Welcoming the New Year!

2017 was a whirlwind year for marginalized communities and allies. It was chaos due to the new administration and it's continuous attacks against the most vulnerable in our nation. We ended the year with the passing of the detrimental Tax Plan that will have a negative impact on low income communities. The CDC was given a list of banned words that included, "evidence-based", "fetus", "transgender" and "vulnerable".  Also with the dismissal of the remaining members of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS, this administration has proven that it is not interested in the recommendations that experts in the field have. We'll see in the coming months who he fills those positions with and whether they are going to continue the work that the previous PACHA members were doing.

Though the year was filled with trauma for the communities that we may be a part of and/or work with, it was also a year where we truly saw the resiliency and resistance.  Communities have come together to fight back and have each other's backs. For 2018, the hope should be that the resistance continues to grow and that communities continue to come together. Let's not forget that 2018 is the midterm election year, we have to encourage those around us to go out and vote in order for our congress to have a positive impact. Though we should continue to resist,  let's make sure that we are also taking care of ourselves along the way. Don't forget to practice some self-care in the midst of all that is happening.

​Let's make the goal for 2018 to create change and promote healing for our communities so that in years to come we can look back and inspire younger generations to also take action.

Wishing everyone a healthy and productive New Year!