World AIDS Day is an opportunity to remember those we’ve lost to HIV/AIDS and recommit ourselves to fighting to end the epidemic. Georgia Equality is proud to mark World AIDS Day by highlighting the work of our Youth HIV Policy Advisors (YHPA).

These future leaders were trained to guide policy around HIV and AIDS, and served as unofficial policy advisors to elected officials. This year, our fourth YHPA cohort:

• Participated in registering people to vote and other GOTV efforts
• Led trainings on HIV basics for their peers and other youth programs
• Created a policy brief for elected officials on HIV criminalization
• Trained to become HIV testers and counselors

Several members of the cohort have become leaders on community advisory boards, including the Youth Advisory Board for Atlanta Harm Reduction Coalition and the Youth Community Advisory Board for Grady IDP. We’re proud of the work of our YHPA leaders. Spend a few minutes today listening to the voices of this year’s YHPA cohort discuss HIV criminalization.