The Funders Concerned About Aids Annual Summit back in late 2019 fulfilled my curiosity on how organizing, community work and care can play a role in fighting the HIV epidemic in the United States. I was surprised at how real and unapologetic community activists, grantee partners were and how lived experiences were centred in most plenary sessions. Coming from Botswana, a Southern African country not known by many I encountered, these kinds of conversations are not always safe, especially with the inherent power that lies when donors/impact investors are present. Having heard of the social determinants of race, poverty, incarceration and lack of livelihood have impacted the resourcing, community response approaches and media reporting on HIV; it was clear HIV is not necessarily about everyone anymore, but more about people of colour. Brown and black bodies where approximately 500 000 men in the US don’t know their status, along with other groups such as sex workers and LGBTIQ+ individuals. What made this learning experience beautiful for me was engaging with people ‘who get it’. Both in and outside the summit spaces. Where Black Queer folks were speaking what I have researched and spoken of in multiple supposedly safe spaces within my country context.
One of the outside spaces that made it a great experience for me was visiting the DC LGBT centre. I got a tour of this safe space, boasting psycho-social support, computers for job-seeking community members, WiFi, a mini-library, information and a gem to receive you when in need. I got to better understand what it means to be non-conforming in an environment where black bodies can be policed to death, brutalize by poverty and erased by regressive policymaking. More importantly, how significant economic emancipation can be in one’s ability to exercise agency in Trump’s America. Whether its securing better medical insurance in a different state, not having to use the public transport system or negotiating for safe sex. It also can impact your ability to secure better opportunity, plan for family or simply have a better quality of life. These are all not unique to the United States. They have shared dreams for some or even achievements for those that have navigated systemic complexities.
A sit down with a trans lady made me realize the importance of representation and understanding the only way someone who has lived or still lives the challenges we face today. This is not new to me or my advocacy for LGBTIQ+ youth interventions, but it’s a new environment and space that isn’t the same as what one can find back home. In between our chat, my host was needed, one of the interruptions was a call for help for someone who needed shelter among other things. The advice was dispensed in the kindest way possible, with further assistance offered beyond office hours and official contact details. It is this intricate passion and dedication that is often unpaid, unaccounted for and often ignored by many enablers despite it being recognized. Examples of dedication like these that grassroots activists do the most they can because they have been there or still are. My own experience in replenishing my energy levels because there is no other option has had a negative impact on productivity and personal life.
Working in a world were self-care is expensive and social protections elitist; a lot remains to be done regardless of where one is situated. HIV knows no geographic limitations, race, M&E indicators, education levels, audited financials, capacity levels or income country status. Managing the epidemic should similarly be the same in addressing systemic and shared struggles. More importantly addressing the infrastructure shortcomings for those that do the groundwork, have no option of official hours, community care or stable income. Significant investments are needed to augment the invisible aspects of organizing. Where activists respond to context-specific challenges and complexities – especially where statements and policies don’t tangibly reduce the harm or pains of community members. A lot is yet to be achieved despite the progress made. I am curious to see how building more conversations and unmasking the supremacy will help strengthen response solutions in a more equitable manner. I left inspired and empowered to take these lessons with me and strengthen our voices towards a more equitable, just and enabling world.
Dumiso Gatsha is a fourth-year PhD (Law) candidate, Chartered Global Management Accountant and researcher. Founder of Success Capital NGO; an LGBTIQ+ youth-led, managed and serving grassroots organisation working on moving its community from survival to success. IG: dumi.activist
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this Op-Ed by the Writer are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Rustin Times.
