Chicago House Presents: Part 2 - the Intersection of COVID-19, the HIV Epidemic, and LGBTQ+ Marginalization: Reflections, Lessons, and Next Steps

CHICAGO, IL – The COVID-19 pandemic presents unique challenges to LGBTQ+ communities, people living with or most vulnerable to HIV, and to people of color, and is further exacerbated at the intersection of those populations in Chicago, the state of Illinois, and around the globe.

To continue dialogue from an April 24th virtual roundtable on these issues, Chicago House and Social Service Agency will host a public forum titled “The Intersection of COVID-19, the HIV Epidemic, and LGBTQ+ Marginalization: Reflections, Lessons, and Next Steps” on Friday, May 8th at 11:00 AM CDT. This will be part two of a multi-part roundtable series addressing the unique impacts of COVID-19 on individuals living with or most vulnerable to HIV and the LGBTQ+ communities.

Join on Zoom as leaders from various LGBTQ-serving Chicago service organizations elevate a critical conversation regarding the effects of COVID-19 on LGBTQ+ communities and those living with or most vulnerable to HIV. Moderated by Pride Action Tank CEO Kim Hunt, the discussion will address the health and resource disparities among Chicago’s LGBTQ+ communities, how those disparities are intensified by this pandemic, and how this crisis affects the collective efforts of Chicago’s direct service organizations to eradicate new HIV transmissions through the statewide Getting To Zero plan.

The roundtable discussion will include Brave Space Alliance Founder and Executive Director LaSaia Wade, Chicago House CEO Michael Herman, AFC Director of Policy Aisha Davis, and Howard Brown Director of Strategic Partnerships Channyn Lynne Parker.

The public is invited to register to attend the forum at www.chicagohouse.org/may-8. The forum can also be viewed via Facebook Live on Chicago House’s Facebook page.

“Our first conversation on April 24th highlighted the unique challenges faced by individuals impacted by HIV and our LGBTQ+ communities in the midst of COVID-19, as well as how Illinois leadership continues to respond to these challenges,” said Chicago House CEO Michael Herman. “In this second conversation, we will be joined by leaders from partner LGBTQ-serving organizations to further explore changes to our service delivery methods and how all of our work intersects to uplift the most vulnerable members of our communities in this time of crisis.”

The institutions and advocates for LGBTQ+ communities, people living with or most vulnerable to HIV, and people of color say the daily challenges these populations face have worsened due to the pandemic.

Individuals experiencing homelessness are far more likely to be hospitalized or require critical care because of COVID-19—and at much higher risk of dying of COVID-19—than stably housed individuals, due in part to dire lack of access to basic hygiene needs. Coupled with a higher likelihood of immune suppression in individuals living with HIV/AIDS and existing disparities in healthcare among the LGBTQ+ community, and especially in communities of color, the impact of COVID-19 is disproportionately felt in the most marginalized populations in Chicago and across Illinois.

Moderator Kim Hunt is the executive director of Pride Action Tank, a project of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC), where she also serves as the senior director of Policy & Advocacy Operations. Ms. Hunt’s career spans the public, private, and nonprofit sectors with a focus on advocacy, community and organizational development, and leadership.

This public conversation serves as part two of an ongoing series that includes leadership from government, non-profit organizations, and members of the Chicagoland community. As the country continues to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important that everyone unites and creates conversations among leaders from around the state to address reflections and lessons before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. These conversations will raise awareness surrounding health disparities society faces and inform next steps that influence health outcomes, life expectancy, and the statewide Getting to Zero plan.

“The way the LGBTQ community has survived plagues of the past is by meeting political indifference with overwhelming resilience,” shared Howard Brown Director of Strategic Partnerships Channyn Lynne Parker. “The HIV/AIDS crisis gave birth to activism that is alive and well today and it is that same fierce activism being used in our fight against COVID-19.”

AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) mobilizes communities to create equity and justice for people living with and vulnerable to HIV or chronic conditions.

Brave Space Alliance is the first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ Center located on the South Side of Chicago, dedicated to creating and providing affirming, culturally competent, for-us by-us resources, programming, and services for LGBTQ individuals on the South and West sides of the city.

Chicago House & Social Service Agency supports those living with or most vulnerable to HIV/AIDS by offering housing, health, and employment services and a TransLife Care program.

Howard Brown Health exists to eliminate the disparities in healthcare experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people through research, education and the provision of services that promote health and wellness.

Pride Action Tank is a project incubator and think tank that is focused on action that leads to improved outcomes and opportunities for LGBTQ+ communities in the Chicago region through a collective process of inquiry, advocacy and action.