Jane Fowler Kevin Frost Robert Fullilove Bambi Gaddist Ro orie Hill Debra Hickman Kathie Hiers David Holtgrave Ernest Hopkins Mark IshaugA SMART+STRONG Jeremiah JohnsonPUBLICATION Ron Johnson F DECEMBER 2020 mer Jules Levin Kali Lindsey Nancy Mahon Marsha Martin Terry McGovern Jesse Milan Jr Daniel Montoya David Mun POZ.COM h José Ramirez Susan Rodriguez Francisco Ruiz Eric Sawyer Carl Schmid Julie Scofield Linda Scruggs Pernessa $3.99C. na Sweet, MACP John Tedstrom Adam Tenner Ed Tepporn Lance Toma Nelson Vergel Tom Viola Mitchell Warren Ph CHA’s Transgender Clinic AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC) B Condoms Françoise Barré-Sinoussi Beauty Queen Brown The Reverend Calvin O. Butts III The Cabinet Jim Campbell Catholics for Choice Clinton Health Access Initiat ert AIDS Project Ambassador Mark Dybul Wafaa El-Sadr Kenyon Farrow Anthony Fauci Kevin Fenton Dab Garner A Gra ition Mark Harrington Health Gap Health HIV Todd Heywood Kathie Hiers Marjorie Hill The HIV Law Project The HIV S thy La Toya Jackson Sir Elton John Sheila JohnsonPaul Kawata Michel Kazatchkine Alicia Keys The Reverend Charles NAMES Project Foundation The National Black Clergy for the Elimination of HIV/AIDS Act of 2009 President Barack Ob t’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Prison Health News The Rachofskys Michael Emanuel Rajner The Robert James Fr H E Sidibé A L Kimberly T H , Smith L I F E Sonnabend, & H I VMD Stop AIDS Project Andrew Sullivan Dame Elizabeth Taylor S p Michel Joseph Seekers Brigitte Autran Françoise Barré-Sinoussi Monsef Benkirane Ben Berkhout J. Scott Cairns Nicolas Chomont T el Lederman Sharon Lewin Frank Maldarelli David Margolis Martin Markowitz Javier Martinez-Picado John Mellors San a Ross Jean-Pierre Routy Christine Rouzioux Guido Silvestri Mario Stevenson Amalio Telenti Carine Van Lint Eric Ve ek Julian Elliott Koh Fujinaga Hiroyu Hatano Frederick Hecht Timothy Henrich Keith Jerome Hans-Peter Kiem Mathia entau Rafick-Pierre Sekaly Robert Siliciano John Tilton Linos Vanderkerckhove Bruce Walker John Young Judy Auerb garet McGlynn Nelly Mugo Zeda Rosenberg Mitchell Warren Bob Bowers Timothy Ray Brown Gus Cairns David Evans anc Barbara Lee Kali Lindsey Greg Louganis Jim Pickett Jamar Rogers Paul Semugoma Matt Sharp Jeff Sheehy Sean enjamin Bryant Bergeron Isadore Boni Vera Bowlby Gina Brown Marisol Calderon Tony Carlew Craig Chapin José F. C fin Kari Farmer-Coffman Millicent Foster Rob Garofalo Mark Garrett Benjamin Gerritz Justin Goforth Elizabeth Harring hony Johnson Vanessa Johnson Bryan Jones Freda Jones Robert Knight Rob Land Doug Landret Aaron Laxton Danie Menard Robert Menk Hank Millbourne Luis Montanez Joshua Montgomery Shennod Moore Jeffrey Newman Naimah aime Rebeles Ronald Regins Josh Robbins Cynthia Rodgers Ruth Royster Fordham James ‘JR’ Rude Donald ‘Bud’ Sadle worth II Wayne Starks Cedric Sturdevant Teresa Sullivan Coleman Terrell Justin B. Terry-Smith Kerry Thomas Jane ert Westwood Cassandra Whitty Erwin Willhite Kekoa Yap Mark Zatyrk Jacques Agbobly Pablo Aguilera Charisse on-Ward Marguerite “Margie” Basilico Dakota Basinger Michael David Battle Benjamin Beaury Kia Michelle Benbow A Corbin Alyssa Crawford Brad Pond Crelia Michael Eisman Clint Fausett Brandon Fernandes Charlie Ferrusi Cierra Fox an Haught Ethan Hawes Larry Houston-Huff Brandon Hughes Tahir Idris Christopher Jackson Jason Jenders Regna ald Labourdette III Vanessa Lathan Ryan Lewis Sean Lundy Gabriel Maldonado Rumbidzo Mapfumo Steven-Emmanu eville Briana Morgan Quang Nguyen Jamie O’Toole Blane Oborny Jason Parad Byanca Parker Mitchell Payne Robert neth Rios-Soler Mathew Rodriguez Carlos Rosario Matthew Rose Lindsay Roth Amirah Sequeira Claudia Sisomphou lor Lawrence Vinson III Cody Walker Jason Walker Cassie Warren Edward “Eddie” Wiley Khafre Kujichagulia Abif R ghton Stephanie Brooks-Wiggins Ronald Chaney Shana C. Jim Chud Orbit Clanton Patricia Clark Graig Cote Daniel Cr nie Dukes Nancy Duncan Felicia Flames Elizondo Maurice Evans Carrie Foote Jolene Ford Larry Frampton Claire Ga ve Jesus Heberto Guillen Solis Perry N. Halkitis Jeff Hammond Margaret Harris-Guyette Stephen Hartley Fred Hersch Koob Scott A. Kramer Jay Lassiter Nancer LeMoins Sherri Lewis Wanda London Alejandro Lopez Luna Luis Ortiz Vick ert Penn Andrew Pulsipher Jim Raper Jon Jay Read Lepena Reid Hunter Reynolds Tatania Riley Doug Rose Mark Rose Snow Charles Straight Jeff Taylor Arthurine “Cookie” Thompson Bruce Turner Silvia Valerio Steven Vargas Bruce Ward mine Allen Ellen Allen Ruby Amagwula Tiye Amos-Mandela David Armstead Justin Bell Stephen Bloodworth Renee ie Dill Dazon Dixon Diallo Billy Duckett Chip Eakins Yvonne Early Jason Elliott Stephen Fallon David Fawcett Darnell C. Fuentes Jr. Bambi Gaddist Joaquin “Jack” Garcia Jr. Patrick “Pat” Gordon Mark Grantham Sam Graper Chelsea Guld dez Kathie M. Hiers Jeremy Hobbs Monique Howell-Moree Art Jackson Stacy Jennings Darrin Johnson Kecia Johnson M en Janet Kitchen Twana Lawler Cheryl Lewis Edwards Arianna Lint Jonathan Lucas Tiommi Luckett C. Andrew Mart er David Parker Michael Emanuel Rajner Ken Rapkin Allison Rice Cathy Robinson-Pickett Steven Romeo Esther Ross row Wesley Thompson Jennifer Townsend The Reverend Joyce Turner-Keller Kevin Varner The Rev. Debbie Warren D nn Barringer Asia Betancourt Lisa Binkley Dale Brewer Cynthia Brinson Lisa Britt Vanessa Campus Barb Cardell Ju en Duke Michele Durham Marci Egel Nikki Ferraro Carrie Foote Anna Forbes Geneva Galloway-Pitts Kathy Garner Tuy t Hall Mildred Harper Tami Haught Kathie Hiers Juanita Hubbard Barbara Hughes Stacy Hyde Olga Irwin Tracey Jack en King-Carter Arianna Lint Nichole Little Barbara J. Lock Sylvia Lopez Theresa Mack Julie Marston Nina Martinez Ca ne Morne Allison Nichol Ijeoma Opara Teresia Njoki Otieno Julie Patterson Laura Pinsky Aracelis Quiñones Shakyara Sha Judith Shaw Arianna Smith Jennie Smith-Camejo Meta Smith-Davis Cindy Stine Blake Strasser Teresa Sullivan uez Martha Warriner Jarrett Cynthia Watson-Catha Marguerite Wheeler-Lara Lisa Diane White Terri Wilder Victoria ada Stephen Aube Proscovia Ayoo Karla Barnett Robbie Bergman Randy Boyd Wanda Brendle-Moss Chris Bridges Caudle Orbit Clanton Neil Coffman-Grey Robert Cornelius Shelia Crockett William Scott Daly Mark A. Davis Larry Da zalez Mark Grantham Aundaray Guess Jesús Guillén Carlos Gutierrez-Solana Bill Hall Mitchell Handrich Graham Harr Mark Hughes Olga Irwin Edward Jackson Eric Jannke Ronald Johnson Bryan Jones Mary Frances Jones Perry Junjula os Maldonado Steven Manning Eunice Marshall Kalvin Marshall Joyce McDonald Enrique Menendez Susan Mull Aaro ert Riester Rosa Rivera Raul Robles Michael Rouppet Thomas Sampson Charles Sanchez Steve Schalchlin Scott Schl Straley John Tenorio Larry Watson Hector Xtravaganza Michael “Zee” Zalnask Julisa Abad Giuliani Alvarenga Jaco o Cecilia Chung Thomi Clinton Jamie Collins Billie Cooper Tori Cooper Alex Corona JD Davids Dietz Teo Drake Terry e Andrea Harrington George Henry Hastie Kris Hayashi Luna Hernandez Achim Howard Yasmyne Hunter Dominique J y Kline Aryah Lester Octavia Y. Lewis Arianna Lint Adrian Lowe Devin Michael Lowe Nikki Araguz Loyd Tiommi Lucke anet Mock Indya Moore Bobbee Trans Mooremon Socorro “Cori” Moreland Lailani Muniz Our Lady J Johanna Padilla se Roman-Taylorson Angelica Ross Sabastian Roy Nadine Ruff Hailie Sahar Bamby Salcedo Amirage Saling Daniela

The POZ 100 CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF ADVOCACY

wn Decker Lynda Dee Dázon Dixon Diallo N.Y. State Senator Tom Duane Gregory Edwards Sergio Farfan Kandy Ferree onda Goldfein Gregg Gonsalves Robert Greenwald Mondo Guerra Rebecca Haag Catherine Hanssens Mark Harring Fortunata Kasege Paul Kawata Naina Khanna Reverend Charles King Kate Krauss James Krellenstein Reverend Sta nar Patricia Nalls Cathy Olufs Tokes Osubu Karen Pearl Jim Pickett Gina Quattrochi Michael Emanuel Rajner Sheryl Seele Ron Simmons Deborah Peterson Small Wendy Stark Valerie Stone Steffanie Strathdee Sean Strub Tracy Sw hill Wilson “15 by 2015” ACT V AIDS.gov AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) The Ali Forney Center Alpha Workshops am ns with a Conscience Edwin Bernard Susan Blumenthal, MD Bob Bowers Michelle Braxton Governor Jerry Brown Timo tive (CHAI) Chris Collins Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus Jeffrey Crowley JD Davids Joe De Capua The Denver Princip assroots History of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in North America Robert Greenwald Hairdressers Against AIDS Harm Reduct Story Project James Houston The International AIDS Conference The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative In the Life I S s King Mark King Larry Kramer Annie Lennox Life Ball Jack Mackenroth Jordan M. The Moore Clinic David Ernesto Mu bama Over-the-Counter Tests Michael Petrelis Jim Pickett Positive Justice Project Positive Women’s Network The Pr rascino Foundation Carlton Rounds Chris Salgardo Sangamo BioSciences Inc. Kathleen Sebelius Michael Sennott M Sandy Thurman Treatment as Prevention VOCAL-NY Court Justice David Wake The Well Project Phill Wilson ZamBa Tae-Wook Chun Melissa Churchill Steven Deeks Michele Di Mascio Christine Katlama Alain Lafeuillade Alan Landay ntiago Moreno James Mullins Una O’Doherty Sarah Palmer Marie-Capucine Penicaud B. Matija Peterlin Guido Poli A erdin Ann Woolfrey John Zaia Joseph Alvarnas Richard Ambinder David Baltimore Paul Cameron Paula Cannon Da as Lichterfeld Katherine Luzuriaga Mike McCune Robert Murphy Douglas Nixon Deborah Persaud Lawrence Petz Quen bach Jared Baeten Deborah Birx Susan Buchbinder Dennis Burton Connie Celum Myron Cohen Barton Haynes Albert Anthony Fauci David France Thomas Frieden Kevin Frost Jim Himes Richard Jefferys Sir Elton John Kate Krauss Step n Strub Michael Tikili 2013: Celebrating Unsung Heroes Jaci Adams Dorian-Gray Alexander Brandon Allen Jeff Allen M Colón López Tommy Dennis Penny DeNoble Ruth DeRamus Jorge Diaz Sheila Dillon Deloris Dockrey Ed Doolittle Da gton Tami Haught Ángel Luis Hernández Alfredo Hernandez Chavez Kelly Hill Jeremy Hobbs Rick Holman Arthur Jack el Leyva Michael Luciano Jimmy Lucibello Kevin Maloney Leon Mann III Anthony Maselli Joe McAdams Richard McMa h O’Neal Jeffrey Padilla Sharon Paul Murray Penner Osvaldo Perdomo Timothy Pitts Doris Plant-Hill Stephen A. Puib er Raquel Sapien Joe Scarborough Scott Schoettes Nicole Seguin Michael Siever Bob Skinner D Gregory Smith Lawre Valencia Nestor Vanegas-Charry Jason Villalobos Reed Vreeland Danielle Wasko Jeff Webb Robin Webb Mike Wei e Ahmed Jojo Amanfu Guy Anthony Tranisha Arzah Josephine Ayankoya Darion Banister Rachelle Barbis Devin B Antonio Boone Ian Bradley-Perrin Katy Byrtus Juan Calderon Caressa Cameron-Jackson Korey Anthony Chisholm Br xx Greg Gabbert Miguel Garcia Lauren Gauthier Dante Gennaro Jr. David Goode Jr. Cree Gordon Genny Grilli Ari Hamp arian Jenkins Tracy L. Johnson Jr. Joyous Joiner Josephine Kamarebe Barbara Kemigisa Brandon King Kachina Kud uel Martinez Antwan Mathews Loyce Maturu Ian McMahan Marcus McPherson Edgar Mendez Maureen Milanga Bria t Peraza Kyla Pfeif Samuel Pottebaum Cameron Raley Paige Rawl Jonathan Reveil Greg’ry Revenj Rashida Richard Charles Smart Narong Sokhom Tyler Spencer Kirstie Strong Anna Szczegielniak Marvell L. Terry II Michael Tikili Maso Raymond Alejo Tez Anderson Rhonda Barnes Ed Barron Gilbert Bazan Donald Beard Jeff Berry Michael Bivens Shi raddock Vince Crisostomo Robert Darrow Fernando De Hoyos Jose de Marco Ludovicus de Soncoeur José Diaz Vasq asamagera Sanford E. Gaylord Lolisa Gibson-Hunte Joel Goldman Grissel Granados Ryan Grant Mark Grantham To h Mark Hunter Andrena Ingram Joseph Interrante Arturo Jackson III Edward Jackson Stacy Jennings Janet Johnson Ri kie Lynn Cornelius Mabin Sean McKenna Maria Mejia Mark Milano Joshua Moore Joe Norton Eddie Orozco Jan Carl P enbaum Cecilia Ross Julia Sanchez Jonathan Scott Erin Secker Vanessa Sharp Ron Simmons Bob Skinner Glenda Sm d Sam Wickersham Auntjuan Wiley Jeffery Williams-Knight Ernest Wilson Acintia Wright Mark Wyn Robert Adams-G e Y. Burgess Michael Burks Angel Camacho Derek Canas Nicholas Carlisle Adrian Castellanos John Curry Steve Dan l Ferrell Phyllis Finch Gregory “Gregg” Fordham Jaysen Foreman-McMaster Victoria “Vicky” Fortugno-Oliver Gary Fow den Christine Hackford Leslie Hall TK “Thunder Kellie” Hampton Danny Harris David Hearn Ronald Henderson Jean H Monica Johnson Marxavian Jones Shyronn Jones Carmen Julious Deborah Kahal Alleen King-Carter Tammy Kinney Da tin Michael Maus Carolyn McAllaster Butch McKay Brady Morris Morris Murray Roberto Olmo Jon Gabriel Ortiz Bya Blake Rowley Evelyn Scott Ieshia Scott Shirley Selvage Melvin G. Slack III Alex Smith Carlton Smith Savalas Squire Daniel Weaver Robin Webb Charles Whitehead Auntjuan Wiley Ashton P. Woods Mary Arbuckle Ivy Arce Tranisha Ar uanita Chestnut Ezerae Coates Tori Cooper Simone Counts Karina Danvers Sharon DeCuir Pamela Denzer Alicia Di yishime Claire Gasamagera Kathleen Gerus Darbison Kelly Gluckman Lillibeth Gonzalez Grissel Granados Gloria Guzm kson Michelle Jackson-Rollins LeSherri James Stacy Jennings Monica Johnson Marsha Jones Shyronn Jones Esther K arolyn Massey Glenna McCarthy Rita McDaniel Patricia “Pat” McNeill Shelton Joyce Mitchell Candace Y.A. Montague Ralat Paige Rawl Venita Ray Debra Richardson Valerie L. Rochester Connie Roebuck Diana Rowan Shirley Royster B Chuan Teng Demetra Tennison-Grant Desiree Thompson Julene Tripp Weaver Evany Turk Jennifer Vaughan Brandi V a “Tori” Williams Valerie Wojciechowicz Waldon Adams Stephen Addona Moisés Agosto-Rosario Tez Anderson Lil s William Brochinsky Reginald T. Brown Marilyn Burnett Giulio Maria Carbelli Brian Carmichael Marco Castro-Bojorq ay Yolanda Diaz Reggie Dunbar II Jace Dyckman Bryan Fleury Anselmo Fonseca Larry Frampton Randall Furrow Lillib riman Danny Harris Michelle Harris Deborah Helm Patrice Henry Ángel Luis Hernández Matthew Hodson Franceina H as Pat Kelly Mark S. King Kevin Koerner Kenneth Lamb Bob Leahy Kevin Lish Abad Lopez Michelle Lopez Randal Luc on Myatt Eric Novak Charlie Palmer Jesse Peel Osvaldo Perdomo Robert Pompa Rob Quinn Melanie Reese Lepena R laffman Harold R. “Scottie” Scott Chanelle Sessooms Robert (Bob) Skinner Winthrop Smith William Snow Steve Sta ob Anderson-Minshall Alexandra Billings Blossom C. Brown Keiva Lei Cadena Joaquín Carcaño Dee Dee Chamblee y Dudley Kiala Emmons Ashley Figueroa Cecilia Gentili Masha Gessen Caleb Mikayla Goins-Robinson Kellen Gold Ka Jackson Sy’ria Jackson Aricles “Wulf” James Mackenzie Jianelli Courtney Johnson Tamika “Devinity” Jones Evonné Ka ett Monique Mackey Jeffrey Marsh Jevon Martin Gia Martinez Morgan Mayfaire Jesse Medina Marissa Miller Dharma M Alex Palacios Channyn Lynne Parker Alexis Powell Morey Riordan Bré Alexa Rodriguez Rodriguez Turn to page 51 to learn theAnne namesRivera of the individuals featured on thisMj month’s cover. M a Simba Danez Smith Valerie Spencer Kiara St. James David Strachan Jasmine Tasaki Kayden Taylor Gabrielle Thom

A HEALTHIER LIFE CAN START WITH HIV TREATMENT. It’s important to start HIV treatment as soon It’s important to start HIV treatment as soon as possible and stick with it. When you do, as possible and stick with it. When you do, it helps stop the damage HIV causes. Plus, it helps stop the damage HIV causes. Plus, doctors and scientists have found that it doctors and scientists have found that it can help reduce the risk of some infections, can help reduce the risk of some infections, certain cancers, and even AIDS. certain cancers, and even AIDS.

TREATMENT HELPS PREVENT THE SPREAD OF HIV.

If you’re living with HIV, a major goal is to get If you’re living with HIV, a major goal is to get your viral load to undetectable. This means that your viral load to undetectable. This means that there is so little virus in the blood that a test there is so little virus in the blood that a test can’t measure it. How can you get to and stay can’t measure it. How can you get to and stay undetectable? By taking HIV treatment every day. undetectable? By taking HIV treatment every day. Current research shows that getting to and Current research shows that getting to and staying undetectable prevents the spread of staying undetectable prevents the spread of HIV to others through sex. HIV to others through sex.

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SEEINSIDE INSIDE SEE

CONTENTS

EXCLUSIVELY ON

POZ.COM #ADVOCACY

MAKE A DIFFERENCE Fighting against HIV/ AIDS has always been a struggle. Much work remains to end the epidemic. POZ encourages you to get involved in advocacy. Go to poz.com/ advocacy to find the latest news and learn how you can make a difference in the fight.

#CRIMINALIZATION Opinions still vary on whether criminal law should apply to HIV disclosure, exposure and transmission. However, there is a growing consensus to make laws reflect current science. Go to poz.com/ criminalization for more on how you can get involved in reform efforts.

#UNDETECTABLE

SCIENCE, NOT STIGMA

The science is clear: People who have an undetectable viral load can’t transmit HIV sexually. In addition to keeping people healthy, effective HIV treatment also means HIV prevention. Go to poz.com/undetectable for more.

POZ DIGITAL

READ THE PRINT MAGAZINE ON YOUR COMPUTER OR TABLET

Anthony Fauci, MD, leads U.S. efforts against HIV and COVID-19.

24 THE POZ 100 We celebrate 10 years of HIV advocacy and spotlight current words of wisdom by past honorees. 3 FROM THE EDITOR

14 SPOTLIGHT

Don’t Stop Me Now

Outpourings over the passing of Timothy Ray Brown, the first person cured of HIV

4 POZ Q+A Longtime HIV advocates share their insights on aging with HIV, including how to manage overall health.

6 POZ PLANET Mark S. King is throwing a birthday bash for long-term survivors—and you’re invited! • the San Francisco Principles • the “I Can Give U” U=U campaign • four new comics from Visual AIDS • reissues of ’90s Red Hot AIDS benefit albums • Everyday

12 VOICES

Go to poz.com/digital to view the current issue and the entire Smart + Strong digital library.

Nonprofit group AID FOR AIDS makes a plea for donations to its HIV Medicine Recycling Program; C.M., an educator and artist living with HIV, critiques viral hysteria amid COVID-19 in “Have You Tested Positive? For What?”

19 ASK POZ Health and wellness tips

20 CARE AND TREATMENT Statin study REPRIEVE looks into aging with HIV • an up-and-coming long-acting treatment • does metformin promote weight loss? • HIV’s ties to policing, incarceration

22 RESEARCH NOTES

Generic Truvada • weekly treatment? • a natural HIV cure? • hep C elimination lags

23 BASICS Fatty liver disease

52 HEROES Anthony Fauci, MD, heads the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

POZ (ISSN 1075-5705) is published monthly except for the January/February, April/May, July/August and October/November issues ($19.97 for an 8-issue subscription) by Smart + Strong, 212 West 35th Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10001. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY, and additional mailing offices. Issue No. 248. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to POZ, 212 West 35th Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10001. Copyright © 2020 CDM Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted, in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher. Smart + Strong® and POZ® are registered trademarks of CDM Publishing, LLC.

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JOINED THE POZ STAFF in 2008, before the POZ 100 existed. The first list was launched in 2010. The intervening years between my stint as deputy editor and the debut of the POZ 100 are worth revisiting. President Obama was elected. He staffed up the President’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS, reopened the Office of National AIDS Policy and invited hundreds of people, many of them living with HIV, to the White House for an event to celebrate the launch of a National HIV/AIDS Strategy. Also, the Affordable Care Act had been signed into law, although it wouldn’t take full effect until 2014. Further, the travel ban for people living with HIV entering the United States was lifted. The International AIDS Conference was scheduled to return to the United States in 2012 as a result. The event had not been held here since 1990. There were plenty of reasons to feel as if AIDS activism was making progress again. The POZ 100 list was created to uplift those advocates at a crucial time. The POZ 100 was so well received that we did it again and again up to 2019. In the wake of COVID-19, it became clear to us that business as usual with the POZ 100 wasn’t going to be possible in 2020. Instead, we decided to hit the pause button to take a look back, celebrating 10 years of advocacy. It’s been a heartwarming ride. In fact, my time here at POZ will always be closely linked to the POZ 100. Can you guess which issue of the magazine was my first as editor-in-chief? That’s right, it was the December 2012 issue, which showcased the third annual POZ 100 list! After that baptism by fire, I knew that we (mostly I) needed a fresh approach. Our managing editor, Jennifer Morton, suggested that we make the list into a nomination process. It has remained that way ever since. My thanks to her and all the POZ staff for making the POZ 100 list a reality, but most of all to the community for participating.

Each year had a theme: honoring AIDS advocates; 100 people, things and ideas we love; accelerating the end of AIDS; unsung heroes; youth power; long-term survivors; the South; women; people 50 and over; and transgender, gender-nonconforming and nonbinary advocates. And we’re far from done. The POZ 100 will return in 2021. We usually don’t announce the theme of the list this far in advance, but, as they say, every rule has an exception. In recognition of the renewed Black Lives Matter movement, the 2021 POZ 100 will celebrate Black advocates. Stay tuned. Until then, please go to page 24 to read more about the POZ 100, including current words of wisdom from past honorees. Speaking of current times, one of the challenges we confront today is the widespread lack of belief in science. Science doesn’t even require belief. What it does require is an open mind. Anthony Fauci, MD, knows this all too well. As the longtime head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, he has been fighting this battle for decades. The COVID-19 pandemic has made his job that much more urgent. Go to page 52 for more.

ORIOL R. GUTIERREZ JR. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF editor-in-chief@poz.com

Want to read more from Oriol? Follow him on Twitter @oriolgutierrez and check out blogs.poz.com/oriol.

poz.com DECEMBER 2020 POZ 3

POZ Q+A

BY ORIOL R. GUTIERREZ JR.

Oriol R. Gutierrez Jr.

Derrick Mapp

Sherri Lewis

Jeff Taylor

AGING AT HOME Longtime HIV advocates share their insights on aging with HIV, including managing overall health.

HERRI LEWIS, DERRICK MAPP AND JEFF TAYLOR WERE OUR guests for the fourth episode of POZ at Home. Titled “HIV and Aging,” the episode premiered on Thursday, September 17, the day before National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day. POZ at Home is a series of Zoom events that bring together community members to discuss HIV-related topics. As editor-in-chief, I had the pleasure of hosting. Lewis spent her 20s in New York City as a singer and entertainer. She tested HIV positive in 1987. For more than three decades, she has been an HIV activist. She lives in Los Angeles, where she records music and is writing her memoir. Mapp is a long-term survivor working as a senior services care navigator and health counselor at the Shanti Project in San Francisco. He is dedicated to volunteering for advocacy efforts for HIV and cancer as well as for the LGBT community. Taylor is the executive director of the HIV+Aging Research Project—Palm Springs in California, which conducts patient-centered, community-based research on aging and HIV. As a long-term survivor, he has been active in HIV research since the 1980s. Go to poz.com/athome to watch this episode—which includes a video of Lewis giving a live performance of the Broadway song “Being Alive”—as well as additional POZ at Home episodes. Below is an edited and condensed transcript.

was radically changed, as it has been for all of us long-term survivors. None of us thought we’d be aging with HIV. Gutierrez: I tested positive in 1992. I just turned 50 this year, so I really feel like I’m finally part of the aging with HIV club. Derrick, give us some of your story.

Gutierrez: Sherri, why don’t we start with you.

Mapp: I was living in New York City at the time of my diagnosis. I remember that even for my doctor, it came as a surprise. I asked him for the test outside of the time we normally would do it because I was having flu-like symptoms. It was a shock to both of us. I still kind of get shaky in the voice about it. Seeing my response, my doctor immediately connected me to a therapist and got me a taxi. It took me almost a year to get on HIV medication because I couldn’t figure out what I wanted to do since it was before effective treatment.

Lewis: My HIV test came back positive on my 33rd birthday. I was about to get mar-

Gutierrez: Let’s hear from Jeff.

ried, was healthy and wanted to get pregnant. I was in Cambridge, Massachusetts, at the time, where my fiancé and his son lived. Of course, all plans were off. My life

Taylor: I was in college studying abroad

4 POZ DECEMBER 2020 poz.com

in Japan when I first heard of this thing going around. I returned to Chicago when it was getting scary. When both of the American expats I dated in Japan tested HIV positive, I had a strong suspicion that I was also positive. I didn’t get tested at the time because there wasn’t much you could do about it. In 1988, I went for a routine dental exam. The provider excused herself and came back in dressed from head to toe in a biohazard containment suit with a plastic face shield. She said, “Don’t be alarmed.” It was a little late for that. She saw oral hairy leukoplakia, which could be indicative of a suppressed immune system. She suggested I get tested for HIV, which came back positive. I was told I had about two years to live, not what you want to hear at 26. The first thing I did was get a lifetime g ym membership to try to prevent wasting away. The second thing I did was enroll in the first clinical trials of AZT, which started me down the research rabbit hole. Knowledge is power. Gutierrez: Aging with HIV also means we’re dealing with comorbidities. Can you all share any related experiences?

I didn’t take HIV medications for the first 15 years because I believed my T cells were healthy enough. When I finally started them, I got lipodystrophy. My face caved in, my arms became skinny ballerina arms and my belly became a Buddha belly. The drugs that were meant to prevent AIDS made me look like I was dying from it. I was cured of hepatitis C, which gives me hope we’ll have an HIV cure. I’ve always been optimistic about staying alive.

Lewis:

Most research has focused on treatment. We also now have biomedical prevention. We’re still not doing enough to understand what’s happening to most of us living with HIV who are now in our 50s, 60s and older. Our group mostly looks at psychosocial research. What’s it like for people living with HIV to get older? What kind of resiliency do they have? What kind of stigma, loneliness and isolation are they experiencing? These are the things we’re focused on right now. It’s also been fascinating to see how folks are doing during the COVID-19 crisis. We surveyed about 100 people over 50 living with HIV to see what their experiences were with the new coronavirus. We were concerned they would go down rapidly with posttraumatic stress disorder and fear, etc. What we found, and what clinicians

Taylor:

Gutierrez: I can relate. Mental health is

the most universal thing that we’ve all had to deal with, our ups and downs. So Jeff, please tell us more about the mission of the HIV+Aging Research Project—Palm Springs.

Lewis: In terms of stories, it’s not just restricted to West Hollywood. We’re working with @TheAIDSMemorial on Instagram to share stories from everywhere. It’s not a building, but instead, it’s a beautiful outdoor structure. It’s going to be gorgeous. And it’s very emotional. Sorting through the stories was a part of my committee. I want to continue focusing on the stories of women and children that were so badly overlooked in the past. Gutierrez: A question from the audience:

“The thing that has saved me is talking with people I trust.” are telling us, is that people are really resilient. They’ve gotten this far because they know what to do. They’ve been at this pandemic rodeo before. Gutierrez: Derrick, you’re a community representative for the ANCHOR study on anal cancer. Tell us about it. Mapp: Anal cancer is caused by human

Mapp: I’ve had to deal with my mental health. I’m diagnosed with severe depression, which at certain times can be quite debilitating. The thing that has saved me is talking with people I trust.

Gutierrez: Part of aging with HIV is about remembering those we’ve lost, but also celebrating those who remain. To that end, STORIES: The AIDS Monument is currently under construction in West Hollywood, California. Sherri, you’re on the board. Please tell us more.

papillomavirus (HPV). Changes to the skin around and inside the anus can result from HPV. These changes are called high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). About half of men who have sex with men living with HIV have anal HSIL. Most HSIL resolve on their own, but some could turn into cancer. To prevent anal cancer, would it be better to just observe HSIL as they develop? Or is it better to actively treat them? Those are the central questions.

Derrick, would you consider being Black in America a comorbidity? Absolutely. In fact, I see what’s happening today as a pandemic of a lack of empathy. That’s in terms of all health inequalities for COVID-19 and HIV.

Mapp:

Gutierrez: Another audience question: How do we help younger folks understand what we’ve gone through? Lewis: It’s a challenge. I used to visit schools all the time to share my HIV story. We need to keep going to schools; we still need to write and speak about all the things that we’ve gone through. Whether it’s high schools or colleges, HIV isn’t really part of the curriculum.

Thank you all for sharing your perspectives on aging with HIV. ■

Gutierrez:

poz.com DECEMBER 2020 POZ 5

POZ PLANET BY TRENT STRAUBE

Mark’s Milestones

The death of my best friend, Lesley, in 1987. I was with him. I was 26. That changes you forever. I think a lot of us long-term survivors are a little bit haunted.

The arrival of combination therapy in 1996. To those of us with access to health care, effective HIV treatment was a finish line [that meant] you might enjoy a full life.

Getting clean and sober. I started the process in 2005. After you find out you’re going to live, you have to take care of yourself. I had some baggage from the trauma of AIDS, and it presented itself as drug addiction.

U=U. I had internalized that I felt like a threat, and I had pretended it didn’t bother me—until the science proved [I wasn’t able to transmit HIV because I’m undetectable]. To shed that burden was profound.

Marrying Michael. We met at an AIDS conference in 2012. We married in 2015. I found love when I was over 50—that’s when I was finally ready to be a good husband.

Black Lives Matter. It taught me that our AIDS movement leaves people behind. I say to long-term survivors, “Don’t get caught up in our own great tragedy. Use it to have empathy for someone else.”

For more details and to register, visit MarkIs60.com.

YOU’RE INVITED! HIV blogger and activist Mark S. King turns 60 with a digital blowout celebrating all long-term survivors and featuring A-list celebs. Here, the birthday boy, er, man, reveals more details. How does it feel to approach the big 6-0? Existential panic sets in when you’re about to hit a milestone, but I’ve been practicing. I’ve already been telling people I’m 60. And then you’re immediately hurt when they just keep talking and don’t express shock. But you’re asking for it. You can’t win. What? You’re 60? Impossible, you look so young! I’ve had a lot of work done, like when I had my face fixed for facial wasting. And you know what, I’m going to see my face doctor [next month], but now I’m going because I’m old. There’s this tension between being grateful for being alive and thinking that aging is a bummer. I don’t get to bitch like everyone else [just because I survived HIV]? I think not! What can you tell us about the December 16 party? This ain’t another webinar. No PowerPoint slides, no crying. This is a celebration and a chance for all of us who have been missing each other so much to come together for a perfectly frivolous and silly and yet important time to have fun. The one-hour birthday event is a show all attendees can watch. There’s going to be musical performances and surprise celebrities, and I

6 POZ DECEMBER 2020 poz.com

don’t mean D-list but A-list celebrities will make an appearance. To do what? To come in and cheer on long-term survivors of HIV. I get to throw a party for my 60th birthday, but, really, what you’ll see in that hour is a celebration for all of us who have met major milestones we never thought we’d make. Then there’ll be an after-party on Zoom, where you’ll get to see and be seen and talk, and there’ll be breakout lounges, where if you see friends from [AIDS conferences] you can chat. The party’s a benefit for The Reunion Project. What’s your relationship with the group? I just admire them. They’re a national network of long-term survivors who have been putting on excellent events. They took a campaign and turned it into action and a program. Not to be a party pooper, but is your event free? Anybody can view the event. We’d like you to register so you can get the link and the reminders—and so you can make a contribution to The Reunion Project, but you don’t have to. We want to make it accessible to everyone. Anyone who is a long-term survivor should be able to sashay into this party!

(KING) COURTESY OF MARK. S. KING

The activist lists six life-changing events since his HIV diagnosis on March 15, 1985.

“NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US” Long-term survivors release a statement detailing their challenges and demands. What are the struggles and needs of long-term survivors, those who were HIV positive before the arrival of effective treatment in 1996, who buried their friends, suffered extreme stigma and acted as guinea pigs for drug companies only to find their needs ignored and taking a back seat to HIV prevention efforts? Well, a group of Activists long-term survivors and advocates met over announce Zoom during the summer and crafted the San the San Francisco Principles, a statement outlining Francisco Principles. five challenges and seven demands. “As we age with HIV, we face the debilitating physical and mental health effects of aging at an accelerated rate,” coauthor Hank Trout, an activist and editor at A&U magazine, said at a press event announcing the document. “Even though we make up over 50% of adults living with HIV in the U.S., we are nowhere to be found in state or national AIDS policies. The president’s ‘Ending the HIV Epidemic’ program doesn’t even include us. “We survivors in San Francisco,” he continued, “set the global standard for compassionate care for people living with HIV and AIDS, and we intend to do the same for longterm survivors.”

In general, the San Francisco Principles demand health care that is better tailored to the aging HIV population and that addresses mental health issues, such as isolation, depression, substance abuse and the trauma of surviving AIDS. Further asks include allocated resources for the needs of long-term survivors, a place at the planning table— “nothing about us without us”—and an alignment with other social justice movements. You can read and endorse the statement online. It’s inspired by the 1983 Denver Principles, a groundbreaking manifesto of empowerment by people living with AIDS.

“I CAN GIVE YOU…”

(SAN FRANCISCO PRINCIPLES) LIZ HIGHLEYMAN; (“I CAN GIVE U”) INSTAGRAM/@THEACCIDENTALHIVACTIVIST

An empowering grassroots U=U campaign The call to action went out via social media: “Are you a person living with HIV who would be interested in participating in this awareness campaign? Email a picture of yourself along with ONE word beginning with H, I and V that describes what you CAN give to others. I will be posting and sharing on various social media platforms with a vision of putting together video submissions as the next version of this campaign.… Please email your submission to ICanGiveUcampaign@gmail.com.” And thus, Randy Davis launched the digital “I Can Give U” campaign to bring awareness to the Undetectable Equals Untransmittable (U=U) message and in the process highlight amazing and diverse members of the HIV community. The resulting campaign shows photos of people who are HIV positive along with the phrases “I Can Give You [the three words that start with H, I and V]” and then the kicker: “I Can’t Give U HIV.”

Davis, who is the gay men’s sexual health coordinator at the Gilbert Centre in Ontario, says the project will continue as long as he gets new submissions. He has received over Three samples, 100 from across the including globe, and the campaign Randy Davis is being translated into (top right) Italian, French, Portuguese and Spanish. “I am both (H)umbled and (I)nspired by each participant who has helped make my (V)ision a reality,” he posted on Facebook. Davis tells POZ he created the campaign to “show folks living with HIV that our value doesn’t equate to our viral load and that we are so much more than just what we can’t give.”

poz.com DECEMBER 2020 POZ 7

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.

(bik-TAR-vee)

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, 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. 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 effects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%).

 Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. 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.

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:

These are not all the possible side effects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY.

 Have or have had any kidney or liver problems,

including hepatitis infection.

 Have any other health problems.

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.

 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.

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.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take:  Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-

counter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

 BIKTARVY and other medicines may affect 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.

Get HIV support by downloading a free app at

MyDailyCharge.com

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, DAILY CHARGE, the DAILY CHARGE Logo, KEEP LOVING, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. Version date: February 2020 © 2020 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. BVYC0197 03/20

PZA525977.pgs 10.26.2020 16:02

ESA

NIKKI LIVING WITH HIV SINCE 2008 REAL BIKTARVY PATIENT

KEEP LOVING.

Because HIV doesn’t change who you are.

BIKTARVY® is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in certain adults. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.

Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you. See Nikki’s story at BIKTARVY.com. Featured patient compensated by Gilead.

Please see Important Facts about BIKTARVY, including important warnings, on the previous page and visit BIKTARVY.com.

PZA525978.pgs 10.26.2020 16:04

ESA

POZ PLANET

FOUR COMICS FOR YOU Visual AIDS commissions a new series about HIV today. Since the AIDS epidemic’s early days, comics have served to educate and advocate. In keeping with that history, Strip AIDS 2020, a series of four new comics, offers modern perspectives about life with the virus. Commissioned by the nonprofit Visual AIDS, which uses art to fight HIV, and curated by London-based artist Paul Sammut, the fun, click-through comic strips are all posted on VisualAIDS.org/comics.

Paco by Carlo Quispe Addresses the fear that surrounds HIV testing in the gay community.

10 POZ DECEMBER 2020 poz.com

A four-part podcast Above: two pages from series hosted by Just a Pill? graphic novelist Alexandro Segade and featuring the comics’ creators and special guests is available on Spotify, iTunes, SoundCloud and other platforms. Print copies of the comics will be available in 2021, in conjunction with a gallery exhibition about HIV and comics that’s in the works.

Strutting to Stop Stigma by Mel Rattue Tells of Catwalk4Power, a U.K.-based anti-stigma project led by women with HIV.

“Comics can be a good venue for AIDS advocacy because of their ability to communicate so widely,” Sammut tells POZ. “As they’re primarily a visual medium, comics are a great tool for sharing people’s views, aspirations and experiences. This visual focus is engaging and can transcend language barriers, allowing them to convey ideas broadly, with immediacy and across demographics.”

Just a Pill? by J. Amaro and A. Andrews Explores what it means to be “living well” with HIV in the age of effective treatment.

Legalize Positivity by Inés Ixierda and Clio Sady Discusses the injustice of HIV criminalization in the United States.

(COMICS) COURTESY OF VISUAL AIDS; (RED HOT ALBUMS) COURTESY OF RED HOT ORGANIZATION; (MEMORIAL) COURTESY OF NEW YORK CITY AIDS MEMORIAL; (CAPITOL BUILDING) ISTOCK; (ROBINSON) YOUTUBE.COM

BY TRENT STRAUBE

1 2

THE BEAT GOES ON

Reissues of ’90s Red Hot AIDS benefit albums In 1990, the Red Hot Organization released its debut compilation album to raise HIV funds and awareness. A collection of Cole Porter covers by megastars such as U2, Annie Lennox and Sinéad O’Connor, Red Hot + Blue was a hit and kicked off the Red Hot AIDS Benefit Series of nearly 20 albums. To mark the project’s 30th anniversary, Red “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”

EVERYDAY December

Hot digitally reissued five of the albums plus a retooled video of Neneh Cherry’s “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.” “What made Red Hot + Blue so impactful and different was that it celebrated life and the power of music and art to lift people up during dark times,” John Carlin, Red Hot’s president and cofounder, told Rolling Stone. “Red Hot pioneered using pop culture for social change—good propaganda.” In the process, Red Hot drew major funding for AIDS causes, including $1 million to activist coalition ACT UP and its Treatment Action Group.

These dates represent milestones in the HIV epidemic. Visit poz.com/aidsiseveryday to learn more about the history of HIV/AIDS. BY JENNIFER MORTON

The World Health Organization (WHO) launches WORLD AIDS DAY. (1988)

THE NEW YORK CITY MEMORIAL, a tribute AIDS MEMORIAL to the over 100,000 New Yorkers who have died of AIDS-related illness, is unveiled at a public dedication on World AIDS Day. (2016)

The five album releases include: 1. Red Hot + Blue Covers of Cole Porter’s music; 1990 2. Red Hot + Bothered An indie rock anthology; 1995 3. Offbeat—A Red Hot Sound Trip A music compilation companion piece to the multimedia release The Beat Experience about Beat culture; 1996 4. Silencio = Muerto: Red Hot + Latin A compilation that puts a global focus on HIV in Latin communities in the United States and South America; 1997 5. Red Hot + Indigo A tribute to Duke Ellington; 2001

AIDS ACTIVIST KATRINA HASLIP dies of AIDS-related causes at age 33. Haslip’s advocacy helped force the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to expand the definition of HIV/AIDS to include more illnesses that affect women. (1992)

CONGRESS VOTES TO LIFT THE BAN on using federal funding for needle exchange programs nationwide. (2009)

13 17

CONGRESS VOTES TO RESTORE A BAN on using federal funding for needle exchange programs. (2011)

MAX ROBINSON, the first Black network news anchor in the United States, dies of AIDS-related causes at age 49. (1988)

poz.com DECEMBER 2020 POZ 11

VOICES BLOGS AND OPINIONS FROM POZ.COM

DONATE NOW

IV, the virus that causes AIDS, was discovered in 1983. Today, more than 38 million people worldwide are living with the virus, and more than 40% of them lack access to treatment. Since 1996, AID FOR AIDS (AFA) has pioneered an essential program that collects surplus HIV medication in the United States to recycle and redistribute it to people who would not have access to it. AFA perfoms this service as humanitarian aid in non-U.S. territories. The HIV Medicine Recycling Program was AFA’s ﬁrst program. For 24 years, it has been providing lifesaving drugs to more than 20,000 people in 59 countries. Today, it is the largest HIV medicine redistribution program in the United States, having collected and redistributed nearly $160 million worth of medicines. COVID-19 has changed the world, and AFA is no exception. The HIV Medicine Recycling Program has been deeply affected, as the locations that provided drug delivery boxes and shipping services were temporarily closed to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. Donations have been reduced by 60% to 80% due to COVID-19, compromising the continuity of treatment for more than 1,000 people who currently rely on AFA as their

12 POZ DECEMBER 2020 poz.com

primary access to HIV treatment. AFA gathers, sorts, discards and stores unused, unexpired medicines including: • Antiretrovirals: protease inhibitors, nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, entry inhibitors and integrase inhibitors;

“Become a lifeline for someone else.” • Other medicines that may beneﬁt people with HIV, including antifungals/ antimycotics, antibiotics and treatments for respiratory conditions, diabetes, elevated cholesterol, hepatitis C and other comorbidities. If you’re interested in donating your surplus medications: 1. Send your unexpired medications to our headquarters at: 131 Varick Street, Suite 1006, New York, New York 10013. If you are unable to cover the shipping expenses, please email us at lklie@aidforaids.org so we can provide you with a prepaid shipping label. 2. AFA accepts all unexpired antiret-

roviral medications as well as all medicines that may be useful to manage comorbid conditions in people living with HIV. AFA accepts bottles that have been opened as long as the medicine is unexpired. AFA accepts sealed containers of liquid and powder medications and both sealed and unsealed containers of pills. 3. Please remove the names and addresses of all individuals from prescription bottles in order for us to comply with privacy and conﬁdentiality laws. Always leave the medicine’s name and expiration date visible. 4. Please place all pill bottles in a sealable plastic bag, and place this bag inside a padded envelope or cardboard box. All pill bottles should be securely closed. Please do not send any loose capsules or tablets inside a plastic bag or box! 5. Please ﬁll out the donor card available at aidforaids.org, print it and place the card inside the envelope or box. If you would like to keep your donation anonymous, please include the other information requested, which enables us to track donations and monitor trends. Your recycled meds can become a lifeline for someone else. From making donations to sharing information, any form of help can save many lives! ■

ISTOCK

In the opinion piece “Medicine Shortages Are an Unseen Consequence of COVID-19,” the nonprofit group AID FOR AIDS makes an urgent plea for donations to its HIV Medicine Recycling Program. Below is an edited excerpt.

POSITIVE YET? C.M. is an educator and artist living with HIV. They critique the conversation around COVID-19 and the notion of “viral hysteria” in an opinion piece titled “Have You Tested Positive Yet? For What?” Below is an edited excerpt.

ISTOCK

n the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, with nations beginning phases of reopening—some quicker than others—one could pose the question “What happens now?” Or rather, “What have we learned and will continue to learn from this experience?” One thing for sure is that the United States has had one of the worst responses to COVID-19 and is leading in the number of cases and deaths across the globe. However, is this a surprise, given the historically negligent response by the United States to other viruses, which I assert through the expression “viral hysteria” (the sociopolitical reaction to viruses)? The reality is, the United States was never ready to handle such a fastspreading pathogen as SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. This is especially true, given the current administration has systematically rejected the role of science to inform policy. One could also argue American arrogance is playing a major role in the wide range of domestic responses to COVID-19 in comparison to other nations. The current response to COVID-19 is a direct result of the global activism and conversation that has already existed around HIV/AIDS, as well as preventive measures like pre-exposure prophylaxis

(PrEP), post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and Undetectable Equals Untransmittable (U=U). As a person living with HIV who has an undetectable viral load, I ﬁnd myself not only thriving in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic but also feeling slightly puzzled more often than not by the language surrounding this virus. This is a result of my internal processing of how to respond when I’m asked the question “Have you tested positive yet?” Ultimately, I’m left feeling unsure what to mention. Are you asking about the HIV that I contracted in August 2016? Or are you asking me whether I tested positive for COVID-19? That I have evidently survived the new coronavirus, developed antibodies and can now hang out, hike, do brunch, attend a trendy protest for Black Lives Matter or rightfully show solidarity for my Black transgender sisters by joining them in Brooklyn to scream “Black Trans Lives Matter” at the top of our lungs? Nevertheless, I ﬁnd myself sequestered in my room because I need to work from home in order to earn an income for rent to have a roof over my head and maintain my insurance and access to lifesaving medication. Or do I risk eviction by joining the rent strike because we know housing

insecurity has always been a reality for queer bodies, as has an inability to access insurance to afford the monthly cost of HIV medication? Without these, what are my chances of living? At what cost am I willing to stay alive? Because when I’m asked the question “Have you tested positive yet?” I experience anxiety and a loss for words, except for the mental rhetorical response “Positive for what?” Because shame has always existed around a positive HIV status. If people are not willing to wear a mask to avoid spreading the new coronavirus, what makes us think people will wear a condom? Or let alone take preventive HIV medication that comes with a high cost and a round of pharmaceutical games? Or face the reality of having a positive diagnosis for a virus the world isn’t prepared for—be it HIV or SARS-CoV-2? Is this naiveté a direct result of the way COVID-19 is disproportionately impacting low-income communities of color? Similar to how HIV and AIDS have historically affected these communities as well? And is this why the Trump administration is turning a blind eye to COVID-19? Because we all know—especially those of us living with HIV in the now—that we are ﬁghting to live in a for-proﬁt health care system. ■

poz.com DECEMBER 2020 POZ 13

SPOTLIGHT BY JOE MEJÍA

R.I.P. Timothy Ray Brown The death of Timothy Ray Brown (March 11, 1966– September 29, 2020), the first man cured of HIV, was met with an outpouring of appreciation on social media for the hope he provided both to people living with HIV and the scientists studying the virus. Diagnosed with HIV in 1995, Brown, who was born in Seattle, was on antiretroviral treatment and living in Berlin when he was diagnosed with unrelated leukemia in 2006. A year later, to treat the blood cancer, he underwent two bone marrow transplants using stem cells from a donor with a rare genetic mutation that blocks HIV from entering cells. In 2008, following chemotherapy and radiation, not only had Brown’s cancer gone into remission, but his newly rebuilt immune system had also eradicated his HIV. Thus was born “the Berlin Patient” made famous by the media and the medical community. Although he became a willing study subject, undergoing extensive testing and examination in the interest of science, the naturally shy Brown didn’t publicly reveal his identity until 2011, explaining that he realized he had to share his story to ensure that he would not remain the only person ever cured of HIV, which, in fact, he turned out not to be. Among those who paid tribute to Brown, who died of leukemia, which had relapsed last year, was Adam Castillejo, who in 2019 became the second man cured of HIV, following a treatment for lymphoma similar to Brown’s. In a post on Facebook, Castillejo, addressing Brown, shared, “I do hope to keep your legacy alive for many years to come together with [your partner,] Tim Hoeffgen.” Although the grueling treatment Brown endured in 2007 nearly killed him and indeed would never be carried out on someone with HIV who did not have cancer, Brown bravely and gracefully shouldered the responsibility of embodying hope for so many. According to Hoeffgen, Brown’s last message to those he left behind was to “fight for a cure for HIV that works for everyone.”

Posts may be edited for clarity and/or space. 14 POZ DECEMBER 2020 poz.com

poz.com DECEMBER 2020 POZ 15

YOU MATTER AND SO DOES YOUR HEALTH If you’re HIV positive, it’s important to start and stay on HIV-1 treatment. DESCOVY® for HIV-1 Treatment is a prescription medicine that is used together with other HIV-1 medicines to treat HIV-1 in people who weigh at least 77 lbs. DESCOVY for HIV-1 Treatment combines 2 medicines into 1 pill taken once a day. Because DESCOVY for HIV-1 Treatment by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1, it must be used together with other HIV-1 medicines to treat HIV-1. DESCOVY for HIV-1 Treatment does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS.

HOW TO TAKE DESCOVY FOR HIV-1 TREATMENT

PART OF ONE PILL, ONCE A DAY DESCOVY® (FTC/TAF) combined with other medicines in 1 pill is a complete treatment.

MULTI-PILL TREATMENT OR

One DESCOVY pill + other medicines is a complete treatment.

DESCOVY is not a complete treatment: it must be taken with other medicines. Do not change your dose or stop taking DESCOVY without ﬁrst talking to your healthcare provider.

Ask your healthcare provider if an HIV-1 treatment that contains DESCOVY is right for you. To learn more about one-pill HIV-1 treatment options containing DESCOVY, visit onepilloptions.com

If you’re HIV negative, DESCOVY for PrEP® can help prevent HIV. DESCOVY for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a once-daily prescription medicine for adults and adolescents at risk of HIV. It helps lower the chances of getting HIV through sex. DESCOVY for PrEP is not for everyone: • It is not for use in people assigned female at birth who are at risk of getting HIV from vaginal sex, because its effectiveness has not been studied. • You must be HIV-negative before and while taking DESCOVY for PrEP.

Talk to a healthcare provider about your risk for HIV and if DESCOVY for PrEP may be an option for you. See how DESCOVY can help those at risk for HIV at DESCOVY.com/PrEP

Get HIV support by downloading a free app at

MyDailyCharge.com

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IMPORTANT FACTS

This is only a brief summary of important information about taking DESCOVY. This does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your medicine.

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT DESCOVY DESCOVY for HIV-1 Treatment and DESCOVY for PrEP® may cause serious side effects: • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. Your healthcare provider will test you for HBV. If you have HBV and stop taking DESCOVY, your HBV may suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking DESCOVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health or give you HBV medicine. Before starting and while taking DESCOVY for PrEP: • You must be HIV-negative. You must get tested for HIV immediately before and at least every 3 months while taking DESCOVY. If you think you were exposed to HIV, tell your healthcare provider right away. They may want to do more tests to confirm that you are still HIV-negative. • Many HIV tests can miss HIV infection in a person who has recently become infected. Symptoms of new HIV infection include tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting or while taking DESCOVY. • DESCOVY by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. Do not take DESCOVY for PrEP unless you are confirmed to be HIV negative. • DESCOVY does not prevent other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Practice safer sex by using a latex or polyurethane condom to reduce the risk of getting STIs. • To further help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1: • Do not miss any doses of DESCOVY for PrEP. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1.

(des-KOH-vee)

ABOUT DESCOVY DESCOVY is a prescription medicine that has two uses: To treat HIV: DESCOVY for HIV-1 Treatment is a prescription medicine that is used together with other HIV-1 medicines to treat HIV-1 in people who weigh at least 77 lbs. DESCOVY for HIV-1 Treatment combines 2 medicines into 1 pill taken once a day. Because DESCOVY for HIV-1 Treatment by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1, it must be used together with other HIV-1 medicines to treat HIV-1. DESCOVY for HIV-1 Treatment does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS. To prevent HIV: DESCOVY for PrEP is a once-daily prescription medicine for adults and adolescents at risk of HIV who weigh at least 77 pounds. It helps lower the chances of getting HIV through sex. DESCOVY for PrEP is not for everyone: • It is not for use in people assigned female at birth who are at risk of getting HIV from vaginal sex, because its effectiveness has not been studied. • You must be HIV-negative before and while taking DESCOVY for PrEP. To help determine your risk of getting HIV-1, talk openly with your healthcare provider about your sexual health. Do NOT take DESCOVY for PrEP if you: • Already have HIV-1 or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. If you have HIV-1 and take only DESCOVY, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat now and in the future. • If you have HIV-1, you need to take other medicines with DESCOVY to treat HIV-1. Continued on the next page.

• Know your HIV status and the HIV status of your partners. If your partner is living with HIV, your risk of getting HIV is lower if your partner consistently takes HIV treatment every day. • Get tested for other STIs. Some STIs make it easier for HIV-1 to infect you. • Talk to your healthcare provider about all the ways to help reduce HIV risk.

Please see Important Facts about DESCOVY, including important warnings, continued on the next page and at DESCOVY.com.

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IMPORTANT FACTS (continued)

This is only a brief summary of important information about taking DESCOVY®. This does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your medicine.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF DESCOVY DESCOVY for HIV-1 Treatment and DESCOVY for PrEP® can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “Most Important Information About DESCOVY” section. • New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys before and during treatment with DESCOVY. If you develop kidney problems, your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking DESCOVY. • 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, lightcolored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. DESCOVY for HIV-1 Treatment can cause an additional side effect: • Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to ﬁght infections. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking DESCOVY for HIV-1 Treatment. The most common side effect of DESCOVY for HIV-1 Treatment is nausea. The most common side effect of DESCOVY for PrEP is diarrhea. These are not all the possible side effects of DESCOVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking DESCOVY. 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 DESCOVY.

(des-KOH-vee)

• Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: • Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-thecounter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. • Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with DESCOVY.

HOW TO TAKE DESCOVY DESCOVY for HIV-1 Treatment: • DESCOVY is a one pill, once a day HIV-1 medicine that is taken with other HIV-1 medicines. • Do not change your dose or stop taking DESCOVY for HIV-1 Treatment without ﬁrst talking with your healthcare provider. DESCOVY for PrEP: • Take 1 tablet once a day, every day, not just when you think you have been exposed to HIV-1. • Do not miss any doses. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. • Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months. You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking DESCOVY for PrEP.

GET MORE INFORMATION • This is only a brief summary of important information about DESCOVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more. • Go to DESCOVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5. • If you need help paying for DESCOVY for HIV-1 Treatment, visit DESCOVY.com/treatment for program information. • If you need help paying for DESCOVY for PrEP, visit DESCOVY.com/prep for program information. Advancing Access® specialists can help you understand your health insurance and Gilead medication costs. For more information, visit GileadAdvancingAccess.com or call 1-800-226-2056, M–F, 9am–8pm ET.

BEFORE TAKING DESCOVY Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis. • Have any other medical conditions. • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. DESCOVY, the DESCOVY Logo, DESCOVY FOR PrEP, DAILY CHARGE, the DAILY CHARGE Logo, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, ADVANCING ACCESS, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. Version date: January 2020 © 2020 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. DVYC0264 09/20

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ASK POZ WELLNESS TIPS FROM POZ.COM

What is a normal body temperature? A normal body temperature is usually said to be 98.6°F (37°C), but this varies from person to person, and it can fluctuate depending on your age, activities and the time of day. It also depends on the method used to measure it. A temperature taken with a rectal or ear thermometer can be about a degree higher than an oral temperature, while an armpit or forehead measurement can be a degree lower. A reading between 97°F and 99°F is typical for an adult. Fever is one of the most common symptoms of COVID-19. If you experience a fever after possibly being exposed to the new coronavirus, you should isolate yourself and be alert for worsening symptoms, especially difficulty breathing. When doing temperature screening for COVID-19, state and company guidelines use different thresholds for what is considered a fever, generally ranging from 99.5°F to 100.4°F. Seek medical attention if your temperature is above 103°F (for an adult or a child age 3 or older) or if a fever lasts more than a few days.

ALL IMAGES: ISTOCK (MODEL USED FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY)

Why do cold temperatures bother me? Sensitivity to the cold is one sign of an underactive thyroid gland, known as hypothyroidism. Other symptoms can include fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, constipation and dry skin. Ask your doctor to test your TSH and other thyroid hormone levels. This common condition can be treated with medication. Anemia, abnormal blood vessel constriction (such as Raynaud’s syndrome) and low body weight can also cause a person to feel cold. However, individuals vary widely in their sensitivity to cold and heat, and this does not necessarily indicate a medical problem. —LH

WHAT IS A NORMAL BLOOD PRESSURE? According to the American Heart Association, a normal blood pressure is a systolic pressure (the top number) less than 120 and a diastolic pressure (the bottom number) less than 80—that is, 120/80 or lower. A systolic number between 120 and 129 is considered elevated. A systolic number between 130 and 139 with a diastolic number between 80 and 89 indicates Stage 1 hypertension, while a systolic number of 140 or above with a diastolic number of 90 or higher is Stage 2 hypertension. Experts estimate that between a third and nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure, which is more common among Black people. At early stages, it has no symptoms. Hypertension, one of the features of metabolic syndrome, increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart failure, stroke and vision problems. What’s more, high blood pressure is associated with more severe COVID-19 complications. Smoking cessation, weight loss, exercise and a healthy diet can help lower blood pressure. If this is not enough, medications can help keep it under control. —Liz Highleyman

Ask POZ is an ongoing section on POZ.com dedicated to answering general wellness questions. Go to poz.com/ask to read more answers, and email ask@poz.com to submit your questions!

poz.com DECEMBER 2020 POZ 19

CARE AND TREATMENT BY BENJAMIN RYAN

Up-and-Coming Long-Acting Treatment

STATIN STUDY LOOKS INTO AGING WITH HIV The ongoing global REPRIEVE trial, which has enrolled 7,700 people taking HIV treatment, seeks to determine the effect of a cholesterol-lowering statin on cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes among people with HIV. But the study findings are already shedding light on many other pressing questions about the health of people living, and aging, with the virus. The highly diverse group of HIV-positive participants entered the multiyear study with a low to moderate risk for CVD according to standard risk calculators. They were randomized to receive either Livalo (pitavastatin) or a placebo. When entering the study, the participants had a median age of 50, had been living with the virus for a median of 13 years and had been on antiretrovirals for a decade. While the central CVD-related results of REPRIEVE are not expected until 2023, the study authors have already made some important preliminary findings about comorbidities, or other health conditions, among the participants. A substantial number of the study members have signs of reduced renal, or kidney, function. It’s possible that Livalo may end up slowing or preventing further declines in their kidney function. Concerningly, many of the study members have excess fat around the heart, which is tied to a higher risk of heart trouble. The study population also has a high rate of impaired muscle strength and function, which potentially indicates widespread frailty. Women of more advanced reproductive age in the study are more likely to have a larger waist (measured as waist circumference) and high blood levels of hemoglobin, both of which are CVD risk factors. Among the 2% of the participants who are transgender women, high waist circumference is more common, in particular among those receiving gender-affirming hormones; such treatment has also been tied to a higher risk for CVD. “These findings highlight the significant prevalence of major comorbidities—including cardiovascular disease, frailty, renal disease and premature ovarian aging—and the promise of REPRIEVE to provide critical information relevant to the health and well-being of people with HIV,” says the study’s primary investigator, Steven Grinspoon, MD, of Harvard Medical School.

20 POZ DECEMBER 2020 poz.com

A promising monkey study has teed up human trials of a new long-acting injectable antiretroviral (ARV) from Navigen known as CPT31. The drug’s developers hope CPT31 could be injected as infrequently as every three months and, as the research in monkeys has suggested, would work both as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) against HIV and as treatment for the virus. Human trials of the drug should be underway by the end of 2020. “Our hope is that CPT31 will provide extended viral suppression with a lower dose and reduced side effects,” says Brett Welch, PhD, a senior director of technology and strategy at Salt Lake City–based Navigen. Welch and his colleagues injected macaque monkeys that did not have SHIV (a hybrid simian-human form of HIV) with a single dose of CPT31. A few days after the injection, they exposed the animals to a very high amount of SHIV. None contracted the virus. The investigators found that CPT31 blocks the vast majority of HIV strains circulating around the globe. To investigate how well the drug worked as ARV treatment, the scientists injected a single dose of CPT31 into macaques that had untreated SHIV and very high viral loads. Over the course of about 30 days, the animals’ viral loads declined by about 100-fold. But during the subsequent two or three weeks, the animals’ viral levels rebounded as SHIV developed resistance to CPT31. Next, the investigators took macaques that had a fully suppressed SHIV viral load thanks to a standard ARV regimen. They injected these monkeys with CPT31, discontinued their other ARVs and continued CPT31 for an additional 12 weeks. They found that the injectable drug prevented the virus from rebounding during that time.

Does Metformin Promote Weight Loss? Twelve weeks of the diabetes drug metformin was associated with a decline in body weight and an improvement in the gut microbiome of HIV-positive people who did not have diabetes in a small study. Jean-Pierre Routy, MD, a professor of medicine at McGill University in Montreal, and his colleagues enrolled 23 such individuals who had been taking antiretrovirals for at least two years. The researchers collected blood and stool samples from the participants upon their entry into the study. They took repeat samples after the participants completed 12 weeks of metformin and again 12 weeks after they discontinued treatment. The scientists found that the participants’ reduction in body weight was linked to higher blood levels of a protein that helps prompt a feeling of fullness. Metformin use was also associated with an increase in anti-inflammatory bacteria in the gut. No serious adverse health events occurred among the participants. “For now, we do not have enough data to recommend to prediabetic persons or overweight persons to use metformin when sugar control is normal,” Routy says. He and his coauthors, however, concluded that their findings justify a larger placebo-controlled clinical trial of longer-term metformin treatment to determine its effects on lowering inflammation and the risk of non-AIDSrelated health conditions in people on antiretroviral treatment.

ALL IMAGES: ISTOCK (MODEL USED FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY)

HIV’S TIES TO POLICING, INCARCERATION Among Black gay, bisexual and other sexual minority men, having a history of incarceration and having experienced police discrimination are associated with having more risk factors for acquiring HIV. That’s according to a new study out of Rutgers University that surveyed 1,172 men in this demographic from across the country. Forty-three percent of the men reported experiencing police discrimination during the previous year. This rate was even higher among those with a history of incarceration. Those who experienced police discrimination were more likely to report behaviors linked to a substantial risk for HIV, a low willingness to take pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and high levels of psychological distress. Participants who had been incarcerated or had recently been arrested, compared with those who had no such history, likewise had a higher overall level of HIV risk and a lower willingness to take PrEP. The study’s authors called for advocacy and interventions aimed at reducing discrimination in the criminal justice system and in society at large. “Despite experiencing a disproportionate burden of violence and discrimination at the hands of the police and extremely high carceral rates, Black queer men are largely invisible in discourse on anti-Black policing and incarceration,” says study coauthor Joseph Carter, a doctoral student of health psychology at the City University of New York’s Graduate Center. “Our study provides empirical support for the intersectional health impacts of police and carceral discrimination that have been systemically perpetrated onto Black queer men.”

poz.com DECEMBER 2020 POZ 21

RESEARCH NOTES BY LIZ HIGHLEYMAN

TREATMENT

CURE

CONCERNS

The United States is not expected to reach the World Health Organization’s target of eliminating hepatitis C as a pubic health threat by 2030, but it could be on track to do so by 2037. The targets include diagnosing 90% of people with hepatitis C virus (HCV), treating 80% of eligible people, decreasing new HCV infections by 80% and reducing death from hep C by 65%. Left untreated, HCV can cause cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure leading to transplantation or death. Preventing new infections looks to be the hardest goal, with only three states—Connecticut, South Carolina and Washington—on track to reach the 80% reduction target by 2030. The country is doing better in terms of diagnosis and mortality: 45 states are set to achieve the diagnosis goal, and 46 are expected to reduce deaths by 65%. But just 16 states are on track to meet the treatment target, and none of the nine states that restrict access to antiviral therapy based on liver disease severity are expected to do so.

Generic Truvada

Weekly Treatment?

Natural HIV Cure?

The first generic versions of Truvada (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine) and Atripla (efavirenz/ tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine) went on the market in the United States in October. Although emtricitabine is still under patent, Gilead Sciences gave Teva Pharmaceuticals exclusive rights to sell generic versions of the combination pills a year early. Truvada is used for both HIV treatment and prevention, and advocates hoped a lower-cost generic would help widen access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). However, at a cost of about $1,455 per month, the generic version doesn’t offer much of a price break compared with brand-name Truvada, which typically sells for around $1,600 to $1,800 per month. Like Gilead, Teva is offering a co-pay card to cover out-ofpocket expenses. But a real price break could come next spring, when other companies will be allowed to produce their own generics. Generic Truvada is already available in other countries for around $25 a month.

An experimental treatment may keep HIV suppressed with once-weekly dosing. Merck’s MK-8507 is a new non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). In a Phase I trial, 18 participants received a single oral dose of MK-8507. The drug reduced viral load by about 1.5 log, with HIV levels continuing to decline for seven days. At day 7, the decrease was comparable to reductions seen with once-daily NNRTIs. To be used for once-weekly treatment, MK-8507 would need to be paired with other long-acting antiretrovirals. One possible partner is Merck’s islatravir, the first nucleoside reverse transcriptase translocation inhibitor. In a Phase II trial, a combination of once-daily islatravir plus the NNRTI Pifeltro (doravirine) kept viral load suppressed in 90% of participants at 96 weeks. But islatravir has a long half-life in the body, and it may be suitable for less frequent dosing. Wendy Ankrom, PhD, of Merck, says the company will test MK-8507 plus islatravir as a potential once-weekly treatment.

A California woman may be the first person to be cured of HIV without a bone marrow transplant—in fact, she may have beat the virus without any treatment at all. In a recent report in Nature, researchers shed light on how Loreen Willenberg and about 60 other so-called elite controllers keep HIV in check. In these individuals, HIV’s genetic blueprint is locked away in the genome of resting immune cells in such a way that it can’t be used to produce new virus. Willenberg, who acquired HIV in 1992, has maintained control of the virus for decades without antiretroviral treatment. The researchers were unable to find any intact virus in more than 1.5 billion of her cells. “I believe Loreen might indeed meet anyone’s definition of a cure,” says study coauthor Steven Deeks, MD, of the University of California at San Francisco. The question now is whether scientists can develop treatments to enable the millions of typical people with progressive HIV to become more like elite controllers.

22 POZ DECEMBER 2020 poz.com

Hep C Elimination

ALL IMAGES: ISTOCK

PREVENTION

BASICS

BY LIZ HIGHLEYMAN

FATTY LIVER DISEASE Fat in the liver can lead to health complications, including cirrhosis and liver cancer.

atty liver disease involves the buildup of fat in the liver. This triggers inﬂammation, which over time can lead to serious complications, including cirrhosis, liver cancer and the need for a liver transplant. Fat accumulation in the liver can have several causes. People who drink heavily may develop alcoholic fatty liver disease. Certain drugs, environmental toxins and hepatitis C virus genotype 3 can also lead to liver fat buildup. When it occurs in people who do not drink much, the condition is known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or its more severe form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Fatty liver disease is associated with metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions—increased fat around the waistline, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar and abnormal blood lipid levels— that raise the risk of cardiovascular disease. In fact, some experts now use the term metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) to emphasize the connection. Although fatty liver disease is most common in people with obesity, it can occur in lean people too. NAFLD and NASH are responsible for a growing burden of advanced liver disease in the United States and worldwide. It is estimated that up to a third of American adults have fatty liver disease, and the proportion is rising. The condition is also becoming more common among children and adolescents.

Liver Disease Progression Fat buildup in the liver usually progresses gradually. NAFLD often has no symptoms during its early stages, and there are currently no simple tests for fatty liver disease. Over time, fat in the liver can cause worsening inﬂammation and liver

damage. As the liver tries to repair itself, it produces scar tissue, a process known as fibrosis. As fibrosis worsens, people may experience fatigue, gastrointestinal problems and abdominal pain. Noninvasive imaging methods can reveal fat and scar tissue in the liver, but a liver biopsy is the most accurate way to diagnose liver inflammation, fibrosis and NASH. Cirrhosis is the most severe stage of fibrosis. People with the most advanced liver disease—known as decompensated cirrhosis—may develop fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites), bleeding blood vessels in the

HEALTHY LIVER TIPS • Eat a healthy, balanced diet. • Maintain a healthy weight. BOTH IMAGES: ISTOCK

• Avoid or cut down on alcohol. • Exercise regularly. • Get enough good-quality sleep. • Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B.

• Follow medical advice for keeping diabetes and high cholesterol in check. • Get regular follow-up tests to monitor for worsening liver disease.

esophagus or stomach, and confusion and other mental symptoms (hepatic encephalopathy). Cirrhosis is a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common type of liver cancer. Now that hepatitis B can be prevented with a vaccine and hepatitis C can easily be cured with antiviral medications, fatty liver disease has become a leading reason for liver transplants.

Managing Fatty Liver Disease Overweight or obesity, an unhealthy diet and a lack of physical activity are some lifestyle factors that play a role in the development of fatty liver. There are currently no approved medical treatments for fatty liver disease. Many experimental drugs for NAFLD and NASH are being studied, but progress has been slow, and several candidates have failed to improve fat buildup and ﬁbrosis in clinical trials. In the meantime, lifestyle changes are the main approach for managing NAFLD and NASH. These include eating a healthy diet, exercising and losing weight. Experts recommend getting at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week. Even a small amount of weight loss—as little as 5%—can lead to improvement. ■

poz.com DECEMBER 2020 POZ 23

ristine Campbell Scott Campbell Guillermo Chacón Allan Clear Chris Collins Humberto Cruz JD Davids Shawn Decke elds Ingrid Floyd Robert Foley Anselmo Fonseca Jane Fowler Kevin Frost Robert Fullilove Bambi Gaddist Ronda Gold bra Hickman Kathie Hiers David Holtgrave Ernest Hopkins Mark Ishaug Jeremiah Johnson Ron Johnson Fortunata Ka er Jules Levin Kali Lindsey Nancy Mahon Marsha Martin Terry McGovern Jesse Milan Jr. Daniel Montoya David Munar P sé Ramirez Susan Rodriguez Francisco Ruiz Eric Sawyer Carl Schmid Julie Scoﬁeld Linda Scruggs Pernessa C. Seele weet John Tedstrom Adam Tenner Ed Tepporn Lance Toma Nelson Vergel Tom Viola Mitchell Warren Phill Wilson “ ansgender Clinic AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC) B Condoms Françoise Barré-Sinoussi Beauty Queens with a e Reverend Calvin O. Butts III The Cabinet Jim Campbell Catholics for Choice Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) C oject Ambassador Mark Dybul Wafaa El-Sadr Kenyon Farrow Anthony Fauci Kevin Fenton Dab Garner A Grassroots H ark Harrington Health Gap Health HIV Todd Heywood Kathie Hiers Marjorie Hill The HIV Law Project The HIV Story Pro Toya Jackson Sir Elton John Sheila Johnson Paul Kawata Michel Kazatchkine Alicia Keys The Reverend Charles King AMES Project Foundation The National Black Clergy for the Elimination of HIV/AIDS Act of 2009 President Barack Obam mergency Plan for AIDS Relief “Prison Health News” The Rachofskys Michael Emanuel Rajner The Robert James Frascin chel Sidibé Kimberly Smith Joseph Sonnabend Stop AIDS Project Andrew Sullivan Dame Elizabeth Taylor Sandy Thur gitte Autran Françoise Barré-Sinoussi Monsef Benkirane Ben Berkhout J. Scott Cairns Nicolas Chomont Tae-Wook Ch aron Lewin Frank Maldarelli David Margolis Martin Markowitz Javier Martinez-Picado John Mellors Santiago Moreno Ja erre Routy Christine Rouzioux Guido Silvestri Mario Stevenson Amalio Telenti Carine Van Lint Eric Verdin Ann Woolfre h Fujinaga Hiroyu Hatano Frederick Hecht Timothy Henrich Keith Jerome Hans-Peter Kiem Mathias Lichterfeld Kath erre Sekaly Robert Siliciano John Tilton Linos Vanderkerckhove Bruce Walker John Young Judy Auerbach Jared Baet cGlynn Nelly Mugo Zeda Rosenberg Mitchell Warren Bob Bowers Timothy Brown Gus Cairns David Evans Anthony F presentative Barbara Lee Kali Lindsey Greg Louganis Jim Pickett Jamar Rogers Paul Semugoma Matt Sharp Jeff Sheeh adore Boni Vera Bowlby Gina Brown Marisol Calderon Tony Carlew Craig Chapin José F. Colón López Tommy Dennis llicent Foster Rob Garofalo Mark Garrett Benjamin Gerritz Justin Goforth Elizabeth Harrington Tami Haught Ángel Lui hnson Bryan Jones Freda Jones Robert Knight Rob Land Doug Landret Aaron Laxton Daniel Leyva Michael Luciano Ji ank Millbourne Luis Montanez Joshua Montgomery Shennod Moore Jeffrey Newman Naimah O’Neal Jeffrey Padilla S gins Josh Robbins Cynthia Rodgers Ruth Royster Fordham James ‘JR’ Rude Donald ‘Bud’ Sadler Raquel Sapien Joe S arks Cedric Sturdevant Teresa Sullivan Coleman Terrell Justin B. Terry-Smith Kerry Thomas Jane Valencia Nestor Vane ndra Whitty Erwin Willhite Kekoa Yap Mark Zatyrk Jacques Agbobly Pablo Aguilera Charisse Ahmed Jojo Amanfu Guy silico Dakota Basinger Michael David Battle Benjamin Beaury Kia Michelle Benbow Antonio Boone Ian Bradley-Perrin nd Crelia Michael Eisman Clint Fausett Brandon Fernandes Charlie Ferrusi Cierra Foxx Greg Gabbert Miguel Garcia rry Houston-Huff Brandon Hughes Tahir Idris Christopher Jackson Jason Jenders Regnarian Jenkins Tracy L. Johnson than Ryan Lewis Sean Lundy Gabriel Maldonado Rumbidzo Mapfumo Steven-Emmanuel Martinez Antwan Mathews uyen Jamie O’Toole Blane Oborny Jason Parad Byanca Parker Mitchell Payne Robert Peraza BY Kyla Pfeif Samuel Potte ez Carlos Rosario Matthew Rose Lindsay Roth Amirah Sequeira Claudia Sisomphou Charles Smart Narong ORIOL GUTIERREZ JR., Sokhom T alker Jason Walker Cassie Warren Edward “Eddie” Wiley Khafre Kujichagulia Abif Raymond Alejo Tez Anderson Rhon JOE MEJÍA, nald Chaney Shana C. Jim Chud Orbit Clanton Patricia Clark Graig Cote Daniel Craddock Vince Crisostomo Robert D JENNIFER MORTON ames Elizondo Maurice Evans Carrie Foote Jolene Ford Larry Frampton Claire Gasamagera Sanford E. Gaylord Lolisa G AND ammond Margaret Harris-Guyette Stephen Hartley Fred Hersch Mark Hunter Andrena Ingram Joseph Interrante Artu TRENT erri Lewis Wanda London Alejandro Lopez Luna Luis Ortiz Vickie Lynn Cornelius Mabin SeanSTRAUBE McKenna Maria Mejia M pena Reid Hunter Reynolds Tatania Riley Doug Rose Mark Rosenbaum Cecilia Ross Julia Sanchez Jonathan Scott Erin Thompson Bruce Turner Silvia Valerio Steven Vargas Bruce Ward Sam Wickersham Auntjuan Wiley Jeffery William mos-Mandela David Armstead Justin Bell Stephen Bloodworth Renee Y. Burgess Michael Burks Angel Camacho Dere kins Yvonne Early Jason Elliott Stephen Fallon David Fawcett Darnell Ferrell Phyllis Finch Gregory “Gregg” Fordham arcia Jr. Patrick “Pat” Gordon Mark Grantham Sam Graper Chelsea Gulden Christine Hackford Leslie Hall TK “Thunde owell-Moree Art Jackson Stacy Jennings Darrin Johnson Kecia Johnson Monica Johnson Marxavian Jones Shyronn Jo wis Edwards Arianna Lint Jonathan Lucas Tiommi Luckett C. Andrew Martin Michael Maus Carolyn McAllaster Butch n Rapkin Allison Rice Cathy Robinson-Pickett Steven Romeo Esther Ross Blake Rowley Evelyn Scott Ieshia Scott Shirl e Reverend Joyce Turner-Keller Kevin Varner The Rev. Debbie Warren Daniel Weaver Robin Webb Charles Whitehead le Brewer Cynthia Brinson Lisa Britt Vanessa Campus Barb Cardell Juanita Chestnut Ezerae Coates Tori Cooper Simo o Carrie Foote Anna Forbes Geneva Galloway-Pitts Kathy Garner Tuyishime Claire Gasamagera Kathleen Gerus Darb ers Juanita Hubbard Barbara Hughes Stacy Hyde Olga Irwin Tracey Jackson Michelle Jackson-Rollins LeSherri James rbara J. Lock Sylvia Lopez Theresa Mack Julie Marston Nina Martinez Carolyn Massey Glenna McCarthy Rita McDanie a Njoki Otieno Julie Patterson Laura Pinsky Aracelis Quiñones Shakyara Ralat Paige Rawl Venita Ray Debra Richardson mejo Meta Smith-Davis Cindy Stine Blake Strasser Teresa Sullivan Chuan Teng Demetra Tennison-Grant Desiree Thom arguerite Wheeler-Lara Lisa Diane White Terri Wilder Victoria “Tori” Williams Valerie Wojciechowicz Waldon Adams St rgman Randy Boyd Wanda Brendle-Moss Chris Bridges William Brochinsky Reginald T. Brown Marilyn Burnett Giulio elia Crockett William Scott Daly Mark A. Davis Larry Day Yolanda Diaz Reggie Dunbar II Jace Dyckman Bryan Fleury A utierrez-Solana Bill Hall Mitchell Handrich Graham Harriman Danny Harris Michelle Harris Deborah Helm Patrice Henry hnson Bryan Jones Mary Frances Jones Perry Junjulas Pat Kelly Mark S. King Kevin Koerner Kenneth Lamb Bob Leahy yce McDonald Enrique Menendez Susan Mull Aaron Myatt Eric Novak Charlie Palmer Jesse Peel Osvaldo Perdomo R mpson Charles Sanchez Steve Schalchlin Scott Schlaffman Harold R. “Scottie” Scott Chanelle Sessooms Robert (Bo ael “Zee” Zalnask Julisa Abad Giuliani Alvarenga Jacob Anderson-Minshall Alexandra Billings Blossom C. Brown Keiva oper Alex Corona JD Davids Dietz Teo Drake Terry Dudley Kiala Emmons Ashley Figueroa Cecilia Gentili Masha Ge rnandez Achim Howard Yasmyne Hunter Dominique Jackson Sy’ria Jackson Aricles “Wulf” James Mackenzie Jianelli C 24 POZ DECEMBER 2020 poz.com vin Michael Lowe Nikki Araguz Loyd Tiommi Jenae Luckett Monique Mackey Jeffrey Marsh Jevon Martin Gia Martinez ori” Moreland Lailani Muniz Our Lady J Johanna Padilla Alex Palacios Channyn Lynne Parker Alexis Powell Morey Rior ff Hailie Sahar Bamby Salcedo Amirage Saling Daniela Simba Danez Smith Valerie Spencer Kiara St. James David S

THE POZ 100

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF ADVOCACY

ker Lynda Dee Dázon Dixon Diallo N.Y. State Senator Tom Duane Gregory Edwards Sergio Farfan Kandy Ferree C. Virg dfein Gregg Gonsalves Robert Greenwald Mondo Guerra Rebecca Haag Catherine Hanssens Mark Harrington Marjorie asege Paul Kawata Naina Khanna The Reverend Charles King Kate Krauss James Krellenstein The Reverend Stacey Patricia Nalls Cathy Olufs Tokes Osubu Karen Pearl Jim Pickett Gina Quattrochi Michael Emanuel Rajner Sheryl Lee R Ron Simmons Deborah Peterson Small Wendy Stark Valerie Stone Steffanie Strathdee, Sean Strub Tracy Swan Do “15 by 2015” ACT V AIDS.gov AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) The Ali Forney Center Alpha Workshops amfAR APIC a Conscience Edwin Bernard Susan Blumenthal Bob Bowers Michelle Braxton Governor Jerry Brown Timothy Ray Br Chris Collins Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus Jeffrey Crowley JD Davids Joe De Capua The Denver Principles Desert A History of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in North America Robert Greenwald Hairdressers Against AIDS Harm Reduction Coal oject James Houston The International AIDS Conference The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative In the Life I Stay Hea g Mark King Larry Kramer Annie Lennox Life Ball Jack Mackenroth Jordan M. The Moore Clinic David Ernesto Munar ma Over-the-Counter Tests Michael Petrelis Jim Pickett Positive Justice Project Positive Women’s Network The Preside no Foundation Carlton Rounds Chris Salgardo Sangamo BioSciences Inc. Kathleen Sebelius Michael Sennott Matt Sh THE Wake The Well Project Phill Wilson ZamBama The See rman Treatment as Prevention VOCAL-NY Court Justice David POZ hun Melissa Churchill Steven Deeks Michele Di Mascio Christine Katlama Alain Lafeuillade Alan Landay Michael Leder 100 ames Mullins Una O’Doherty Sarah Palmer Marie-Capucine Penicaud B. Matija Peterlin Guido Poli Anna Laura Ross Je ey John Zaia Joseph Alvarnas Richard Ambinder David Baltimore Paul Cameron Paula Cannon Daniel Douek Julian El herine Luzuriaga Mike McCune Robert Murphy Douglas Deborah Persaud Lawrence PetzWE Quentin Sattentau Ra AGAZINES PUTNixon OUT LISTS. IT’S WHAT DO. ten and Connie Celum Deborah Birx Susan Buchbinder Dennis Burton Myron Cohen Barton Haynes Albert Liu Marg EachKevin year, Forbes informs whoSirthe richest people Fauci David France Thomas Frieden Frost Jim Himes Richardus Jefferys Elton John Kate Krauss in Stephen LeB hy Sean Strub Michael Tikili JaciAmerica Adams Dorian-Gray Brandon Allen Jeff Marco Benjamin are; TimeAlexander rounds up the most inflAllen uential; Vanity FairBryant Berg Penny DeNoble Ruth DeRamus Jorge Diaz Sheila Dillon Deloris Dockrey Ed Doolittle Daniel Driffin Kari Farmer-Coffm announces dressed. is Hernández Alfredo Hernandez Chavez Kellythe Hill best Jeremy Hobbs Rick Holman Arthur Jackson Anthony Johnson Vane immy Lucibello Kevin Maloney Leon Mann III Anthony Maselli McAdams Richard In 2010, POZ decided toJoe create our own list,McMahan and the Tom POZMenard 100 Robert M Sharon Paul Murray Penner Osvaldo Perdomo Timothy Pitts Doris Plant-Hill Stephen A. Puibello Jaime Rebeles Ro was born. The idea it wasSiever simple: to spotlight and celebrate Scarborough Scott Schoettes Nicole behind Seguin Michael Bob Skinner D Gregory Smith LawrenceHIV Stallworth II Wa egas-Charry Jason Villalobos Reed Vreeland Danielle Wasko Jeff Webb Robin Webb Mike Weight Robert advocacy work being done in our communities. For the first few years, theWestwood C y Anthony Tranisha Arzah Josephine Ayankoya Darion Banister Rachelle Barbis Devin Barrington-Ward Marguerite “Mar POZ staff selected the Cameron-Jackson honorees for each ofAnthony our annual lists.Brandon But byCorbin the fourth n Katy Byrtus Juan Calderon Caressa Korey Chisholm Alyssa Crawford B Lauren Gauthier Dante Gennaro Jr. David Goode Jr. Cree Gordon Genny Grilli Ari Hampton Adrian Haught Ethan Ha year, we decided that the honorees should be nominated by the HIV community n Jr. Joyous Joiner Josephine Kamarebe Barbara Kemigisa Brandon King Kachina Kudroff Gerald Labourdette III Vane itself—and it has remained thatEdgar wayMendez ever since. Loyce Maturu Ian McMahan Marcus McPherson Maureen Milanga Brianna Milleville Briana Morgan Qu ebaum Cameron Raley Paige Rawl Jonathan Reveil Greg’ry Revenj Rashida Richardson Kenneth Rios-Soler Mathew Ro year’s list hasAnna a slightly different focus, such asL. Terry ignored. WhateverTikili the outcome of theTraylor presidential election, Vinson III C Tyler SpencerEach Kirstie Strong Szczegielniak Marvell II Michael Masonia Lawrence or long-term survivors youth. Sometimes the list must keep fightingShirley to ensure that all people are treatedBrooks-Wig nda Barnes women Ed Barron Gilbert BazanorDonald Beard Jeff BerryweMichael Bivens Boughton Stephanie consistsDe of Hoyos only HIV-positive people; Ludovicus other years, de HIVwith theJosé respect and dignity they deserve. thereNancy is a cure Duncan Fe Darrow Fernando Jose de Marco Soncoeur Diaz Vasquez ConnieUntil Dukes negative allies are included. Despite these differences, the for HIV and it’s available to everyone, it doesn’t matter is N. Halkitis Gibson-Hunte Joel Goldman Grissel Granados Ryan Grant Mark Grantham Todd Grove Jesús Guillén who Perry aim is always the same—to thank those in the HIV/AIDS in the White House, HIV advocates will continue to fight. uro Jackson III Edward Jackson Stacy Jennings Janet Johnson Richard Koob Scott A. Kramer Jay Lassiter Nancer LeM forMoore their work. Because that’sPenn what HIV advocates do. We can’t stop Mark Milanostruggle Joshua Joe Norton Eddie Orozco Jan Carl Park Robert Andrew Pulsipher Jim Raper Jon Jay R HIV advocacy about doing the work the longGlenda haul. fighting for one another. n Secker Vanessa Sharp isRon Simmons Bobfor Skinner Small for Billourselves Snow or Charles Straight Jeff Taylor Arthurine “C We haveWilson made remarkable progress against the virus over Adams-Ghee Resiliency is our superpower. may Allen knock us downAmagwula ms-Knight Ernest Acintia Wright Mark Wyn Robert Dazmine AllenYou Ellen Ruby the years, but we still have a long way to go. And change and you may stand in our way, but we will keep on fighting. ek Canas Nicholas Carlisle Adrian Castellanos John Curry Steve Daniels Laurie Dill Dazon Dixon Diallo Billy Duckett often happens slowly. As the late Supreme Court Justice As activist Matt Sharp says in this issue, “I can’t imagine Jaysen Foreman-McMaster Victoria “Vicky” Fortugno-Oliver Gary Fowler Joe C. Fuentes Jr. Bambi Gaddist Joaquin “J Ruth Bader Ginsburg said, “Generally, change in our society not supporting others and fighting HIV for the rest of my er Kellie” Hampton Danny Harris David Hearn Ronald Henderson Jean Hernandez Kathie M. Hiers Jeremy Hobbs Mon is incremental…. Real change, enduring change, happens life. It’s simply what I wake up to do every day.” ones Carmen Julious Deborah Kahal Alleen King-Carter Tammy Kinney Daron Kirven Janet Kitchen Twana Lawler Ch one step at a time.” To honor that resiliency, instead of producing our usual h McKay Brady Morris Morris Murray Roberto Olmo Jon Gabriel Ortiz Byanca Parker David Parker Michael Emanuel Ra Yet we must keep pushing for change. We must keep list this year, we decided to reflect on all the amazing ley Selvagemoving Melvin G. Slack III Alex Smith Carlton Smith Savalas Squire Lee Storrow Wesley Thompson Jennifer Towns forward. We must keep demanding that the systems advocates from the past 10 years of the POZ 100. We want d Auntjuan Wiley Ashton P. Woods Mary Arbuckle Ivy Arce Tranisha Arzah Gwenn Asia Lisa Bin and policies in place in our democracy work for all people— to remind HIV advocates thatBarringer we see you and weBetancourt appreciate one Counts not Karina Danvers Sharon DeCuir Pamela Denzer Alicia Diggs Sharen Duke Michele Durham Marci Egel Nikki just some of them. We have to ensure that our most the work that you do. bison Kellymarginalized Gluckman communities Lillibeth Gonzalez Grissel Granados Gloria Guzman Janet Hall Mildred Harper Tami Haught Ka are not left behind. We have the We caught up with some of our past POZ 100 honorees s Stacy Jennings Monica Johnson Jones Shyronn Esther Alleen King-Carter Arianna Lint Nichole L tools to end the epidemic, but weMarsha need to fight for the funding Jones and asked themKim to answer a few questions about their advoel Patricia “Pat” McNeill Shelton Joyce Mitchell Candace Y.A.cacy Montague Morne Nichol Ijeoma Opara T to implement them. work. We Johanne hope that their wordsAllison inspire and encourage n Valerie L. Rochester Connie Roebuck Diana Rowan Shirley Royster Beverly Sha Judith Shaw Arianna Smith We’re going to get discouraged, we’re going to lose battles you to engage with your own communities and advocate for Jennie Sm mpson Julene Tripp Weaver Evany Turk Jennifer Vaughan Brandi Velasquez Warriner Jarrett and we’re going to lose loved ones along the way. Sadly, yourself and others.Martha (Go to POZ.com/100 to readCynthia more of Watson-Ca tephen Addona Moisés Tezadvocates Anderson Lillian their Anglada Stephen Aube Proscovia Ayoo Karla Barnett Ro over the years,Agosto-Rosario we’ve lost many fierce who’ve responses.) o Maria Carbelli Carmichael Marco Castro-Bojorquez Caudle Clanton Coffman-Grey Robert Corne been Brian included on the POZ 100. In 2020 alone, we’ve lost JoelNext year, Orbit the POZ 100 willNeil return to celebrate Black Anselmo Fonseca Larry Deloris Frampton Randall Furrow and, Lillibeth Mark Grantham Aundaray Guess Jesús Larry Kramer, Dockrey, Ron Simmons most Gonzalez HIV advocates—both positive and negative—who are Guillén Ca y Ángel Luisrecently, Hernández Mark Hughes Irwin Edward Jackson Eric Jannke Ro TimothyMatthew Ray Brown.Hodson Franceina Hopkinsworking to end theOlga epidemic. Nominations will open next Kevin Lish Abad Lopez Randal Carlossummer, Maldonado Marshall 2020Lopez has beenMichelle an especially tough year forLucero many other so start Steven thinking Manning about whomEunice you’d like to see on Kalvin Mars Robert Pompa RobThe Quinn Melanie Reese Robert Rivera Raul Robles Michael Rouppet Tho reasons. COVID-19 pandemic ragesLepena on. BeliefReid in science theRiester list! UntilRosa then, here’s to advocates everywhere who are ob) Skinnerhas Winthrop Smith William Snow experts Steve Stagon Straley John Larry Hector Xtravaganza been challenged, and our medical are being Tom doing what they doTenorio to make our worldWatson a better place. a Lei Cadena Joaquín Carcaño Dee Dee Chamblee Elia Chino Cecilia Chung Thomi Clinton Jamie Collins Billie Cooper essen Caleb Mikayla Goins-Robinson Kellen Gold Kayla Gore Andrea Harrington George Henry Hastie Kris Hayashi L Courtney Johnson Tamika “Devinity” Jones Evonné Kaho Kelly Kline Aryah Lester Octavia Y. Lewis Arianna Lint Adrian L poz.com DECEMBER 2020Mooremon POZ 25 Morgan Mayfaire Jesse Medina Marissa Miller Dharma Mirza Janet Mock Indya Moore Bobbee Trans Soc rdan Bré Anne Rivera Alexa Rodriguez Mj Rodriguez Maria Louise Roman-Taylorson Angelica Ross Sabastian Roy Na Strachan Jasmine Tasaki Kayden Taylor Gabrielle Thomas Jack Thompson Racquelle Trammell Dianne Michelle Trinid

2010

CELEBRATING AIDS ADVOCATES THE INAUGURAL POZ 100 LIST WAS launched to honor some of the bravest, most dogged and downright effective AIDS fighters we knew. One hundred of them, in fact— and we had plenty of reasons to be in the mood to celebrate. In the previous year, President Barack Obama had staffed up the President’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS, reopened the Office of National AIDS Policy and invited several hundred people, many of them living with HIV, to the White House for an event to celebrate the launch of a National HIV/AIDS Strategy. What’s more, needle exchange was approved in many cities, and the Affordable Care Act had been signed into law, although it wouldn’t take full effect until 2014. Further, the travel ban for people living with HIV entering the United

26 POZ DECEMBER 2020 poz.com

States was lifted. As a result, the International AIDS Conference was moving forward with a return to the United States in 2012 for the first time since 1990. Having Obama in the White House set the stage for a renewed effort to end the HIV epidemic in the United States. Of course, AIDS advocates had been there all along, fighting for what was achieved at the beginning of his administration and making sure more would be done. The 2010 POZ 100 list was created to uplift those advocates at a crucial time. The folks on the list were among the people on the front lines to ensure that high-level promises were kept. The honorees were selected by the POZ editors only—nominations for the list started in 2013.

(LATIMER) CLAY PATRICK MCBRIDE; (LEVIN) CHRISTIAN GIANELLI; (ANGULO) DAN COOGAN; (BENORDEN) CLARK MISHLER; (SCRUGGS) HECTOR EMANUEL; (RAJNER) BRIAN SMITH

Clockwise from top left: the Reverend Stacey Latimer, Jules Levin, Gerardo Angulo, Jon Benorden, Linda Scruggs and Michael Emanuel Rajner

THE POZ 100

JEREMIAH JOHNSON Why do you advocate for people living with HIV? I’m grateful to say that 12 years after my diagnosis, I am thriving, but I realize that I am enormously privileged in that way. Not everyone living with or at risk for HIV has access to the same resources, and I am ready to spend my life dismantling and rebuilding the systems that keep people from comprehensive care and prevention.

(JOHNSON) CLAY PATRICK MCBRIDE; (HIERS) COURTESY OF KATHIE HIERS; (KAWATA) JONATHAN TIMMES; (OBAMA ILLUSTRATION) DREAMSTIME

KATHIE HIERS What advice do you have for people doing HIV advocacy work today? One thing I have learned in my 30 years of work in the field of HIV is that change is slow. But don’t let that stop you! We can create positive change if we fight together in smart and determined ways. The one thing we cannot do is give up. So hang tough, my friends. As the great John Lewis advocated, let’s continue to make good trouble. PAUL KAWATA What advice do you have for people doing HIV advocacy work today? Never give up. It’s a long, hard journey and there will be setbacks. But the work and the goal are are too important to quit. It will take even more work to finally bring this epidemic to an end. But it will happen!

MEDICAL MILESTONE President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which expanded access to care and prevention for all Americans. It offered special protections for people living with chronic illnesses, like HIV, and made it possible for them to access and afford health care.

THE 2010 POZ 100 David Acosta Adaora Adimora Randy Allgaier Gerardo Angulo Judy Auerbach Dawn Averitt-Bridge Cornelius Baker John Barnes David Barr Jon Benorden Seth Berkley Nancy Bernstine Leigh Blake Don Blanchon Susan Blumenthal Larry Bryant Christine Campbell Scott Campbell Guillermo Chacón Allan Clear Chris Collins Humberto Cruz JD Davids Shawn Decker Lynda Dee Dázon Dixon Diallo N.Y. State Senator Tom Duane Gregory Edwards Sergio Farfan Kandy Ferree C. Virginia Fields Ingrid Floyd Robert Foley Anselmo Fonseca Jane Fowler Kevin Frost Robert Fullilove Bambi Gaddist Ronda Goldfein Gregg Gonsalves Robert Greenwald Mondo Guerra Rebecca Haag Catherine Hanssens Mark Harrington Marjorie Hill Debra Hickman Kathie Hiers David Holtgrave Ernest Hopkins

Mark Ishaug Jeremiah Johnson Ron Johnson Fortunata Kasege Paul Kawata Naina Khanna The Reverend Charles King Kate Krauss James Krellenstein The Reverend Stacey Latimer Jules Levin Kali Lindsey Nancy Mahon Marsha Martin Terry McGovern Jesse Milan Jr. Daniel Montoya David Munar Patricia Nalls Cathy Olufs Tokes Osubu Karen Pearl Jim Pickett Gina Quattrochi Michael Emanuel Rajner Sheryl Lee Ralph José Ramirez Susan Rodriguez Francisco Ruiz Eric Sawyer Carl Schmid Julie Scoﬁeld Linda Scruggs Pernessa C. Seele Ron Simmons Deborah Peterson Small Wendy Stark Valerie Stone Steffanie Strathdee Sean Strub Tracy Swan Donna Sweet John Tedstrom Adam Tenner Ed Tepporn Lance Toma Nelson Vergel Tom Viola Mitchell Warren Phill Wilson

poz.com DECEMBER 2020 POZ 27

From the Kiehl’s Life Ride to the Life Ball, here are a few of the people, things and ideas we loved in 2011.

100 PEOPLE, THINGS AND IDEAS WE LOVE FOR OUR SECOND POZ 100 LIST, WE celebrated 100 people, things and ideas that reinvented or improved how we tackle HIV. The idea to depart from spotlighting only people was inspired in part by one of the biggest headlines in AIDS history. Earlier that year, it was revealed that the first person cured of HIV was Timothy Ray Brown, a man known as “the Berlin Patient.” In fact, POZ featured him on the June 2011 cover. Further, in addition to fresh hope in the fields of cure and vaccine research, it was also shown that treatment works as prevention. Global health experts were saying that the correct application of our resources could start to end the HIV epidemic. The trick was to capitalize on that amazing progress,

28 POZ DECEMBER 2020 poz.com

parlaying science into policy and turning optimism into cash to improve the lives of people living with HIV. Our contribution to that effort in 2011 was to depart from honoring only people to also highlighting organizations and concepts that we believed deserved attention. The survival of people living with HIV has always depended on a one-two punch: leadership from the top and from the grassroots level. As a result, the 2011 POZ 100 list included celebrities and people involved in government and global efforts as well as folks who were fighting in the trenches, acting as essential thorns in the side of the establishment, working as watchdogs, wielding the press to expose corruption and serving as role models. They proved that a single soul can change the world.

(RING) CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD, 2011; (LIFE BALL) COURTESY OF LIFE BALL; (THE RACHOFSKY HOUSE) COURTESY OF THE RACHOFSKY HOUSE/MICHAEL BODYCOMB; (LIFE RIDE) COURTESY OF KIEHL’S; (QUILT) COURTESY OF THE NAMES PROJECT

2011

THE POZ 100

MICHELLE BRAXTON Why do you advocate for people living with HIV? I advocate for my community because living with HIV is not a death sentence. I have been living with HIV for 29 years. If you are informed and get tested and treated for HIV, you can live a fulﬁlling life. JACK MACKENROTH How do you empower others? I try to take away the fear. There is a lot of misinformation dispensed globally. I try to keep it simple: Get tested, and conﬁrm your HIV status; get on antiretrovirals as soon as possible, and take them as prescribed; get your CD4 cell count up and your viral load undetectable so you can’t transmit it to other people (#UequalsU); and resume your normal life.

(BRAXTON) STEVE MORRISON; (MACKENROTH) CLAY PATRICK MCBRIDE; (BERNARD) COURTESY OF HIV JUSTICE WORLDWIDE

EDWIN BERNARD What advice do you have for people doing HIV advocacy work today? One person can change the world, but we can achieve even more when we work together and when our work is adequately funded.

MEDICAL MILESTONE The HPTN 052 study found that taking antiretrovirals reduces the risk of transmitting HIV through vaginal sex by 96%, launching the treatment-asprevention era.

THE 2011 POZ 100 “15 by 2015” ACT V AIDS.gov AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) The Ali Forney Center Alpha Workshops amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research APICHA’s Transgender Clinic AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC) B Condoms Françoise Barré-Sinoussi Beauty Queens with a Conscience Edwin Bernard Susan Blumenthal Bob Bowers Michelle Braxton Governor Jerry Brown Timothy Ray Brown The Reverend Calvin O. Butts III The Cabinet Jim Campbell Catholics for Choice Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) Chris Collins Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus Jeffrey Crowley JD Davids Joe De Capua The Denver Principles Desert AIDS Project Ambassador Mark Dybul Wafaa El-Sadr Kenyon Farrow Anthony Fauci Kevin Fenton Dab Garner A Grassroots History of the HIV/ AIDS Epidemic in North America Robert Greenwald Hairdressers Against AIDS Harm Reduction Coalition Mark Harrington Health Gap Health HIV Todd Heywood Kathie Hiers Marjorie Hill The HIV Law Project The HIV Story Project James Houston The International AIDS Conference

The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative In the Life I Stay Healthy La Toya Jackson Sir Elton John Sheila Johnson Paul Kawata Michel Kazatchkine Alicia Keys The Reverend Charles King Mark King Larry Kramer Annie Lennox Life Ball Jack Mackenroth Jordan M. The Moore Clinic David Ernesto Munar The NAMES Project Foundation The National Black Clergy for the Elimination of HIV/AIDS Act of 2009 President Barack Obama Over-the-Counter Tests Michael Petrelis Jim Pickett Positive Justice Project Positive Women’s Network The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief “Prison Health News” The Rachofskys Michael Emanuel Rajner The Robert James Frascino Foundation Carlton Rounds Chris Salgardo Sangamo BioSciences Inc. Kathleen Sebelius Michael Sennott Matt Sharp Michel Sidibé Kimberly Smith Joseph Sonnabend Stop AIDS Project Andrew Sullivan Dame Elizabeth Taylor Sandy Thurman Treatment as Prevention VOCAL-NY Court Justice David Wake The Well Project Phill Wilson ZamBama

poz.com DECEMBER 2020 POZ 29

2012

ACCELERATING THE END OF AIDS THE THIRD POZ 100 LIST CELEBRATED people working to accelerate the end of AIDS. In 2012, the idea of a cure started to feel much more attainable. Building on the announcement of Timothy Ray Brown, the first person cured of HIV, additional cure news was discussed in Washington, DC, at the XIX International AIDS Conference, which was held in the United States for the first time since 1990. At the time, it was believed that Brown might no longer have been the only person cured of the virus, as scientists hinted at two more possible cases. But today, there has only ever been one other person widely considered to have been cured of HIV. At the conference, researchers also revealed data on 14 people living with HIV who had been treated with antiretro-

30 POZ DECEMBER 2020 poz.com

viral therapy early in their infection and had achieved “viral controller” status. In other words, they appeared able to control the virus without remaining on medication. Those cases gave researchers hope in finding a “functional” cure, meaning the virus still lives inside the body but does little or no harm. That compares with a “sterilizing” cure, when the virus is eradicated from the body. To honor these scientific advances, the 2012 POZ 100 list recognized people who made a significant contribution to speeding up the end of AIDS. They included scientists making the groundbreaking discoveries inching us closer to a cure and researchers exploring ways to prevent others from getting HIV as well as advocates, politicians and celebrities fighting on the front lines to end AIDS.

(SILICIANO) COURTESY OF IAS/STEVE SHAPIRO-COMMERCIALIMAGE.NET; (CANNON) COURTESY OF PAULA CANNON; (FROST) COURTESY OF AMFAR; (MARGOLIS) COURTESY OF UNC SCHOOL OF MEDICINE; (MUGO) COURTESY OF IAS/MARCUS ROSE/WORKER’S PHOTOS; (VIRUS) DREAMSTIME

Clockwise from bottom left: Robert Siliciano, Paula Cannon, Kevin Frost, David Margolis and Nelly Mugo

If you're living with HIV, are taking your meds, and experiencing decreased energy and unintentional weight loss, ask yourself the following questions: Have you experienced weight loss? Have you recently lost weight without trying? Do any changes in your weight negatively affect your health and how you feel? Do your clothes fit more loosely than normal due to unintentional weight loss? Have friends, family, or coworkers noticed any changes in the way that you look based on changes in your weight? Do you have a loss of physical endurance or energy associated with unintentional weight loss? Are any activities more difficult to perform? Are you exercising less? Do you need to rest more often? Do you frequently feel tired after certain activities? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, bring this sheet to your healthcare provider to discuss whether you have HIV-associated wasting. Treatment options are available. Together you can discuss the next steps. To learn more about HIV-associated wasting, visit: IsItWasting.com

PZA525982.pgs 10.26.2020 16:09

ESA

THE POZ 100

JUDY AUERBACH How do you empower others? Much of my HIV focus has been on women, who remain a neglected population in the HIV response in the United States. As a sociologist who operates in the biomedical science arena, I try to leverage my standing to lift up emerging scholars and community members—especially women of color—interested in HIV science. I try to step back and let these younger and early-career people take the floor and the podium and assume leadership positions. MATT SHARP Why do you advocate for people living with HIV? I have always advocated for people living with HIV/AIDS from the moment I knew I could join the fight. Advocacy and activism are in my bones, and I can’t imagine not supporting others and fighting HIV for the rest of my life. It’s simply what I wake up to do every day.

MEDICAL MILESTONE The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first use of antiretrovirals as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Adults who do not have HIV but are at risk for infection can take PrEP to reduce their risk of contracting the virus through sex.

32 POZ DECEMBER 2020 poz.com

THE 2012 POZ 100 THE SEEKERS Brigitte Autran Françoise Barré-Sinoussi Monsef Benkirane Ben Berkhout J. Scott Cairns Nicolas Chomont Tae-Wook Chun Melissa Churchill Steven Deeks Michele Di Mascio Christine Katlama Alain Lafeuillade Alan Landay Michael Lederman Sharon Lewin Frank Maldarelli David Margolis Martin Markowitz Javier Martinez-Picado John Mellors Santiago Moreno James Mullins Una O’Doherty Sarah Palmer Marie-Capucine Penicaud B. Matija Peterlin Guido Poli Anna Laura Ross Jean-Pierre Routy Christine Rouzioux Guido Silvestri Mario Stevenson Amalio Telenti Carine Van Lint Eric Verdin Ann Woolfrey John Zaia THE HUNTERS Joseph Alvarnas Richard Ambinder David Baltimore Paul Cameron Paula Cannon Daniel Douek Julian Elliott Koh Fujinaga Hiroyu Hatano Frederick Hecht Timothy Henrich Keith Jerome Hans-Peter Kiem

Mathias Lichterfeld Katherine Luzuriaga Mike McCune Robert Murphy Douglas Nixon Deborah Persaud Lawrence Petz Quentin Sattentau Raﬁck-Pierre Sekaly Robert Siliciano John Tilton Linos Vandekerckhove Bruce Walker John Young THE DEFENDERS Judy Auerbach Jared Baeten Deborah Birx Susan Buchbinder Dennis Burton Connie Celum Myron Cohen Barton Haynes Albert Liu Margaret McGlynn Nelly Mugo Zeda Rosenberg Mitchell Warren THE SOLDIERS Bob Bowers Timothy Ray Brown Gus Cairns David Evans Anthony Fauci David France Thomas Frieden Kevin Frost Jim Himes Richard Jefferys Sir Elton John Kate Krauss Stephen LeBlanc Representative Barbara Lee Kali Lindsey Greg Louganis Jim Pickett Jamar Rogers Paul Semugoma Matt Sharp Jeff Sheehy Sean Strub Michael Tikili

(LINDSEY) MACKENZIE STROH; (AUERBACH) COURTESY OF JUDITH AUERBACH; (SHARP) COURTESY OF MATT SHARP; (PILL) ISTOCK

KALI LINDSEY What advice do you have for people doing HIV advocacy work today? Try not to take anything personally, and give yourself as much grace as you can. We can become distracted by losses rather than celebrate our victories. Progress doesn’t come in an instant, and your only competition is in your mind. Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.

WHEN IT’S HARD BELLY (EXCESS VISCERAL ABDOMINAL FAT)

IT MAY BE TIME FOR EGRIFTA SV

IF YOU ARE LIVING WITH HIV AND LIPODYSTROPHY ASK YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER ABOUT EGRIFTA SV TM.

FIND A SPECIALIST AT EGRIFTASV.COM

Actual patient living with HIV.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS ABOUT EGRIFTA SV (TESAMORELIN FOR INJECTION) TM

What is EGRIFTA SV (tesamorelin for injection)? • EGRIFTA SV is an injectable prescription medicine used to reduce excess abdominal fat in adult patients living with HIV and lipodystrophy. EGRIFTA SV is a growth hormone-releasing factor (GHRF) analog. • EGRIFTA SV is not for weight loss management. • The long-term safety of EGRIFTA SV on the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular) is not known. • It is not known whether taking EGRIFTA SV helps improve how well you take your antiretroviral medications. • It is not known if EGRIFTA SV is safe and effective in children, do not use in children. TM

Before using EGRIFTA SV , tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or have had cancer. • Have problems with blood sugar or diabetes. • Have scheduled heart or stomach surgery. • Have breathing problems. • Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. • Are taking any other prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. TM

EGRIFTA SV may cause serious side effects including: • Increased risk of new cancer in HIV positive patients or your cancer coming back (reactivation). Stop using EGRIFTA SV if any cancer symptoms come back. • Increased levels of your insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your IGF-1 levels while you are taking EGRIFTA SV . • Serious allergic reaction such as rash or hives anywhere over the body or on the skin, swelling of the face or throat, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, fast heartbeat, feeling of faintness or fainting, itching and reddening or flushing of the skin. If you have any of these symptoms, stop using EGRIFTA SV and get emergency medical help right away. TM

You should not take EGRIFTA SV if you: • Have a pituitary gland tumor, surgery, or other problems related to your pituitary gland, or have had radiation treatment to your head or head injury. • Have active cancer. • Are allergic to tesamorelin or any of the ingredients in EGRIFTA SV . • Are pregnant or become pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop using EGRIFTA SV and talk with your healthcare provider. • Are less than 18 years of age. TM

• Swelling or fluid retention. Call your healthcare provider if you have swelling, an increase in joint pain, or pain or numbness in your hands or wrist. • Increase in blood sugar (glucose) or diabetes. • Injection site reactions. Injection site reactions are a common side effect of EGRIFTA SV , but may sometimes be serious. • Increased risk of death in people who have critical illness because of heart or stomach surgery, trauma of serious breathing (respiratory) problems has happened when taking certain growth hormones. TM

The most common side effects of EGRIFTA SV include: • Pain in legs and arms • Muscle pain These are not all of the possible side effects of EGRIFTA SV . For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or to THERA patient support® toll-free at 1-833-23THERA (1-833-238-4372). This information is not intended to replace discussions with your doctor. For additional information about EGRIFTA SV , go to: www.egriftasv.com for the full Prescribing Information, Patient Information and Patient Instructions for Use, and talk to your doctor. For more information about EGRIFTA SV contact THERA patient support® toll-free at 1-833-23THERA (1-833-238-4372). TM

PZA522842.pgs 06.05.2020 15:03

ESA

2013

CELEBRATING UNSUNG HEROES IN 2013, THE POZ 100 CELEBRATED unsung heroes in the HIV community. We wanted to spotlight those individuals who work tirelessly on the front lines of the epidemic year after year but often are not recognized for their efforts. For the first time, the list was made up entirely of people living with the virus. That year also marked the first time the honorees were nominated directly by the community. From AIDS service organization volunteers and policy advocates to educators promoting prevention and treatment, the list represented an incredibly diverse spectrum of people living with HIV who were making a difference in the fight to end the epidemic. Most of the individuals on the list probably didn’t consider

34 POZ DECEMBER 2020 poz.com

themselves heroes, but we did. Each person— in a unique way—was taking a brave stand against HIV. And because they were all people living with the virus, they often had a critical understanding of what needed to be done and how best to do it. They knew what it’s like to be newly diagnosed and how it feels to deal with HIV-related stigma and discrimination. They understood the challenges of accessing care, treatment and support. By sharing their stories, they not only inspired others living with the virus but also empowered themselves and the entire HIV community. Our hope was that the people we spotlighted on the 2013 POZ 100 inspired you as much as they inspired us. Armed with power and passion, they continue to effect change in the world and encourage us to do the same.

(ALLEN, PERDOMO, JOHNSON AND FORDHAM) COURTESY OF SUBJECTS; (LIGHTS AND STAGE) ISTOCK

Clockwise from top left: Jeff Allen, Osvaldo Perdomo, Vanessa Johnson and Ruth Royster Fordham

THE POZ 100

GINA BROWN What advice do you have for people doing HIV advocacy work today? Unless you’re doing advocacy for yourself, it’s important to get in coalition with other people doing advocacy work. You may be able to lift a table by yourself, but it’s a lot less heavy if you have help. Remember: Burnout is real. TAMI HAUGHT Why do you advocate for people living with HIV? As a person who lived in silence for six years after my HIV diagnosis, I know that speaking out and advocating for people living with HIV is so important. Silence = Death, and I don’t plan on being silenced again.

(BROWN) DAYMON GARDNER; (HAUGHT) COURTESY OF TAMI HAUGHT; (PENNER) COURTESY OF MURRAY PENNER; (EARTH) ISTOCK

MURRAY PENNER How do you empower others? People are empowered when they have information and are treated as equals. In all my advocacy, I act with kindness and support, regardless of a person’s situation. When people have information and know about what’s happening with their bodies, they are more apt to take care of themselves and to speak out on behalf of themselves and others.

MEDICAL MILESTONE The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) reported that global AIDS-related deaths had fallen 30% since peaking in 2005.

THE 2013 POZ 100 Jaci Adams Dorian-Gray Alexander Brandon Allen Jeff Allen Marco Benjamin Bryant Bergeron Isadore Boni Vera Bowlby Gina Brown Marisol Calderon Tony Carlew Craig Chapin José F. Colón López Tommy Dennis Penny DeNoble Ruth DeRamus Jorge Diaz Sheila Dillon Deloris Dockrey Ed Doolittle Daniel Drifﬁn Kari Farmer-Coffman Millicent Foster Rob Garofalo Mark Garrett Benjamin Gerritz Justin Goforth Elizabeth Harrington Tami Haught Ángel Luis Hernández Alfredo Hernandez Chavez Kelly Hill Jeremy Hobbs Rick Holman Arthur Jackson Anthony Johnson Vanessa Johnson Bryan Jones Freda Jones Robert Knight Rob Land Doug Landreth Aaron Laxton Daniel Leyva Michael Luciano Jimmy Lucibello Kevin Maloney Leon Mann III Anthony Maselli Joe McAdams

Richard McMahan Tom Menard Robert Menk Hank Millbourne Luis Montanez Joshua Montgomery Shennod Moore Jeffrey Newman Naimah O’Neal Jeffrey Padilla Sharon Paul Murray Penner Osvaldo Perdomo Timothy Pitts Doris Plant-Hill Stephen A. Puibello Jaime Rebeles Ronald Regins Josh Robbins Cynthia Rodgers Ruth Royster Fordham James “JR” Rude Donald “Bud” Sadler Raquel Sapien Joe Scarborough Scott Schoettes Nicole Seguin Michael Siever Bob Skinner D Gregory Smith Lawrence Stallworth II Wayne Starks Cedric Sturdevant Teresa Sullivan Coleman Terrell Justin B. Terry-Smith Kerry Thomas Jane Valencia Nestor Vanegas-Charry Jason Villalobos Reed Vreeland Danielle Wasko Jeff Webb Robin Webb Mike Weight Robert Westwood Cassandra Whitty Erwin Willhite Kekoa Yap Mark Zatyrka

poz.com DECEMBER 2020 POZ 35

Clockwise from bottom left: Lauren Gauthier, Cassie Warren, Carlos Rosario, Paige Rawl, Jacques Agbobly and Christopher Jackson

2014

THE 2014 POZ 100 LOOKED toward the future of the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic by recognizing advocates under age 30 from throughout the United States and around the world, including nations as diverse as Uganda and the Netherlands. Nominated by members of the HI V/A IDS communit y, these honorees represented a generation of advocates and activists whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d never known a world without AIDS and included both people living with the virus as well as HI V-negative allies. Although the list featured celebrities, such as Ryan Lewis of the musical duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, and Miss America 2010 Caressa Cameron-Jackson, who use their platforms to

36 POZ DECEMBER 2020 poz.com

raise awareness and funds for HIV research, most honorees were cited for their work on the front lines in the fight against HIV. Among these were folks fighting the virus through their work at AIDS service organizations and government agencies as well as via medical research, political demonstrations, lobbying efforts and more. That year, POZ was also celebrating 20 years of publication. Having spotlighted so many advocates over the years who were already adults when the epidemic began, the POZ 100 list marked the perfect opportunity to usher in a new generation of changemakers whose energy and innovative ideas could help shift the course of HIV and its impact on the world.

(GAUTHIER) COURTESY OF LAUREN GAUTHIER; (WARREN, RAWL AND AGBOBLY) SAVERIO TRUGLIA; (ROSARIO) BILL WADMAN; (JACKSON) TOKY

CELEBRATING YOUTH POWER

THE POZ 100

MASONIA TRAYLOR How do you empower others? I empower others by speaking life. I show up with integrity, transparency and authenticity. I push through traumatic adversities while spreading love through my own pain. I bring light and bright colors into dark spaces.

(TRAYLOR) COURTESY OF MASONIA TRAYLOR; (ROSE) COURTESY OF MATTHEW ROSE; (FERRUSI) BILL WADMAN

MATTHEW ROSE Why do you advocate for people living with HIV? My people are not more vulnerable to HIV from a biological standpoint. Yet the conditions of their lives have made the virus flourish. The ability to live a long and healthy life should be within everyone’s grasp. I deploy my skills so that others can live a life that they imagine and are given life-affirming, life-extending, culturally responsive care. CHARLIE FERRUSI How do you empower others? In order to make progress in the movement, we need to empower new and existing leaders and sustain their involvement. I empower others by challenging them while also extending compassion and patience. I remind folks that showing up imperfectly is more meaningful than not showing up at all. We all have immense potential, power and influence. It is our job to tap into it, redistribute our resources and leverage our power to help others.

MEDICAL MILESTONE The results of the first phase of the PARTNER study showed that there were no transmissions between partners in gay or straight mixed-HIV-status couples in which the partner living with HIV had an undetectable viral load.

THE 2014 POZ 100 Jacques Agbobly Pablo Aguilera Charisse Ahmed Jojo Amanfu Guy Anthony Tranisha Arzah Josephine Ayankoya Darion Banister Rachelle Barbis Devin Barrington-Ward Marguerite “Margie” Basilico Dakota Basinger Michael David Battle Benjamin Beaury Kia Michelle Benbow Antonio Boone Ian Bradley-Perrin Katy Byrtus Juan Calderon Caressa Cameron-Jackson Korey Anthony Chisholm Brandon Corbin Alyssa Crawford Brad Pond Crelia Michael Eisman Clint Fausett Brandon Fernandes Charlie Ferrusi Cierra Foxx Greg Gabbert Miguel Garcia Lauren Gauthier Dante Gennaro Jr. David Goode Jr. Cree Gordon Genny Grilli Ari Hampton Adrian Haught Ethan Hawes Larry Houston-Huff Brandon Hughes Tahir Idris Christopher Jackson Jason Jenders Regnarian Jenkins Tracy L. Johnson Jr. Joyous Joiner Josephine Kamarebe Barbara Kemigisa Brandon King

Kachina Kudroff Gerald Labourdette III Vanessa Lathan Ryan Lewis Sean Lundy Gabriel Maldonado Rumbidzo Mapfumo Steven-Emmanuel Martinez Antwan Mathews Loyce Maturu Ian McMahan Marcus McPherson Edgar Mendez Maureen Milanga Brianna Milleville Briana Morgan Quang Nguyen Jamie O’Toole Blane Oborny Jason Parad Byanca Parker Mitchell Payne Robert Peraza Kyla Pfeif Samuel Pottebaum Cameron Raley Paige Rawl Jonathan Reveil Greg’ry Revenj Rashida Richardson Kenneth Rios-Soler Mathew Rodriguez Carlos Rosario Matthew Rose Lindsay Roth Amirah Sequeira Claudia Sisomphou Charles Smart Narong Sokhom Tyler Spencer Kirstie Strong Anna Szczegielniak Marvell L. Terry II Michael Tikili Masonia Traylor Lawrence Vinson III Cody Walker Jason Walker Cassie Warren Edward “Eddie” Wiley

poz.com DECEMBER 2020 POZ 37

From left: Acintia Wright, Silvia Valerio, Bruce Ward and Arthurine “Cookie” Thompson

2015

FOR THE SIXTH ANNUAL POZ 100, we honored long-term survivors, defined as people diagnosed with HIV before 1996, the year effective treatment for the virus became available. In fact, many honorees contracted the virus before 1985, the year the first HIV test became available. The 2015 POZ 100 included people who were adults when they were diagnosed as well as people born with the virus and those who were teenagers when they learned of their positive status. As usual, the list included a diverse group of individuals— gay, heterosexual, male, female, trans, Black, Asian, Latino, white—from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds. However,

38 POZ DECEMBER 2020 poz.com

the response to POZ’s call for nominees was so overwhelming that year—a sign that perhaps longterm survivors had not previously been sufficiently recognized—that the list was limited to residents of the United States and Puerto Rico. To have survived an HIV diagnosis before effective treatment is to have survived a so-called death sentence. The activists, educators, researchers, religious leaders, artists, writers and more honored in 2015 all persevered in their own personal fight against the virus to show others that it is possible to thrive long term with HIV despite the many factors—age, comorbidities, treatment fatigue, depression, survivor’s guilt— that might be working against them.

ALL PHOTOS: COURTESY OF SUBJECTS

CELEBRATING LONG-TERM SURVIVORS

THE POZ 100

NANCY DUNCAN How do you empower others? I try to make time to have open and honest conversations with people to help empower them. It’s also very important to be a good listener. I promote advocacy events and invite others to come and join me because if there are decisions being made that affect our lives, it shouldn’t be happening without us! Just being a positive role model can inspire others to get more involved.

(DUNCAN) BILL WADMAN; (MILANO) COURTESY OF MARK MILANO; (HERSCH) BILL WADMAN; (MOTHER AND BABY) ISTOCK (MODELS USED FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY)

MARK MILANO What advice do you have for people doing HIV advocacy work today? Progress never comes without struggle. We need to put our bodies on the line if we are to change the system. But don’t forget self-care! I’ve had to take breaks in order to keep my sanity. FRED HERSCH Why do you advocate for people living with HIV? Because AIDS is not over! We need to keep people’s attention on this ongoing global crisis.

MEDICAL MILESTONE Research showed that women living with HIV who breast-feed can protect their infants from infection for up to a year after birth by giving them a liquid form of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

THE 2015 POZ 100 Khafre Kujichagulia Abif Raymond Alejo Tez Anderson Rhonda Barnes Ed Barron Gilbert Bazan Donald Beard Jeff Berry Michael Bivens Shirley Boughton Stephanie Brooks-Wiggins Ronald Chaney Shana C. Jim Chud Orbit Clanton Patricia Clark Graig Cote Daniel Craddock Vince Crisostomo Robert Darrow Fernando De Hoyos Jose de Marco Ludovicus de Soncoeur José Diaz Vasquez Connie Dukes Nancy Duncan Felicia Flames Elizondo Maurice Evans Carrie Foote Jolene Ford Larry Frampton Claire Gasamagera Sanford E. Gaylord Lolisa Gibson-Hunte Joel Goldman Grissel Granados Ryan Grant Mark Grantham Todd Grove Jesús Guillén Perry N. Halkitis Jeff Hammond Margaret Harris-Guyette Stephen Hartley Fred Hersch Mark Hunter Andrena Ingram Joseph Interrante Arturo Jackson III Edward Jackson

Stacy Jennings Janet Johnson Richard Koob Scott A. Kramer Jay Lassiter Nancer LeMoins Sherri Lewis Wanda London Alejandro Lopez Luna Luis Ortiz Vickie Lynn Cornelius Mabin Sean McKenna Maria Mejia Mark Milano Joshua Moore Joe Norton Eddie Orozco Jan Carl Park Robert Penn Andrew Pulsipher Jim Raper Jon Jay Read Lepena Reid Hunter Reynolds Tatania Riley Doug Rose Mark Rosenbaum Cecilia Ross Julia Sanchez Jonathan Scott Erin Secker Vanessa Sharp Ron Simmons Bob Skinner Glenda Small Bill Snow Charles Straight Jeff Taylor Arthurine “Cookie” Thompson Bruce Turner Silvia Valerio Steven Vargas Bruce Ward Sam Wickersham Auntjuan Wiley Jeffery Williams-Knight Ernest Wilson Acintia Wright Mark Wyn

poz.com DECEMBER 2020 POZ 39

Clockwise from bottom left: Janet Kitchen, Auntjuan Wiley, Bambi Gaddist, Joaquin “Jack” Garcia Jr. and Butch McKay

CELEBRATING THE SOUTH THE 2016 POZ 100 LIST PAID tribute to HIV advocates living and working in the South, then and still the region in the United States most impacted by HIV/AIDS. For the purposes of the list, POZ used the U.S. Census Bureau’s definition of the South as encompassing Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. Recognizing the work of advocates in the region was an obvious choice in 2016, which was also a presidential election year. Any attempt to end the epidemic in the United States would require a concentrated effort there. At the time, 44% of people living with HIV in the United States resided in the South despite the fact that the region accounted for only 37%

42 POZ DECEMBER 2020 poz.com

of the total U.S. population. To say that year’s honorees—a mix of HIV-positive and HIVnegative people—had their work cut out for them would be an understatement. Nonetheless, there was no shortage of folks doing the needed work to combat the stigma, lack of resources, limited access to health care and rising rates of sexually t ra nsm it ted i n fect ions standing in the way of efforts to stanch the epidemic. Those honored in 2016 were a group as diverse as the communities they serve. Honorees included professional AIDS advocates and part-time volunteers, Black church members and an atheist from Black Lives Matter, scientists and stay-at-home moms, social workers and social media savants all united in their quest to address such neglected populations as Latinos, women and Black gay and bisexual men.

(WOOD) ISTOCK; (KITCHEN) BRYAN REGAN; (WILEY, GADDIST, GARCIA AND MCKAY) COURTESY OF SUBJECTS

2016

THE POZ 100

STACY JENNINGS What advice do you have for people doing HIV advocacy work today? Speaking up and speaking out will give you the freedom to live, love and be yourself. I’ve been an advocate since birth. When I was born, my cries were my advocacy tools to be fed, to be changed, to be held and to be loved. We need to continue to speak out because advocating will get you everything you need and desire. TAMMY KINNEY What advice do you have for people doing HIV advocacy work today? Be sure to ask yourself why you are doing this work. Sometimes advocates have to get uncomfortable to help a person living with HIV. Remember to practice self-care and be willing to step back and let someone else step up. We have a new generation of advocates. Let them learn from those who were ﬁghting in the ’80s, and we need to be willing to learn from them.

(JENNINGS, KINNEY AND CANAS) COURTESY OF SUBJECTS

DEREK CANAS Why do you advocate for people living with HIV? I’m an advocate because stigma is still a very strong reason that people don’t get tested.

MEDICAL MILESTONE The Undetectable Equals Untransmittable (U=U) movement was launched by the Prevention Access Campaign, a coalition of activists, community members and scientists.

U=U

THE 2016 POZ 100 Robert Adams-Ghee Dazmine Allen Ellen Allen Ruby Amagwula Tiye Amos-Mandela David Armstead Justin Bell Stephen Bloodworth Renee Y. Burgess Michael Burks Angel Camacho Derek Canas Nicholas Carlisle Adrian Castellanos John Curry Steve Daniels Laurie Dill Dázon Dixon Diallo Billy Duckett Chip Eakins Yvonne Early Jason Elliott Stephen Fallon David Fawcett Darnell Ferrell Phyllis Finch Gregory “Gregg” Fordham Jaysen Foreman-McMaster Victoria “Vicky” Fortugno-Oliver Gary Fowler Joe C. Fuentes Jr. Bambi Gaddist Joaquin “Jack” Garcia Jr. Patrick “Pat” Gordon Mark Grantham Sam Graper Chelsea Gulden Christine Hackford Leslie Hall TK “Thunder Kellie” Hampton Danny Harris David Hearn Ronald Henderson Jean Hernandez Kathie Hiers Jeremy Hobbs Monique Howell-Moree Art Jackson Stacy Jennings Darrin Johnson

Kecia Johnson Monica Johnson Marxavian Jones Shyronn Jones Carmen Julious Deborah Kahal Alleen King-Carter Tammy Kinney Daron Kirven Janet Kitchen Twana Lawler Cheryl Lewis Edwards Arianna Lint Jonathan Lucas Tiommi Luckett C. Andrew Martin Michael Maus Carolyn McAllaster Butch McKay Brady Morris Morris Murray Roberto Olmo Jon Gabriel Ortiz Byanca Parker David Parker Michael Emanuel Rajner Ken Rapkin Allison Rice Cathy Robinson-Pickett Steven Romeo Esther Ross Blake Rowley Evelyn Scott Ieshia Scott Shirley Selvage Melvin G. Slack III Alex Smith Carlton Smith Savalas Squire Lee Storrow Wesley Thompson Jennifer Townsend The Reverend Joyce Turner Keller Kevin Varner The Reverend Debbie Warren Daniel Weaver Robin Webb Charles Whitehead Auntjuan Wiley Ashton P. Woods

poz.com DECEMBER 2020 POZ 43

Clockwise from top left: Grissel Granados, Evany Turk, Barb Cardell, Sharon DeCuir and Venita Ray

2017

WHEN OUR STAFF FIRST brainstormed ideas for the 2017 POZ 100, we figured it would be an opportune time to highlight women, not only because women account for 25% of people living with HIV in the United States but also because, like many people, we expected our nation to swear in its first female president that year. Although that didn’t happen, the election of Donald Trump as president instead coincided with the rise of the #MeToo movement and attacks on Planned Parenthood and women’s health care, all of which underscored the need to celebrate women fighting the HIV epidemic. Honorees in the 2017 POZ 100 consisted of cis- and transgender women, both living with HIV and not, ranging from clinical researchers and boardroom executives to on-theground advocates, HIV testers and community organizers.

44 POZ DECEMBER 2020 poz.com

Many of the women on the POZ 100 list did advocacy work around domestic violence, immigration rights, sex work, homelessness and harm reduction, illustrating how HIV intersects with these issues and relates to the overall well-being and health of women. “The idea that HIV affects only gay and bisexual men is a myth,” said Oriol Gutierrez, our editorin-chief, when promoting the POZ 100. “Because of this longstanding myth, women are often ignored or dismissed as an afterthought in the larger discussions surrounding HIV/AIDS.” We were thrilled to spotlight 100 of these women in 2017, including those who graced the cover, several of whom were members of Positive Women’s Network–USA, the national advocacy group that aims to get HIV-positive women more involved in public policy and decision-making.

(GRANADOS, RAY, TURK, DECUIR AND CARDELL) JONATHAN TIMMES

CELEBRATING WOMEN

THE POZ 100

TORI COOPER Why do you advocate for people living with HIV? I advocate for people living with HIV because I understand that with greater visibility comes greater responsibility. Each of us must use our privilege to create more opportunities and access to those with less privilege and access and fewer opportunities. None of us achieves viral suppression without help. Finding a doctor and accessing supportive services often come through folks’ networks. HIV advocacy is about creating villages of support. GLENNA MCCARTHY Why do you advocate for people living with HIV? I remember when some people (including me) were ostracized and even disowned by our families. Misinformation still exists, and everyone needs to have a safe space to build their foundation and self-awareness.

(COOPER) JONATHAN TIMMES; (MCCARTHY) BILL WADMAN; VAUGHAN (COURTESY OF JENNIFER VAUGHAN)

JENNIFER VAUGHAN What advice do you have for people doing HIV advocacy work today? Know that you are making a difference. It never matters how small or big it is, it just matters.

MEDICAL MILESTONE The Food and Drug Administration approved an HIV treatment regimen that contains only two antiretrovirals, instead of the standard three or more drugs.

THE 2017 POZ 100 Mary Arbuckle Ivy Arce Tranisha Arzah Gwenn Barringer Asia Betancourt Lisa Binkley Dale Brewer Cynthia Brinson Lisa Britt Vanessa Campus Barb Cardell Juanita Chestnut Ezerae Coates Tori Cooper Simone Counts Karina Danvers Sharon DeCuir Pamela Denzer Alicia Diggs Sharen Duke Michele Durham Marci Egel Nikki Ferraro Carrie Foote Anna Forbes Geneva Galloway-Pitts Kathy Garner Tuyishime Claire Gasamagera Kathleen Gerus Darbison Kelly Gluckman Lillibeth Gonzalez Grissel Granados Gloria Guzman Janet Hall Mildred Harper Tami Haught Kathie Hiers Juanita Hubbard Barbara Hughes Stacy Hyde Olga Irwin Tracey Jackson Michelle Jackson-Rollins LeSherri James Stacy Jennings Monica Johnson Marsha Jones Shyronn Jones Esther Kim Alleen King-Carter

Arianna Lint Nichole Little Barbara J. Lock Sylvia Lopez Theresa Mack Julie Marston Nina Martinez Carolyn Massey Glenna McCarthy Rita McDaniel Patricia “Pat” McNeill Shelton Joyce Mitchell Candace Y.A. Montague Johanne Morne Allison Nichol Ijeoma Opara Teresia Njoki Otieno Julie Patterson Laura Pinsky Aracelis Quiñones Shakyara Ralat Paige Rawl Venita Ray Debra Richardson Valerie L. Rochester Connie Roebuck Diana Rowan Shirley Royster Beverly Sha Judith Shaw Arianna Smith Jennie Smith-Camejo Meta Smith-Davis Cindy Stine Blake Strasser Teresa Sullivan Chuan Teng Demetra Tennison-Grant Desiree Thompson Julene Tripp Weaver Evany Turk Jennifer Vaughan Brandi Velasquez Martha Warriner Jarrett Cynthia Watson-Catha Marguerite Wheeler-Lara Lisa Diane White Terri Wilder Victoria “Tori” Williams Valerie Wojciechowicz

poz.com DECEMBER 2020 POZ 45

From left: Pat Kelly, Moisés Agosto-Rosario, Rosa Rivera Avilés, Eric Jannke and John Tenorio

2018

ABOUT HALF OF THE 1.2 million people living with HIV in the United States are 50 or older. Within a decade, the proportion is expected to jump to 70%. That means this particular age group is the future of the epidemic, and it is increasingly important to understand the unique challenges related to growing older with HIV. These include, for example, dealing with isolation and comorbidities (other health issues that coexist with HIV, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and depression) and understanding how the virus and its treatment affect the aging process. Many of the people living with HIV who are 50 or older are also long-term survivors, meaning they were HIV positive

46 POZ DECEMBER 2020 poz.com

before 1996, when effective treatment first became available. Many long-term survivors never expected to live to see 50, and yet many honorees on the 2018 POZ 100 list were well beyond that age; the oldest was 78. It is also true that many people contracted HI V while in their 50s or older—one man was actually diagnosed with AIDS on his 50th birthday—a reminder that it’s important to discuss HIV prevention strategies with people of every age. The 2018 POZ 100 presented more than an opportunity to celebrate a diverse roster of HIV-positive advocates. It was also a chance to show the world that it’s possible to survive, thrive and age well with the virus.

(KELLY, AGOSTO-ROSARIO, RIVERA AVILÉS, JANNKE AND TENORIO) JENSEN LARSON

CELEBRATING PEOPLE 50 AND OVER

THE POZ 100

ROSA RIVERA AVILÉS Why do you advocate for people living with HIV? When I received my HIV diagnosis nearly 24 years ago, I had two paths before me: to let myself die or to advocate for my rights and for others living with HIV who dare not speak publicly. I decided that the best legacy I can leave is to create a more digniﬁed life for those with HIV. My dream is that people with HIV can be treated with respect.

(RIVERA AVILÉS AND JONES) JENSEN LARSON; (FONSECA) ANGEL VALENTÍN

BRYAN JONES What advice do you have for people doing HIV advocacy work today? Read The Denver Principles because they are important to understand. As an advocate, you may have to voice an unpopular opinion, and it may make people in the room uncomfortable. But why stay silent? My rule is, if I’m uncomfortable, everyone in the whole damn room is going be uncomfortable because I’m going to speak my voice loud and clear. ANSELMO FONSECA What advice do you have for people doing HIV advocacy work today? If this is not your passion, stay away. If it is, remember this is about survival; get ready for very hard work. You must pace yourself. You are in it for the long haul. Along the way, some will not stay or be with you. Don’t get discouraged; many others will, and those who do will be enough.

MEDICAL MILESTONE According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the national annual HIV infection rate dropped 15%.

THE 2018 POZ 100 Waldon Adams Stephen Addona Moisés Agosto-Rosario Tez Anderson Lillian Anglada Stephen Aube Proscovia Ayoo Karla Barnett Robbie Bergman Randy Boyd Wanda Brendle-Moss Chris Bridges William Brochinsky Reginald T. Brown Marilyn Burnett Giulio Maria Carbelli Brian Carmichael Marco Castro-Bojorquez Joel Caudle Orbit Clanton Neil Coffman-Grey Robert Cornelius Shelia Crockett William Scott Daly Mark A. Davis Larry Day Yolanda Diaz Reggie Dunbar II Jace Dyckman Bryan Fleury Anselmo Fonseca Larry Frampton Randall Furrow Lillibeth Gonzalez Mark Grantham Aundaray Guess Jesús Guillén Carlos Gutierrez-Solana Bill Hall Mitchell Handrich Graham Harriman Danny Harris Michelle Harris Deborah Helm Patrice Henry Ángel Luis Hernández Matthew Hodson Franceina Hopkins Mark Hughes Olga Irwin

Edward Jackson Eric Jannke Ronald Johnson Bryan Jones Mary Frances Jones Perry Junjulas Pat Kelly Mark S. King Kevin Koerner Kenneth Lamb Bob Leahy Kevin Lish Abad Lopez Michelle Lopez Randal Lucero Carlos Maldonado Steven Manning Eunice Marshall Kalvin Marshall Joyce McDonald Enrique Menendez Susan Mull Aaron Myatt Eric Novak Charlie Palmer Jesse Peel Osvaldo Perdomo Robert Pompa Rob Quinn Melanie Reese Lepena Reid Robert Riester Rosa Rivera Avilés Raul Robles Michael Rouppet Thomas Sampson Charles Sanchez Steve Schalchlin Scott Schlaffman Harold R. “Scottie” Scott Chanelle Sessooms Robert (Bob) Skinner Winthrop Smith William Snow Steve Stagon Tom Straley John Tenorio Larry Watson Hector Xtravaganza Michael “Zee” Zalnasky

poz.com DECEMBER 2020 POZ 47

Clockwise from top left: Tori Cooper, Keiva Lei Cadena, Julisa Abad, Racquelle Trammell and Tyree Williams

2019

TRANSGENDER PEOPLE have always been included among POZ 100 honorees, but this year felt like the appropriate time to give them the spotlight. Transgender, gender-nonconforming and nonbinary (TGNCNB) people were finally being recognized in mainstream media—notably in the FX series Pose, which starred transgender actresses and featured HIV storylines, and through entertainers like Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness and the rapper, poet and activist Mykki Blanco, both of whom are living with HIV and sharing their experiences with the public. Sadly, transgender people also made headlines for more concerning reasons: The Trump administration launched efforts to allow discrimination against transgender people in the military and in health care. And an alarming number of transgender women, primarily trans women of color, were murdered. What’s more, HIV rates among transgender women remained disproportionately high: About 14% of all trans-

48 POZ DECEMBER 2020 poz.com

gender women and about 44% of Black trans women have HIV. But as honorees on the 2019 list illustrated, the TGNCNB community is resilient. Its members fight not just to end the HIV epidemic but also to educate and inspire and to raise awareness about transgender and nonbinary people and the issues important to them. These advocates help people secure housing, receive proper health services, obtain correct gender markers on official documents and more. A happy coincidence transpired October 2019 with the first National Trans Visibility March on DC, which provided wonderful photo opportunities for the POZ 100. Two years earlier, at the annual United States Conference on AIDS, a group of transgender advocates stormed the stage to demand that the HIV community be more inclusive of TGNCNB people— especially with regard to research and employment. We were honored to raise the voices of these advocates, both HIV positive and negative, and their stories are inspiring for all times.

(COOPER, WILLIAMS, CADENA, TRAMMELL AND ABAD) JONATHAN TIMMES

CELEBRATING TRANSGENDER, GENDERNONCONFORMING AND NONBINARY ADVOCATES

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THE POZ 100

ARIANNA LINT What advice do you have for people doing HIV advocacy work today? Visibility is everything. Use every opportunity you can to speak publicly or contribute your knowledge and power. The more visible we are, the more we chip away at the stigma surrounding HIV. I’d also recommend having a self-care plan. Our work can be stressful and challenging, and it’s important that we take time to recharge and center ourselves. GIULIANI ALVARENGA Why do you advocate for people living with HIV? I’m an advocate because laws are in place that oppress folks living with HIV.

MEDICAL MILESTONE Surgeons at Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore performed the first kidney transplant between two people living with HIV in the United States.

50 POZ DECEMBER 2020 poz.com

THE 2019 POZ 100 Julisa Abad Giuliani Alvarenga Jacob Anderson-Minshall Alexandra Billings Blossom C. Brown Keiva Lei Cadena Joaquín Carcaño Dee Dee Chamblee Elia Chino Cecilia Chung Thomi Clinton Jamie Collins Billie Cooper Tori Cooper Alex Corona JD Davids Dietz Teo Drake Terry Dudley Kiala Emmons Ashley Figueroa Cecilia Gentili Masha Gessen Caleb Mikayla Goins-Robinson Kellen Gold Kayla Gore Andrea Harrington George Henry Hastie Kris Hayashi Luna Hernandez Achim Howard Yasmyne Hunter Dominique Jackson Sy’ria Jackson Aricles “Wulf” James Mackenzie Jianelli Courtney Johnson Tamika “Devinity” Jones Evonné Kaho Kelly Kline Aryah Lester Octavia Y. Lewis Arianna Lint Adrian Lowe Devin Michael Lowe Nikki Araguz Loyd Tiommi Luckett Monique Mackey Jeffrey Marsh Jevon Martin

Gia Martinez Morgan Mayfaire Jesse Medina Marissa Miller Dharma Mirza Janet Mock Indya Moore Bobbee Trans Mooremon Socorro “Cori” Moreland Lailani Muniz Our Lady J Johanna Padilla Alex Palacios Channyn Lynne Parker Alexis Powell Morey Riordan Bré Anne Rivera Alexa Rodriguez Mj Rodriguez Maria Louise Roman-Taylorson Angelica Ross Sabastian Roy Nadine Ruff Hailie Sahar Bamby Salcedo Amirage Saling Daniela Simba Danez Smith Valerie Spencer Kiara St. James David Strachan Jasmine Tasaki Kayden Taylor Gabrielle Thomas Jack Thompson Racquelle Trammell Dianne Michelle Trinidad-Ramos Jonathan Van Ness Malaysia Walker Ja’Mel Ashely Ware Kim Watson Lucas Wehle Sasha Wengler Dana White Reagin Wiklund Mulan Williams Tyree Williams Mara Naomi Williamson Katie Willingham Jessica Xavier

(LUCKETT) COURTESY OF TIOMMI LUCKETT; (LINT) JONATHAN TIMMES; (ALVARENGA) JEFF SINGER

TIOMMI LUCKETT What advice do you have for people doing HIV advocacy work today? My advice for anyone doing advocacy work is to be kind to yourself. You do not have to do everything or be a part of everything. You must take time for yourself because the ﬁght will continue. Fatigue and burnout will happen if you do not pace yourself in advocacy.

ON THE COVER 32

11 10

2 5

55 15 30

28 23

27 25

1. Naina Khanna/Hector Emanuel 2. Jesús Guillén/Courtesy of 3. Marissa Miller/Jonathan Timmes 4. Venita Ray and Evany Turk/ Jonathan Timmes 5. Khafre Kujichagulia Abif/Courtesy of

48 51

11. Pat Kelly and Bryan Jones/ Jensen Larson 12. Phill Wilson/Toky 13. Fred Hersch/Bill Wadman 14. Rep. Barbara Lee/Bill Wadman 15. Carrie Foote/Courtesy of

Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation

50 49

6. Françoise Barré-Sinoussi/Courtesy of IAS/Steve Shapiro 7. Narong Sokhom/Bill Wadman 8. Sheryl Lee Ralph/Reggie Anderson 9. Mondo Guerra/Blake Little 10. Tranisha Arzah/Courtesy of

44 45

18 19

42 43

47 16. Timothy Ray Brown/Toby Burditt 17. Shyronn Jones/Courtesy of 18. Annie Lennox/Shutterstock 19. Mark Harrington/Kevin McDermott 20. Ron Simmons/Bill Wadman 21. Kathie Hiers/Courtesy of

15. Extent and Nature of Circulation

a. Total Number of Copies (Net press run)

22. Reginald T. Brown and Wanda Brendle-Moss/Jensen Larson 23. Art Jackson/Jillian Clark 24. Deborah Persaud/Courtesy of Johns Hopkins Children’s Center 25. Arianna Lint and Stacy Jennings/ Jonathan Timmes 26. Ja’Mel Ashely Ware/Jonathan Timmes 27. Michael Tikili/Bill Wadman 28. Teresa Sullivan/Jonathan Timmes 29. Marisol Calderon/Courtesy of 30. Dab Garner/Jensen Hande 31. Maria Louise Roman-Taylorson/ Jonathan Timmes 32. Gabriel Maldonado/Courtesy of 33. Carolyn McAllaster/Courtesy of 34. Elton John/Shutterstock 35. David France/Christopher Bayer 36. Alex Smith/Courtesy of 37. Lolisa Gibson-Hunte/Bill Wadman 38. Miss Universe Leila Lopes/Shutterstock 39. Vanessa Lathan/Bill Wadman 40. Joe McAdams/Courtesy of 41. Tom Menard/Courtesy of 42. Mark S. King/Jonathan Timmes 43. Rob Quinn and Lillibeth Gonzalez/ Jensen Larson 44. Luna Luis Ortiz/Bill Wadman 45. JD Davids/Michael Bonfiglion 46. Lepena Reid/Courtesy of 47. Erin Secker/Bill Wadman 48. Karen Pearl/Nicholas Roberts 49. Aaron Laxton/Courtesy of 50. Ashton P. Woods/Lynn Lane 51. Ángel Luis Hernández/Courtesy of 52. Cathy Olufs/Dennis Drenner 53. The Reverend Charles King/ Bill Wadman 54. Dazmine Allen/Courtesy of 55. Barb Cardell/Jonathan Timmes

Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months

Actual no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date

126,000

1. Publication Title

POZ

2. Publication Number

014-618

3. Filing Date

October 1st, 2020

4. Issue Frequency

Monthly, except Jan/Feb, Apr/May, July/ Aug & Oct/Nov

5. Numbers of Issues Published Annually

6. Annual Subscription Price

$19.97

7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication (Not printer) (Street, city, state and Zip): Contact person, telephone

Smart + Strong 212 West 35th Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10001 Ian Anderson 212.938.2051

8. Complete mailing Address of headquarters or general Business Office of Publisher (not printer)

Smart + Strong 212 West 35th Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10001

9. Full names and complete mailing addresses of Publisher, Editor and Managing Editor

The Publisher is Ian Anderson; the Editor in Chief is Oriol Gutierrez; the Managing Editor is Jennifer Morton. Their address is 212 West 35th Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10001

10. Owner

POZ is Owned by CDM Publishing, LLC and Jeremy Grayzel. Smart + Strong 212 West 35th Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10001

e. Total Nonrequested Distribution (sum of 15d)

11. Known bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 percent or more of the Total amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities.

None

i. Percent Paid and/or requested circulation (15c/f x 100)

12. Tax Status (nonprofits)

N/A

Publication required. Will be printed with the December 2020 issue of this publication 17. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager or owner

POZ October/November 2020

I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties). Ian Anderson, President, October 1st, 2020

13. Publication Title: 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data

b. Legitimate Paid and/or Requested Distribution 1. Outside County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541

125,323

125,470

2. In-County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions state on PS Form 3541

3. Sales through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales and Other Paid or Requested Distribution Outside USPS

4. Requested Copies Distributed by Other Mail Classes Through the USPS

125,323

125,470

321

219

0 0 0

0 321 125,644

0 219 125,689

356 126,000

311 126,000

100 %

c. Total Paid and/or requested Circulation (Sum of 15b) d. Nonrequested Distribution 1. Outside County Nonrequested Copies Stated on Form 3541 2. In-County Nonrequested Copies 3. Nonrequested Copies Distributed Through the USPS by Other Classes of Mail 4. Nonrequested Copies Distributed Outside Mail f. Total Distribution (Sum of 15c and 15e) g. Copies not Distributed h. Total (sum of 15f and g)

16. Publication of Statement of Ownership

HEROES BY ALICIA GREEN

Long before Anthony Fauci, MD, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), garnered global recognition for his response to COVID-19 in the United States, he was well-known as a leader in the fight against AIDS. As a physician-scientist in 1981, Fauci learned of a new disease emerging among gay men and gathered a team of scientists to study it. “My whole career and life changed because I decided that this was important enough for me to change what I was doing and start pursuing this disease that didn’t even have a name at the time,” said Fauci during a 2016 NIAID interview. When he was appointed NIAID director in 1984, Fauci continued his research, achieving several scientific breakthroughs, including a better understanding of HIV’s effect on the body’s immune system. Fauci—who in his 36-year tenure has advised six presidents on HIV/ AIDS—has used basic and applied science to prevent, diagnose and treat the virus. He also played an integral role in the development of the Presi-

52 POZ DECEMBER 2020 poz.com

dent’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, which was launched 17 years ago. “It’s been an extraordinary experience working with [the HIV] community,” Fauci told POZ in 2010. “Right from the beginning, it was very clear to me that there was a tremendous amount of frustration, anger, fear and pain that drove the [early] activists to be very confrontational, but I actually learned a lot from what they were saying.” At the time, HIV activists weren’t very fond of Fauci or the federal government’s response to the epidemic. But Fauci helped broker an understanding by meeting with ACT UP members to address their concerns and hear their insights about how to further AIDS research and improve the clinical trial process. In 2010, Fauci also told POZ he had a lot more work to do and would continue to study HIV in hopes of bettering the health outcomes of people with the virus and eventually finding a vaccine. But now, he is at the forefront of another U.S. epidemic, one that has killed more than 200,000 Americans. As the nation’s top infectious disease expert, he has been informing

the public about the novel coronavirus and the best ways to stay safe since February. As a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, he has also relied on science-based evidence to help shape the government’s response to the virus. In September, Fauci sat down with HIV activist Peter Staley to discuss COVID-19, viral transmission, harm reduction and more. (You can watch the interview on Staley’s social media.) “Oftentimes, in our concern about either scaring people or taking things out of context, we don’t say something that is reasonable and true and would be helpful if people heard it,” he said. Both Fauci and Staley believe the coronavirus may be transmitted via aerosolized particles to some extent, but Fauci warned that this doesn’t mean a person can’t go outside. Rather, it underscores the importance of allowing air to circulate when gathering indoors by keeping windows open. “Wear a mask, keep a distance, avoid crowds, and, importantly, outdoors is clearly better than indoors,” Fauci said. “And when indoors, [have] circulation to the extent that you possibly can.” ■

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES

EXPERTS MATTER

As the nation’s top infectious disease expert, Anthony Fauci, MD, is a leader in the fight against AIDS and COVID-19.

SURVEY

Have you ever been denied health care or treatment due to discrimination?

❑ Yes ❑ No 12

EQUAL TREATMENT? Discrimination comes in many forms and is often rooted in a person’s race, age, sex or religion. When discrimination is related to HIV, it can negatively affect a person’s ability to access support, care and treatment. POZ wants to know about your experiences with discrimination. 1

Have you experienced discrimination because of your HIV status?

❑ Yes ❑ No 13

Have you experienced discrimination because of another reason (race, age, sex, religion)?

How often do you encounter discrimination?

❑ Not very much ❑ Not at all

Have you ever filed a complaint against someone because of discrimination?

❑ Yes ❑ No 16

Do you believe that if you filed a discrimination complaint justice would be served?

❑ Yes ❑ No 17

❑ Often ❑ Rarely ❑ Sometimes ❑ Never 4

How much does discrimination affect your mental health or well-being?

❑ A lot ❑ Somewhat

❑ Yes ❑ No 3

Has the possibility of discrimination ever prevented you from seeking health care or treatment?

❑ Yes ❑ No

❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ I’m not HIV positive. 2

Have you ever received inadequate health care or treatment due to discrimination?

Do you believe enough is being done in the United States to combat discrimination?

❑ Yes ❑ No

Have you experienced discrimination in a public setting, such as a restaurant or a park?

What year were you born? __ __ __ __

❑ Yes ❑ No

What is your gender?

❑ Male ❑ Transgender

Have you experienced discrimination in a classroom?

❑ Yes ❑ No

❑ Female ❑ Other

20 What is your sexual orientation? 6

❑ Straight ❑ Gay/lesbian

Have you experienced discrimination at your workplace?

❑ Yes ❑ No 21 7

Have you experienced discrimination at a doctor’s office or health care facility?

❑ Yes ❑ No 8

Have you ever been unreasonably stopped or questioned by the police or a security officer?

❑ Yes ❑ No 9

ISTOCK

What is your ethnicity? (Check all that apply.)

❑ American Indian or Alaska Native ❑ Arab or Middle Eastern ❑ Asian ❑ Black or African American ❑ Hispanic or Latino ❑ Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander ❑ White ❑ Other (please specify): ___________________

Have you ever felt threatened due to discrimination?

❑ Yes ❑ No 10

❑ Bisexual ❑ Other

Have you ever been denied any type of service due to discrimination?

❑ Yes ❑ No

22 What is your current level of education?

❑ Some high school ❑ Some college

❑ High school graduate ❑ Bachelor’s degree or higher

23 What is your ZIP code? __ __ __ __ __

Please fill out this confidential survey at poz.com/survey. Or scan or take a photo of your completed survey and email it to website@poz.com.

LOWER YOUR VIRAL LOAD. AND MAKE UNDETECTABLE * A POSSIBILITY AGAIN. * Undetectable viral load is defined as fewer than 50 copies of HIV per mL of blood.

Ask your healthcare provider about TROGARZO® – A fully active HIV-1 treatment designed specifically for those with treatment failures

For more information, visit TROGARZO.com WHAT IS TROGARZO®? TROGARZO® (ibalizumab-uiyk) is a prescription medicine that is used with other antiretroviral medicines to treat Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV-1) infection in adults who: • have received anti-HIV-1 regimens in the past, and • have HIV-1 virus that is resistant to antiretroviral medicines, and • who are failing their current antiretroviral therapy It is not known if TROGARZO® is safe and effective in children. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Do not receive TROGARZO® if you have had an allergic reaction to TROGARZO® or any of the ingredients in TROGARZO®. TROGARZO® can cause serious side effects, including: • Allergic reactions. TROGARZO® can cause allergic reactions, including serious reactions, during and after infusion. Tell

your healthcare provider or nurse, or get medical help right away if you get any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction: trouble breathing, swelling in your throat, wheezing, chest pain, chest tightness, cough, hot flush, nausea or vomiting. • Changes in your immune system (Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome) can happen when you start taking HIV-1 medicines. Your immune system might get stronger and begin to fight infections that have been hidden in your body for a long time. Tell your health care provider right away if you start having new symptoms after receiving TROGARZO®. The most common side effects of TROGARZO® include diarrhea, dizziness, nausea, and rash. These are not all the possible side effects of TROGARZO®. Before you receive TROGARZO® (ibalizumab-uiyk), tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you are:

• Pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TROGARZO® may harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant during treatment with TROGARZO®. • Breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. You should not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby. Do not breastfeed if you are receiving TROGARZO® as it is not known if TROGARZO® passes into breast milk. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with TROGARZO®. Also tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. For more information or medical advice about side effects, ask your healthcare provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or the THERA patient support® program at 1-833-238-4372.

PZA525646.pgs 10.09.2020 15:47

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