Date: Saturday, December 5th, 2015

    My name Is Eric Angel Molina, I am a 22 year old 2015 NMAC Youth scholar.

In honor of World AIDS Day 2015,  I am organizing a Panel Discussion focusing on how Homelessness Affects HIV/AIDS transmission. This sensitive topic address the impact of Homelessness and HIV transmission for LGBTQ youth and I need your support to make it possible! As we move closer toward ending the HIV Epidemic by 2020, any contribution is helpful.  

What can we do the help LGBTQ Youth in New York?

The event will consist of four panelists from diverse backgrounds and HIV statuses will share their personal perspectives on the untold truth of survival for HIV negative LGTBQ youth in New York.   They will share their authentic stories of how they confronted and challenged the struggle of homelessness in a large urban area.

Importance: HIV related stigma impacts many people, particularly LGTBQ youth [lesbian, gay, transgender, bi-sexual and queer] and often times goes unnoticed.   In New York City, there is a significant lack of support for LGBTQ homeless people that are HIV negative.  These situations leave a portion of young people left without access to vital resources, such as housing and employment; these living conditions leave youth feeling hopeless and desperate for help.   A consequence of this situation is an overlooked yet growing issue within the LGBTQ community - virus chasing,   (intentionally contracting HIV to obtain social services offered to people living with the virus).  

NMAC, formerly the National Minority AIDS Council, will educate, advocate, collaborate and compel – with urgency – for health equity within communities of color in our tireless quest to end the HIV epidemic. We aim to advance our mission through a variety of programs and services, including: capacity building, national and regional training conferences, treatment and research programs, publications, and a website: http://www.nmac.org/. NMAC also serves as an association of AIDS service organizations providing valuable information to communitybased organizations, hospitals, clinics and other groups assisting individuals and families affected by the AIDS epidemic.