Ready to get involved in our fight for Repro Justice? We need you! Learn what we've been up to the last month, and what's coming up over the summer.
Policy & Advocacy Program
June Newsletter
Greetings from all of us here at SisterLove. We hope you're having a great summer!
We wanted to share that the federal government is planning to make changes to §1557 - the Non-Discrimination Rules - of the Affordable Care Act. These changes would allow health care professionals to deny patients with care on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation as well as restrict access to abortion services.
Please join us on Facebook Live on July 24th as we discuss the possible effects of this rule and how you can make your voice heard.
Read below to see what else we've been up to and learn all the fun ways you can get involved with keeping up the fight for Reproductive Justice! Sign up for updates to learn more!
Upcoming SisterLove Events
Title X Update
This month a federal court ruled that the Trump Administration's proposed changes to Title X funding - referred to as the Domestic Gag Rule - may go into effect. These changes place healthcare providers at risk for losing critical federal support for sexual and reproductive health services if they discuss abortion services with their patients.
There are 4 million patients who receive care through Title X every year, and the gag rule directly threatens their access to affordable, basic health care.
This week the Administration announced that they will immediately begin enforcing these new regulations. Some healthcare providers, including Planned Parenthood, have announced that they will forgo Title X funding in order to continue providing comprehensive reproductive care.
You can read more about Title X and how to advocate against these changes here.
Healthy Love Youth Advocates
Registration is open NOW for our second Healthy Love Youth Advocacy Statewide Summit (HLYASS)! We're looking forward to welcoming everyone back to Savannah this August for a weekend of sexual health and reproductive justice advocacy.
HLYASS is the signature event of out Healthy Love Youth Advocacy (HLYA) program, where we help equip the next generation of leaders with the tools and knowledge they need to advocate for the health and wellness of their communities.
Registration is FREE for youth ages 16-25 through August 1st so register today!
Partner Updates
Fulton HIV/AIDS Advisory Committee Meeting
The next meeting of the Fulton HIV/AIDS Advisory Committee will be Thursday, August 1, from 6-7:45p at Southside Medical Center.
This meeting will be an "End the Epidemic" Community Session featuring special guest Dr. Tammy Beckham from the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health.
All1Family Back - 2 - School Backpack Giveaway
On Saturday, June 27thAll1Family is hosting their second annual Back To School Backpack Giveaway bringing together LGBTQ individuals, family members, and allies to celebrate and support LGBTQ families.
This year's sponsors include Atlanta Pride, Trans Gentlemen of Excellence, and LGBTQ Greek organizations. The event features food, games, face painting, a bouncy house, , entertainment, and prizes!
The Symposium will be held September 16th-17th at the Emory Conference Center. Learn more are register here.
Past Highlights
Blueprint for Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice
SisterLove, Inc. - in partnership with nearly 80 organizations - released a proactive policy agenda for a fully supportive Congress and Administration to advance sexual and reproductive health in the U.S. and around the world.
Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) Update
This week HIV and housing advocates sent a letter to the mayor's office expressing their lack of confidence in her office's ability to administer its federal HOPWA grant.
HOPWA is a federally funded program that makes grants to local communities, states, and nonprofit organizations for projects that benefit low-income persons living with HIV / AIDS and their families.
Over the past two years advocates have documented critical problems including poor housing quality, interruptions in housing services, lack of plan for HOPWA modernization, lack of transparency in the RFP process, and inconsistent monitoring and oversight of HOPWA subrecipients by program leaders.
If you're interested in learning more and getting involved in our HOPWA advocacy please email [email protected].
National HIV Testing Day - June 27th
Last month we recognized National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) with a Summer Time Week of Wellness and Testing and Community Resource Fair. SLI staff and volunteers provided community education, awareness, and free testing at more than 5 different events leading up to National HIV Testing Day and tested over 300 during the month of June. Great work!
Remember - if you'd like to receive free testing for HIV, Chlamydia, Hepatitis C, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis, and pregnancy please schedule your appointment today!
