HIV at an Inflection Point: Invigorating Community Impact

HIV changed the world and ushered in a new era of stronger partnerships with local communities in defining, planning and implementing services. It was not simply the virus itself, but the community response that expanded perceptions of what collective action is needed and what it can achieve. Widespread hostility to people with HIV and the communities of which they are a part led to the founding document of the people with HIV advocacy movement, the Denver Principles. Issued in 1983, they just commemorated their 40th anniversary and remain relevant today asserting that “we condemn attempts to label us as ‘victims’, a term which implies defeat, and we are only
occasionally ‘patients,’ a term which implies passivity, helplessness, and dependence on the care of others.

We are ‘People with AIDS.’” The principles state rights of people with AIDS that includes the right to a full and satisfying sexual and emotional life, quality medical treatment, full explanations of all medical procedures and risks, the right to choose or refuse treatment, to privacy and confidentiality of medical records, and the right to die and live in dignity. This seminal document transformed the doctor-patient relationship by envisioning an active and meaningful partnership. It led to community-led changes in clinical trial designs and treatment strategies, and it led to “people first” language. Action is needed to sustain the legacy of engagement of community leaders and institutions:

Read the report here.

Read “HIV at an Inflection Point: A Renewed Political Commitment Is Needed” here.

Read “HIV at an Inflection Point: Looking Ahead and Leaving No One Behind” here.

Read the Big Ideas in Brief here.

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Visioning 2031 Participants:
Carlton Ray Smith, Baltimore, in memorial

Florence Anam – GNP+
Jacob Arman – The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation
Lauren Banks – National AIDS Housing Coalition
Solange Baptiste – ITPC Global
Edwin Bernard – HIV Justice Network
Michelle E. Bonds – CDC
Catherine Brown – The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation
Larry Bryant, Jr. – The Reunion Project
Barb Cardell – Positive Women’s Network
Juan Carmona – Orasure
Michael H. Chung – Emory University
Daniel Driffin – HIV Vaccine Trials Network
Douglas M. Brooks – University of Pennsylvania
Colleen Daniels – HRI Global
Rick Elion – Physician
Robyn Neblett Fanfair – CDC
Pamela Foster – University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa
Debra Fraser-Howze – Choose Healthy Life
Ramon Gardenhire – ViiV Healthcare
Jeff Graham – Georgia Equality
Shannon Hader – American University
Joan Hicks – The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation
Brian Honermann – amfAR
Vanessa Johnson – Ribbon Consulting
Venton Jones – Southern Black Policy and Advocacy Network
Charles King – Housing Works
Larry Lehman – PIHCGA
Stephen Lee – NASTAD
Ron MacInnis – ICASA
Gabriel Maldonado – TruEvolution
Chad Martin – CDC
Rebecca Martin – Emory University
Eugene McCray – AIDS United
Patrick McGovern – Callen-Lorde
Jonathan Mermin – CDC
Jesse Milan, Jr. – AIDS United
Marissa Miller – Trans Solutions
Johanne E Morne – NY Health Dept
LaRon Nelson – Yale Univesity
Ravi Perry – Howard University
Mike Podmore – Stop AIDS UK
Melanie Reese – Older Women Experiencing Life
Matthew Rose – Human Rights Campaign
Asia Russell – Health Gap
Vinay Saldanha – UNAIDS
Paul Schaper – Merck
Linda H. Scruggs- Ribbon
Anne Spaulding – Emory University
Robert Suttle – HIV is not a Crime Council of Justice Leaders
Ron Ticho – Choose Healthy Life
Darwin Thompson – Gilead Sciences
Sandra L. Thurman – Emory University
Hank Tomlinson – CDC
Danny Whitman – Broadway CARES/Equity Fights AIDS
José Zúñiga – IAPACWith special remarks from
James W Curran – Emory University
Larry Gostin – Georgetown University
Usha Ramakrishnan – Emory University
and actor, singer, poet Christopher Prince