The mayor listened and took action by including $100k in last year’s budget towards efforts to address HIV. A significant first for the city who has traditionally relied on the county, state, and federal governments for any HIV resources. This budget addition was done as a tangible demonstration that the city has a responsibility and role to play in the health of its residents too.
Councilman Antonio Brown, the youngest member of the council, introduced a cooperative agreement between Fulton County and the city that will support the expansion of PrEP access in Atlanta by hiring two part-time nurse practitioners that will support ongoing county efforts to link more people to PrEP and other preventive health services. Represented by LGBTQ Liaison Malik Brown and supported by LGBTQ taskforce member Emily Halden Brown, the administration demonstrated a commitment to uphold previous promises by the Mayor to do more about HIV.
This plan was unanimously approved by the council members who serve on the Human Services and Community Development Committee of Atlanta. This action supports the PrEP bill that was signed into state law in April 2019. This means more access and more choices. This means a closer step towards the end of an epidemic that disproportionately impacts Black people.
This is what can happen when we trust each other. When we work collaboratively and we bring more of ourselves to the service of others. When we trust the leadership of Black women, LGBTQ folk, young people, and the wisdom of elders. And when elected officials are comfortable in not having all of the answers and are willing to ask the people for help.
Let’s keep this same energy! This momentum is needed to address the current and future challenges for housing programs for low income people living with HIV in Atlanta. We are shaping our history and our future all at once and the people are depending on us to listen to them and work with them to build greater trust and greater equity.
