The fight against HIV has seen remarkable progress over the years, yet significant gaps remain, particularly for marginalized communities. One organization, Global Black Gay Men Connect (GBGMC), is stepping up to address these disparities with their latest report, Making Rights a Reality: GBGMC’s Roadmap 2024. This comprehensive document sheds light on critical issues and proposes strategic solutions to enhance HIV prevention efforts and protect the rights of gay men and other key populations.

Understanding the importance of this report is crucial for anyone invested in the well-being of the LGBTQI+ community. By diving into the details, we can better grasp the challenges and opportunities ahead. The report’s emphasis on community-led initiatives, equitable access to HIV prevention technologies, and the protection of human rights underscores a pathway toward sustainable health security.

In this article, we’ll explore the key points from GBGMC’s report, highlighting the urgent need for community-driven approaches, the critical role of key populations in HIV prevention, and the indispensable connection between human rights and health security. Let’s delve into the insights and solutions presented and understand how they pave the way for a brighter, healthier future.

No Sustainability Without Survival

One of the report’s primary messages is clear: there can be no sustainability in HIV prevention without ensuring the survival of key populations. Despite advances in HIV treatment and prevention, marginalized groups such as African gay men and men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to face significant barriers. These communities are less likely to know their HIV status, receive treatment, or achieve viral suppression. The report stresses that without prioritizing the needs of these populations, achieving global HIV targets remains a distant dream.

The data underscores the urgency of this message. Even in countries nearing the 95-95-95 targets (95% of people living with HIV knowing their status, 95% of those diagnosed on treatment, and 95% of those on treatment achieving viral suppression), key populations lag far behind. The report calls for quantifying, clarifying, and resourcing key population engagement in sustainability planning processes to ensure these communities are not left behind.

Key Populations Supporting Prevention Developers

Another critical insight from the report is the role of key populations in supporting HIV prevention product developers. While collaborations between these communities and product developers are essential, the report highlights a significant imbalance. Key populations often provide valuable insights and data to developers without receiving the necessary resources to implement effective prevention strategies within their communities.

Long-acting injectable PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a game-changing technology for HIV prevention. However, equitable access to this technology remains a challenge. The report emphasizes the need for sustained investment in community-led prevention work to ensure that key populations can access and benefit from such advancements. This includes funding for developing appropriate educational materials, convening at-risk community members, and organizing follow-up activities.

No Rights for Key Populations, No Health Security for Anyone

The report draws a powerful connection between the protection of human rights and health security. It argues that safeguarding the rights of key populations is crucial not only for their health but for the broader public health landscape. When communities trust and have access to health services, they can respond more effectively to health crises, whether they be HIV, mpox, or other diseases.

Human rights violations against key populations, such as criminalization and discrimination, create significant barriers to health services. The report calls for the decriminalization of same-sex relationships and drug use, as well as the implementation of policies that protect the rights of key populations. By doing so, we can create an environment where these communities can thrive and contribute to global health security.

Community-Led Initiatives: The Path Forward

GBGMC’s report underscores the importance of community-led initiatives in HIV prevention. These initiatives are vital for ensuring that prevention efforts are tailored to the specific needs of key populations. Community-based organizations have the trust and understanding needed to reach marginalized groups effectively. The report calls for increased funding and support for these organizations, enabling them to lead the charge in HIV prevention and advocacy.

Quantifying and Resourcing Engagement

One of the report’s key recommendations is the need to quantify and resource the engagement of key populations in sustainability planning. This means ensuring that individuals with diverse lived experiences are adequately represented on advisory bodies and technical working groups. The report highlights the importance of defining “meaningful engagement” and providing the necessary resources for communities to participate effectively in these processes.

Prioritizing Decriminalization and Changing Social Norms

To achieve sustainability in HIV prevention, the report calls for prioritizing decriminalization and changing social norms. Anti-LGBTQI+ campaigns and misinformation are closely tied to resistance against public health measures. By addressing these issues head-on and advocating for the decriminalization of same-sex relationships and drug use, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for key populations.

Funding Cuts: A Major Barrier

The report highlights a significant challenge in HIV prevention: funding cuts. Over the past decade, support for global HIV response from funders other than PEPFAR and the Global Fund has declined by 60%. Key populations disproportionately bear the brunt of these funding shortfalls. The report calls for reversing these cuts and ensuring that funding for key population programs is preserved and expanded.

Human Rights and Health Security: An Inextricable Link

The connection between human rights and health security is a central theme of the report. Protecting the rights of key populations is not just a moral imperative but a public health necessity. When communities fear health services due to discrimination and criminalization, they are less likely to seek care, leading to unreported outbreaks and delayed responses to health crises.

The Role of Key Population Groups in Pandemic Preparedness

The report also addresses the role of key populations in pandemic preparedness. These communities are often disproportionately impacted by health crises, making their inclusion in planning and strategy development crucial. The report calls for the meaningful participation of HIV and LGBTQI+ key populations in all pandemic preparedness platforms, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs addressed.

Your Voice Matters

As we navigate the complex landscape of HIV prevention and human rights, it is essential to remember that every voice matters. GBGMC’s report provides a roadmap for creating a more inclusive and effective HIV response, but it requires collective action and engagement. By supporting community-led initiatives, advocating for the rights of key populations, and ensuring equitable access to prevention technolog ies, we can make a significant impact.

We invite you to share your thoughts, ideas, and experiences. How can we better support key populations in HIV prevention? What changes are needed to ensure their rights are protected? Your input is invaluable as we work together to make rights a reality.