Contact

Kay Marshall, +1 (347) 249-6375, [email protected]

May 31, 2023 — AVAC strongly condemns Uganda’s new Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2023 that President Yoweri Museveni signed into law and stands in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community in Uganda.

“This newly signed legislation expands on a previous attempt to legislate hate and oppression of the LGBTQIA+ community in Uganda nearly a decade ago,” said Angelo Kaggwa-Katumba, Senior Program Manager at AVAC. “As LGBTQIA+ people and allies, AVAC and our partners have been tireless in our work to change attitudes and policy – in Uganda and around the world – because we’ve seen the direct link between criminalization and stigma and the devastating impact both have on HIV incidence. This new law is a direct violation of the health, rights and humanity of the LGBTQIA+ community, and will undermine and reverse Uganda’s progress in HIV prevention, destroying community wellbeing and taking lives along the way.”

The new law increases penalties for consensual sex among same-sex individuals, provisions that Uganda has had on the books as anti-sodomy laws from the British colonial era. It also criminalizes advocacy that supports LGBTQIA+ Ugandan rights, and could even bring death sentences, for so-called “aggravated homosexuality,” a clause that can be applied to people living with HIV, intensifying stigma and a cascade of other harms. Such provisions drive people underground, discouraging the most vulnerable populations from seeking testing, treatment and prevention, and they will setback the fight against HIV.

Advocates have pledged to challenge the constitutionality of the law before the courts, as detailed in this statement from Convening for Equality (CFE), a Ugandan LGBTQIA+ community-led Coalition working alongside a broad range of national and international partners. In addition, leaders of the Global Fund, UNAIDS and PEPFAR have also issued a Joint Statement by the Leaders of the Global Fund, UNAIDS and PEPFAR on Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023, stating their “deep concern about the harmful impact” of the law “on the health of its citizens and its impact on the AIDS response that has been successful up to now.”

“We must come together and make our voices resoundingly clear: we must stand as one, united in our determination to dismantle this oppressive regime of intolerance,” said Richard Lusimbo, a Co-Convener of CFE, Director General of the Uganda Key Populations Consortium (UKPC), and long-time AVAC partner. “Today, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment, declaring that we will not rest until the shackles of this dangerous law are broken. We will tirelessly strive until equality and justice prevail over discrimination and hate. Let this be the rallying cry igniting change, fueling our collective efforts to create a future where everyone is celebrated for their uniqueness and embraced unconditionally.”

Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act is one of the world’s most extreme anti-gay laws, in a period when several other countries, including the US, are seeing an increasing number of anti-LGBTQIA+ laws proposed.

“This law is part of a global increase in extremism focused on moralizing behavior related to sexual and reproductive health that could set back decades of progress in building community-focused health services,” said Mitchell Warren, AVAC executive director. “The now signed anti-gay bill in Uganda is the latest in a wave of anti-LGBTQIA+ actions in several countries, from arrests in Zambia to a backlash in Kenya, to anti-trans laws in several US states and elsewhere, all of which threaten lives and livelihoods, and our ability to connect key populations with the resources they need and deserve to prevent and treat HIV and to live their fullest lives. If this were happening in any one country, it would be alarming, but the fact that it’s happening in multiple countries, in multiple parts of the world, is downright chilling.”

“Global, regional, national and local leaders must stand up and fight back against these heinous laws. If we don’t deal with the fundamental reality of stigma, discrimination and criminalization, we will never end any epidemic. We stand in solidarity with all allies and partners committed to turning the tide from hate and fear to global health equity for all,” Warren added.

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About AVAC: AVAC is an international non-profit organization that leverages its independent voice and global partnerships to accelerate ethical development and equitable delivery of effective HIV prevention options, as part of a comprehensive and integrated pathway to global health equity. Follow AVAC on Twitter @HIVpxresearch; find more at www.avac.org and www.prepwatch.org.

Contact

Kay Marshall, +1 (347) 249-6375, [email protected]

New York, April 10, 2023 – As a global organization dedicated to health as a human right, to social justice, and to individual autonomy and choice, AVAC strongly condemns the decision by a federal judge in Texas who issued an unprecedented preliminary injunction that suspends the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of mifepristone, a safe and effective abortion medication approved more than 20 years ago. If this decision is allowed to stand, it will restrict access to the most widely used method of abortion and undermine the FDA’s authority on drug regulation generally.

A counter ruling issued shortly after the Texas decision by a judge in Washington state called for the FDA to maintain access to mifepristone. It is unclear how these competing rulings will play out, but it is assumed this will force the issue to the Supreme Court where it is uncertain how a conservative majority may rule.

“The Texas decision throws open the door to reversals of other drug approvals based on one individuals’ personal or political beliefs rather than science and evidence. It’s yet another blow in a campaign to roll back bodily autonomy and human rights and cannot be allowed to stand,” said Mitchell Warren, AVAC’s executive director. “In solidarity, we stand with the millions of individuals and families who will be affected by this highly political decision, and we stand with science and medical evidence, which is increasingly under attack in the US.”

More than 20 years ago, the FDA reviewed the scientific evidence and approved mifepristone for medication abortion as a safe and effective product. In the intervening time, a tremendous amount of additional evidence has been added to the safety and efficacy profile of the drug, and its effective use outside of a clinic setting.

“The FDA’s job is to evaluate reams of scientific evidence and conduct unbiased, stringent review of new drugs and devices.” said Suraj Madoori, AVAC’s director of policy advocacy. “Friday’s ruling would take decision-making out of the hands of experts and put it into the hands of misguided activist judges, endangering access to other FDA-approved medications. AVAC is especially concerned about implications for access to contraception, treatments used by transgender individuals and HIV prevention drugs.”

“The FDA is recognized as the global leader in stringent, objective review of drugs and devices. Today’s ruling not only endangers public health and access to safe, effective medication, it jeopardizes our national standing and well-earned respect for our regulatory body,” said Madoori.

AVAC calls on the Biden Administration to take immediate action to safeguard access to mifepristone and to the sanctity and credibility of the nation’s drug approval process. AVAC also calls for appellate courts and the Supreme Court to uphold the FDA’s jurisdiction over drug regulation.

“This decision cannot be allowed to stand. AVAC commits to working with our partners and allies to ensure that the right to access evidence-based medical care is not infringed and that the right to abortion, and reproductive rights overall, are protected for all,” Warren added.

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About AVAC: Founded in 1995, AVAC is a non-profit organization that uses education, policy analysis, advocacy and a network of global collaborations to accelerate ethical development of and global access to HIV prevention options as part of a comprehensive and integrated pathway to global health equity. Follow AVAC on Twitter @HIVpxresearch and find more at www.avac.org and www.prepwatch.org.

Media Inquiries: Jeremiah Johnson- [email protected]J; Kyra Sanborn- [email protected]; Kay Marshall- [email protected]

Thursday, April 6th, 2023, New York, NY— Hundreds of HIV prevention advocates nationwide convened on Tuesday to discuss the implications of Judge Reed O’Connor’s ruling in the Texas Braidwood v. Becerra case that could impact access to PrEP and other preventive health interventions for millions of Americans. The ruling states private insurers are no longer required to cover certain preventive care services under the Affordable Care Act, including PrEP.

Advocates called on public and private insurers to maintain coverage to prevent HIV and other conditions no matter the ultimate outcome of the case. Experts from Lambda Legal, the Center for HIV Law and Policy, and the Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation provided preliminary analyses and shared their thoughts on strategies moving forward, including steps in the appeal process. Attendees vowed to take action to raise awareness of this threat to PrEP access, connect with other affected healthcare communities, and get organized for what will likely be a prolonged process to try and undermine preventive health services.

Thirteen leading advocacy organizations sponsored the convening, including the speakers’ organizations, PrEP4All, the PrEP in Black America Coalition, AVAC, HIVMA, NASTAD, Public Citizen, My Brother’s Keeper, Inc, the International Community of Women living with HIV in North America, NMAC, and AIDS Action Baltimore.

“We need to turn the fear, anger, and sadness of this decision into informed action,” explained PrEP4All Executive Director Jeremiah Johnson. “It is heartbreaking to see basic healthcare needs in our communities being litigated once again, and even worse to see PrEP–an essential and powerful HIV prevention tool–uniquely singled out in a twisted attempt to undermine a huge array of preventive healthcare in our nation, including cancer screenings, diabetes screenings, and key medications intended to prevent complications from cardiovascular disease.”

“We are grateful to the Biden Administration for quickly appealing this irresponsible decision by Judge O’Connor,” added Leisha McKinley-Beach, Founder and CEO of the Black Public Health Academy, and co-facilitator for the event. “In case anyone needed more evidence of the clear and pressing need for a National PrEP Program, this case spotlights the extraordinary vulnerability of PrEP access for those who most need it.”

Attendees shared ideas and resources regarding short, medium, and long-term advocacy strategies. Registrations for the town hall ballooned to over 500, reflecting intense concern from HIV advocates across the nation.

“It’s important to let individuals using PrEP know there is no reason to panic at this time. As of now, coverage has not changed, and we believe it is unlikely that insurance plans will stop covering preventive health services mid-year. The Affordable Care Act has survived attacks on it before, but we also can’t take such a threat lightly. We will fight to ensure it endures for our communities,” said Jose Abrigo, HIV Project Director of Lambda Legal.

“We are angry and frustrated by this decision, but we are not powerless,” said Elizabeth Kaplan, Director of Health Care Access for the Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation. “We have an opportunity to come together with partners and stakeholders both within and beyond the HIV advocacy community to ensure life-saving preventive services including PrEP are accessible and affordable for all who need them.”

Recent analysis out of Yale and Harvard has found that for every 10% decline in PrEP coverage caused by the ruling, HIV infections will increase by over 1,140 per year among gay and bisexual men. With lifetime HIV costs estimated by CDC to be $501,000 per each new infection, such an outcome would likely contribute significantly to out-of-control healthcare expenses in the US.

“This decision is the Right’s latest move in their long-term strategy to quell our intersectional movements for justice. Enemies of trans and queer rights, access to healthcare, sexual health literacy, and reproductive justice have been playing a long game and our basic rights are constantly under attack,” said S. Mandisa Moore-O’Neal, Executive Director at the Center for HIV Law and Policy. “But we will be ready and we will not give up. As the litigation unfolds, now is the moment for us to fortify our strategies for continued access, including legislative avenues and engaging invested policymakers.”

“This ruling expands on last year’s shocking decision on PrEP and religious freedom and further undermines the right to health for an even larger group of Americans. It is the latest blow in a campaign to roll back bodily autonomy and human rights for a wide swathe of the population and will degrade the quality of life for all Americans by denying life-saving preventive care,” said Mitchell Warren, AVAC’s Executive Director.

Contact

Kay Marshall, +1 (347) 249-6375, [email protected]

March 24, 2023 — A new ruling by a US federal judge in Texas strikes down a provision of the Affordable Care Act that required insurance coverage of many preventive services, including HIV testing and the prevention drugs use for Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and doubles down on the judge’s previous ruling in a separate case that PrEP provision violates some individuals’ religious freedom. The current ruling will not only affect HIV prevention services, but endangers access to contraception, vaccinations, routine health screenings and a wide range of prevention services.

“This ruling expands on last year’s shocking decision on PrEP and religious freedom and further undermines the right to health for an even larger group of Americans. It is the latest blow in a campaign to roll back bodily autonomy and human rights for a wide swathe of the population and will degrade the quality of life for all Americans by denying life-saving preventive care,” said Mitchell Warren, AVAC’s executive director.

“At a time when science has given us the tools to advance towards the end of the HIV epidemic and rational evidence-based public health policies and programs can implement those tools to save millions of lives around the world, one judge’s continued biased and discriminatory decisions endanger programs and lives far beyond northern Texas,” Warren added. “As advocates, activists and citizens, we at AVAC stand in solidarity with all those whom this decision affects. We firmly believe that the ruling must be called out as a dangerous infringement of the rights of individuals to determine their own healthcare needs with their healthcare providers and that every effort must be made to ensure that it does not stand.”

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About AVAC: Founded in 1995, AVAC is a non-profit organization that uses education, policy analysis, advocacy and a network of global collaborations to accelerate the ethical development and global delivery of HIV prevention options as part of a comprehensive response to the pandemic. Follow AVAC on Twitter @HIVpxresearch and find more at www.avac.org and www.prepwatch.org.

Contact

Kay Marshall, +1 (347) 249-6375, [email protected]

March 24, 2023 — This week, Ugandan Parliament took steps toward implementing an anti-gay policy change that would further criminalize and endanger the lives of LGBTQIA+ people. AVAC condemns the proposed legislation and stands in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community in Uganda who face threats to their lives, draconian prison terms, and even the prospect of death sentences if this legislation goes forward.

“This new legislation is a direct violation of the health, rights and humanity of the LGBTQIA+ community, and we urge President Yoweri Museveni not to sign it into law,” said Angelo Kaggwa-Katumba, Senior Program Manager at AVAC. “As LGBTQIA+ people and allies, we’ve been tireless in our work to change attitudes and policy – in Uganda and around the world – because we’ve seen the direct link between criminalization and stigma and the devastating impact both have on HIV incidence. This new legislation duplicates and expands on a previous attempt to legislate hate and oppression of the LGBTQIA+ community in Uganda nearly a decade ago. That legislation was overturned by the Constitutional Court, and we hope to see justice upheld again.”

This “Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023”, passed earlier this week by the Uganda Parliament, makes it a crime to even identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer, and gives authorities sweeping power to crackdown on any form of LGBTQIA+ advocacy. This new bill, criminalizing same-sex relations between consenting adults, is a harsher revision to Uganda’s 2014 Homosexuality Act, which outlawed the “promotion of homosexuality,” but was struck down. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni now has a 30-day window to either approve the bill, return it to Parliament for reevaluation, or veto it – or, by not acting, the bill will be considered approved.

“We are seeing a tsunami of discrimination and oppression of basic human rights around the world right now,” said Mitchell Warren, AVAC executive director. “The proposed anti-gay bill in Uganda is the latest in a wave of anti-LGBTQIA+ actions in several countries, from arrests in Zambia to a backlash in Kenya, to anti-trans laws in several US states and elsewhere, all of which threaten lives and livelihoods, and our ability to connect key populations with the resources they need and deserve to prevent and treat HIV and to live their fullest lives. If we don’t deal with the fundamental reality of stigma, discrimination and criminalization, we will never end the epidemic.”

In Zambia, police arrested leaders of an approved demonstration condemning violence against women in observance of International Women’s Day. Authorities claimed the protest was promoting LGBTQIA+ rights. Same-sex sexual acts have been prohibited under Zambia law since the British colonial period. In Kenya, a February decision by its Supreme Court to bar discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation when it comes to registering LGBTQIA+ organizations has been followed by intense homophobic backlash. The uproar comes as a high court decision that criminalized same sex relationships is being appealed. The US is similarly swept up in a period of terrorizing legislation dismantling the rights of gender diverse populations and threatening their well being. Overall, 2023 has seen a record number of bills in states across the US that target LGBTQIA+ people.

“We stand ready to support the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies in every way that will not only help them survive this moment, but overcome these challenges to turn the tide from hate and fear to global health equity for all,” Warren added.

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About AVAC: Founded in 1995, AVAC is a non-profit organization that uses education, policy analysis, advocacy and a network of global collaborations to accelerate the ethical development and global delivery of HIV prevention options as part of a comprehensive response to the pandemic. Follow AVAC on Twitter @HIVpxresearch and find more at www.avac.org and www.prepwatch.org.