NMAC will also host the fourth annual Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit on December 3-4 in Houston, Texas. Over 1,000 people will join us for this important meeting focused on the developing research, community education, and access to the myriad of biomedical tools to avert HIV infection, i.e., PrEP, PEP, and U=U. We are proud to welcome Houston’s Mayor, Sylvester Turner. The program book is 35 pages. Please visit the Summit website to download.
This year’s Summit will continue to address the tough issues facing our movement. The Opening Plenary asks the question, “Can We End the HIV Epidemic in Women Without Focusing on Black Women?” NMAC fights for health equity for all women. However, we recognize that 60% of all women living with HIV are Black cisgender women who primarily acquire HIV through sexual contact. NMAC firmly stands by our mantra that we must Lead with Race. This health inequity is really an issue of racial injustice that must end.
NMAC is actively partnering with the CDC to ensure that transgender women and non-gender conforming male-bodied persons are not classified with gay men. We cannot accept incomplete epidemiological data and anecdotal evidence about this impact of HIV on T/GNC persons. Some studies point yield that 50-80% of Black transgender women are living with HIV. One of the highest rates of HIV in America for any subpopulation. The needs of T/GNC people are unique and must be distinguished from MSM.
The plenary will also have a memorial to all the transgender women who were killed this year in America who were primarily Black women. Violence is a growing and uncontrolled epidemic in the transgender community and NMAC believes we can’t end the HIV epidemic until we address the violence against transgender and gender non-conforming individuals.
Other plenary topics include a Federal Update from Harold J. Phillips, Senior HIV Advisor and Chief Operating Officer of Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America. Joining Harold are Jhetari Carney, MPH from HRSA; David Purcell, JD, PhD from CDC; and Neeraj Gandotra, MD from SAMHSA. The closing plenary will look at HIV Criminalization and Biomedical HIV Prevention. It will feature Nikko Briteramos, Kamaria Laffrey and Lambda Legal’s Scott Schoettes.
NMAC is grateful to all of our sponsors of the Summit including Presenting Sponsor Gilead, Benefactors Avita Pharmacy and ViiV Healthcare, Supporters Curant Health and Walgreens, with our Allies In The Meantime Men’s Group and Janssen.
