Dear Members,

This has been a difficult few days for our nation. I am writing in solidarity with many in the public health community who have condemned President Trump’s response to the tragedy in Charlottesville. Neo-Nazis and white supremacists have no place in our country. Their bigotry and hatred for people of color, immigrants, Jews, the LGBT community, and others are antithetical to our national values and must be condemned as such.

We know that health inequity and social determinants of poor health outcomes are fueled by racism, homophobia, and gender discrimination. To end HIV and reduce other STDs, we must confront these social justice issues. Although the events of the past few days may feel overwhelming, we must not give in to despair when there are actions we all can take to make a difference!

NCSD stands with you, and I thank you for the vital work you do every day.  As one among many ways to take action against stigma and discrimination, a resource you may find helpful is Addressing Stigma: A Blueprint for Improving HIV/STD Prevention and Care Outcomes for Black and Latino Gay Men — a toolkit we developed with NASTAD. I hope you can put this resource to work to make a difference for those in need in your community.

Sincerely,

David C. Harvey

Executive Director