Young People Organizing: Leading the Fight for HIV Prevention Justice

February 4, 2009

When we look at the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the U.S and around the world, it becomes clear that young people between the ages of 13 and 30 are disproportionately infected and affected. Despite their vulnerability to HIV infection, cultural and political denial of young people's sexuality and other factors that put them at risk means their needs are often overlooked when national and local prevention strategies are designed and implemented.

What are the critical issues facing the most at risk young members of our communities - LGBTQ young people, young people of color, homeless, runaway and fostered kids and those living in poverty? And how are we or aren't we responding to their needs?

What do our life experiences and policy recommendations tell us about effective mechanisms to encourage and sustain youth-led organizing? How can we make our HIV prevention advocacy more accessible, relevant and have more impact for young people?


Johnny Guaylupo - Youth Action Institute & Housing Works




Desiree Marshall - FIERCE!




Tony Ray - Bronx AIDS Services




Kathleen Adams - Advocates For Youth




The February Community Forum was held at the LGBT Community Center, and other co-sponsors included Advocates for Youth, Bronx AIDS Services, Community Education Group, Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies (FPWA), FIERCE!, Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC), Global Youth Coalition on AIDS (GYCA), Harlem United, HIV Law Project, Housing Works, Manhattan HIV/AIDS Care Network, New York City AIDS Housing Network (NYCAHN), Queers for Economic Justice, and the Sylvia Rivera Law Project.