April 10th is National Youth HIV and AIDS Awareness Day, also known as NYHAAD, a yearly observance by the CDC to promote sexual health programs within the United States. NYHAAD was proposed in 2013 through Advocates for Youth since approximately 19% of new HIV diagnoses are from individuals between the ages of 13 and 24 – which is also the age group least likely to get tested or be aware of their HIV status.
Advocates for Youth has its own site on resources and national events related to National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Check out their website from ambassador highlights to film screenings for in-depth resources on youth-focused sex education.
As many readers know, HIV also disproportionately affects LGBTQIA+ people – it was once referred to as the “gay plague” during its early years when thousands of queer people were being killed each year while government-funded research facilities pushed the harmful belief that HIV was a divine punishment ordained by God. All marginalized groups are at higher risk of contracting HIV, culminating from a lack of educated doctors, accessible testing, preventative medicine like PrEP and PEP, and public knowledge. Ultimately, this means that young queer people are at an exceptionally higher risk of HIV – especially transgender youth of color.
Despite heightened rates reported by the CDC, they also found that only 6% of high school students had ever been tested for HIV. Most people are never offered an HIV test when visiting a healthcare provider’s office – there’s often very little signage and educational material present advertising HIV prevention and its risk and even fewer offices discuss HIV with their patients unless they believe they’re a ‘high risk.’ Unfortunately, this process is based on stereotypes even among healthcare providers well-educated on HIV versus reality – so lots of folks fall through the cracks. The CDC recommends all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, age, class, race, ethnicity, or background, be tested for HIV at least once in their life. Certain people are advised to be tested regularly based on their sexual activity – as a general note, the CDC says the following people should be tested for HIV at least once per year:
- Men who have had sex with other men.*
- Individuals who have had anal or vaginal sex with someone who is living with HIV.
- Individuals who have had sex with more than one partner since their last HIV test.
- Drug users who share injection equipment, like needles, syringes, and cookers.
- Individuals who have had sex for money, drugs, or housing.
- Individuals who have been diagnosed with another STD/STI, hepatitis, or tuberculosis.
- Anyone who has had sex with someone who has done one of the above things or you’re unsure about their sexual history.
In February 2025, the Trump administration tried to remove mentions of LGBTQIA+ people from official government websites – including the CDC. Federal courts have rebuked this decision as purposeful misinformation of scientific research and forced the administration to restore previous web pages, although they have altered some of the sites and added a political anti-science disclaimer stating the agency denounces transgender people alongside the Trump administration.
All governmental information and research regarding HIV was targeted by this purge – I’m unsure whether the first statement was present before the restoration since it’s not aligned with current HIV advocacy and data. Most organizations disagree with blanket stereotypes for HIV and testing based on sexuality, instead pushing for non-discriminatory testing requirements based on sexual activity. This can be seen in the change in the Red Cross’s policies allowing queer men to finally donate blood after decades of permanently banning them for “having had sex with men” since data shows such practices do not effectively reduce HIV risk during blood donation.
HIV 101: The Basics
In today’s world, most people have a basic understanding that HIV exists, that it’s an STD, and it disproportionately targets queer men. Other than that, knowledge varies drastically since HIV isn’t covered in many public school sexual education programs (and several states don’t have sex ed) and most healthcare providers do not bring up HIV unless they believe they have enough reason to do so.
As mentioned earlier, anyone can be affected by HIV – the virus doesn’t discriminate based on sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, age, class, education, religion, neighborhood, etc. There is no singular way to ‘tell’ if someone has HIV other than getting tested: most people don’t experience symptoms until HIV has developed into AIDS years later. Lastly, HIV won’t kill you – while living with HIV will greatly change your life, people live long, happy, and fulfilling lives with HIV when taking prescribed medication to treat the virus.
Want to learn more about HIV? Read this post here or check out one of the sources below.
How do we prevent HIV among young people?
Education is crucial. Teaching youth about HIV and safe sex is the first step in reducing the spread of STDs, including HIV. Despite this reality, many schools, politicians, and religious figures argue that comprehensive sex education encourages young people to have sex. This is fallacious – data shows that folks will have sex regardless, but it is possible to reduce STDs and unplanned pregnancies by giving them the tools to have safe and healthy relationships.
Accessibility is just as important. Most people know what they ought to do, whether it’s safe sex or recycling plastic. However, they’re unlikely to do it unless it is convenient – it’s human nature. Convenient testing is offered at regular healthcare visits, community centers, and even social events like local drag shows and pride events. Some organizations offer incentives for testing like free entry to an event, gift cards, vouchers, or coupons to engage folks in testing when they may otherwise be too hesitant. Making condoms free and easy to access discreetly without shame encourages people to practice safe sex. Preventative medicines like PrEP and PEP are most impactful when folks have access to those medicines when they need them – whether it’s by visiting a local pharmacy or getting it mailed directly to their house.
Where do I get tested for HIV?
You can only get treatment for HIV if you’ve tested positive, which requires you to get tested in the first place – so seeking testing is the first step to protecting your health. The earlier someone gets diagnosed, the sooner they can access life-saving treatments to manage their HIV.
Greater Than (linked above) is one of the largest public health campaigns in the United States that provides detailed resources in partnership with the CDC. Click above to be redirected to their website, which locates HIV testing, PrEP providers, and support services locally by zip code. Greater Than also connects individuals to health insurance information to educate users on state laws dictating coverage.
IRL testing isn’t for everyone – that’s why the CDC also sponsors the Together TakeMeHome program to ship free HIV tests directly to homes throughout the United States. These tests are done via an oral swab with saliva to give results within 20 minutes, and the program provides two free tests to individuals every 90 days. Together TakeMeHome has been providing free tests since early 2023, so click the button below to learn more about how to use their services.
Together TakeMeHome is currently operating, although it can only do so through government funding. Due to the current political climate and attacks by the Trump administration on other HIV programs, it’s not impossible to consider the possibility that the program could be shut down in the future. Most LGBTQIA+ community centers also provide HIV testing for free, and many cities offer similar programs to Together TakeMeHome with mail programs to increase HIV testing in their area.
Know Your Rights: Young People, HIV, and the Law
In the United States, all individuals with HIV are protected by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which is enforced by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Office for Civil Rights. These laws prohibit any anti-HIV discrimination by healthcare and human services agencies that receive federal funding, as well as any discrimination by state or local governments – including services, activities, or programs provided by state or local governments. Anyone can file a report with the Office for Civil Rights online or by mail.
In all US states, minors have the right to consent to HIV and STD testing and treatment without a guardian’s permission. Generally, youth have the right to get tested (and receive HIV medication) without telling their parents. However, these laws vary on whether you have the right to access preventative services like PrEP without parental consent. There are no state or federal laws that explicitly prohibit minors from accessing PrEP, but you should search for laws specific to your state for details.
Many states don’t have health confidentiality protections for minors, so it’s extremely likely for your guardian to find your status if you get tested at your primary provider – especially if your doctor bills your family’s insurance company for the test. For this reason, many LGBTQIA+ community centers provide free confidential HIV testing to encourage youth to get tested without fear that their authority figures will discover they got tested.
While many US states and territories require you to disclose your HIV status, you’re only required to disclose it to certain people. At the time of this article, thirteen states require you to disclose your status to potential sexual partners, while four require disclosure to anyone you share a needle with.
Depending on the state, failure to disclose status can lead to life in prison. You do not have to disclose to anyone else – including your family or friends. While most American employers have the right to ask about your health in certain fields, you don’t have to disclose it to your workplace in most cases. The Americans with Disabilities Act protects you from anti-HIV discrimination – which means hiring managers can’t ask you about your health and companies have to make reasonable adjustments as needed. These protections also apply within education, so you’re not required to disclose your HIV status to anyone at school unless you reside in a state requiring disclosure for potential sexual partners or needle sharing.
The Fair Housing Act makes anti-HIV discrimination in US renting and housing entirely illegal. No one can be legally denied housing, harassed, or evicted due to HIV status.
Also at the time of this article, people living with HIV cannot be denied healthcare in the United States. Healthcare insurance must cover pre-existing conditions like HIV and cannot cancel your policy because of a new diagnosis. The Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare) prohibits such discrimination within healthcare, and HIV medications, lab tests, and counseling have to be covered.
Hotlines & Resources
AIDS Drug Assistance Program@ adap.directory / Patient-centric project that provides HIV-related services and prescription medication to hundreds of thousands of people in the United States by linking individuals with their local state or territory agency.
AIDS Healthcare Foundation @ aidshealth.org / 323-860-5200 / International nonprofit based in Los Angeles that operates a network of HIV services in over 40 countries across Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team @ apaitssg.org / Grassroots AIDS service organization centered on Asian and Pacific Islanders with HIV, based in the United States.
Bienestar Human Services @ bienestar.org / US community-based social services organization that caters to Latino Americans living with HIV, especially LGBTQIA+ Latino Americans.
Black AIDS Institute @ blackaids.org / Think tank that aims to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Black American community through awareness messaging, information, and robust programs.
CDC-INFO @ cdc.gov / 800-232-4626 / Live support to help Americans find the latest and reliable science-based health information, including CDC guidance and resources.
Global Network of People Living with HIV @ gnpplus.net / Network operated by people living with HIV for people living with HIV, regardless of geographic location.
HIV/AIDS/Hepatitis C Nightline / 800-273-2437 / US hotline providing support for people living with HIV or Hepatitis C as well as their caregivers.
HIV. GOV @ hiv.gov / Offers information about HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and resources for anyone in the United States.
HIV.GOV Service Locator @ locator.hiv.gov / Location-based search tool managed by the United States Department of Health and Human Services to allow anyone to find local HIV testing services, housing providers, health centers, PrEP, PEP, and other related needs.
HIV Management Warmline / 800-933-3413 / Non-emergency telephone service for questions about HIV, antiretroviral therapy, HIV clinical trials, and laboratory evaluation in the United States.
International AIDS Society @ iasociety.org / Research-based organization that develops holistic approaches to HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention.
International Planned Parenthood Federation @ ippf.org / 202-987-9364 / Global healthcare provider that has been a leader in sexual and reproductive health for all since 1952.
Latino Commission on AIDS @ latinoaids.org / Nonprofit organization in response to the critical unmet need for HIV prevention, treatment, and education in the Latino community in the United States.
LGBT National Help Center @ lgbthotline.org / 888-843-4564 / Free and confidential peer support, information, and local resources where volunteers help connect you to other groups and services in the US. Also maintains a coming out hotline, youth talkline, and senior hotline.
National AIDS Hotline / 800-243-2437 / Federal hotline to refer the general American public to relevant state and local resources.
National AIDS Treatment Advocacy Project @ natap.org / 212-219-0106 / Nonprofit corporation in the United States that educates individuals on HIV treatments on the local, national, and international levels.
National Clinician Consultation Center @ nccc.ucsf.edu / 833-622-2463 / Teleconsultation resource that educates US healthcare providers with information and answers on HIV and Hepatitis C.
National Minority AIDS Council @ nmac.org / Advocacy nonprofit that provides training and resources catered to marginalized communities in the United States.
National Native HIV Network @ nnhn.org / Indigenous-led network that mobilizes American Indians, Indigenous Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians towards community action.
NIH Office of AIDS Research @ hivinfo.nih.gov / 800-448-0440 / Confidential answers to questions on HIV/AIDS clinical trials and treatment in the United States.
PEPline / 888-448-4911 / Hotline for individuals interested in information about PEP, especially those who have been possibly exposed to HIV while on the job in the United States.
Perinatal HIV Hotline / 888-448-8765 / Resource hotline available 24/7 in the United States for pregnant people living with HIV to find answers and tools.
Positively Trans @ transgenderlawcenter.org / Program through the Transgender Law Center to support transgender people living with HIV in the United States.
Positive Women’s Network @ pwn-usa.org / Advocacy and resource organization for women living with HIV.
PrEPline / 855-448-7737 / Hotline about how to start, continue, or manage use of PrEP for HIV within the US.
Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program @ ryanwhite.hrsa.gov / National services and resources for low-income individuals living with HIV in the US.
TheBody.com Hotline @ thebody.com / News site based in New York that centers on publishing HIV-related information.
The Trevor Project @ thetrevorproject.org / 866-488-7386 / The leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization centered on LGBTQIA+ young people in the United States. Offers 24/7/365 information and support to those ages 13 to 24 with trained counselors via call, text, or instant message.
The Well Project @ thewellproject.org / United States nonprofit that primarily supports women and girls living with HIV/AIDS.
Trans Lifeline @ translifeline.org / 877-565-8860 / Transgender-centered crisis organization that does not use involuntary intervention/forced hospitalization to provide support to transgender people through fully anonymous and confidential calls within the United States and Canada.
UNAIDS @ unaids.org / 41-22-595-59-92 / International agency that seeks to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 and has operated since 1996 to assist the United Nations in combating HIV and AIDS.