HANC Embraces Southern Joy at USCHA 2024
September 12-15, 2024 | New Orleans, LA
At USCHA this year the theme was Southern Joy, and that joy was brought in spades, perhaps most abundantly by Big Freedia Queen Diva herself! The performances by Big Freedia and other artists from the South showcased the region’s abundant talent and highlighted that joy is itself a strength that can and will be used to end the epidemic.
Attendees witnessed the diversity, pride, uniqueness, and power of the South. We were reminded that it is essential to center and attend to the diverse needs of diverse communities. But we were also reminded that there is immense strength in diversity and power to be leveraged when the South stands as a whole. In communities and our different aspects of this HIV work, we can’t afford to be siloed.
Performances, speeches, and workshops throughout the conference carried this theme. They emphasized a syndemic approach to preventing and treating HIV and an intersectional approach to undoing the socio-structural factors that contribute to the HIV epidemic. Once such speech was by none other than Stacey Abrams, former Georgia State Representative! Her words delivered lessons on the power that individuals and the South as a whole have to instigate transformational change. And, she reminded us, HIV and health are political, so vote.
Exclusive Interviews with Key Southern Voices
"We are the source of promise, purpose, and power."
Stacey Abrams, Former Georgia State Representative and Civic Strategist
Photos from USCHA 2024

Big Southern Joy found at USCHA 2024

Left to right: HANC Director Russell Campbell, Rodney McCoy of Us Helping US, and Damon Jacobs, Licensed Family and Medical Therapist during their workshop "We Have Sex Too! Older Gay Men & Sexual Health."

Surprised and delighted by uplifting visits from Stacey Abrams, Former Georgia State Representative and Civic Strategist, and Franciso Ruiz, Director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy

Team HANC Represents!
