Today, that progress is under siege. Recent efforts seeking to freeze federal funding, including foreign aid, are jeopardizing decades of life-saving work, putting millions of lives in grave danger, and threatening to unravel the advances we’ve fought so hard to achieve.

PEPFAR is more than a program; it is a lifeline. For LGBTQ+ people in particular, it has meant access to HIV prevention, treatment, and care in places where being true to yourself often comes with immense risk. It has created safe spaces, strengthened healthcare systems, and empowered communities to confront HIV head-on.

This program is a testament to what U.S. leadership can accomplish globally when guided by science, compassion, and a commitment to equity. PEPFAR has helped rewrite the narrative of HIV, proving that progress is possible when we work hand-in-hand with communities to address their needs.

This new directive to halt foreign aid has unleashed devastating consequences:

• 222,333 people would lose access to life-saving HIV medications every single day a full freeze on PEPFAR continues, including 7,445 children under 15 years old.
• Healthcare workers supported by PEPFAR have reportedly been forced to stop services, leaving clinics understaffed and patients without care.
• Over 6.4 million vulnerable children risk losing access to essential programs to safeguard their futures.

For LGBTQ+ individuals, these disruptions are catastrophic. In many countries, PEPFAR is the sole provider of HIV services for key populations. Cutting off this lifeline means turning our backs on communities who rely on it to survive.

Without immediate action:

• Countless lives will be lost.
• Years of progress in combating HIV prevention and treatment will be undone.
• The ripple effects will devastate families, communities, and nations.

We cannot afford to let this happen. Advocacy is our most powerful tool to fight back:

• Pressure decision-makers: Congress must understand this freeze's devastating human and economic toll.
• Mobilize communities: Grassroots advocacy can amplify the voices of those directly affected, ensuring their stories drive the response.
• Highlight shared interests: All intertwined are public health, economic stability, and global progress. PEPFAR’s success benefits everyone, from local communities to businesses to global stability.

PEPFAR has shown us what is possible when we dare to lead with empathy and vision. Now, we must rise to defend this legacy. Contact your representatives in Congress. Join advocacy campaigns. Show up in solidarity with LGBTQ+ communities worldwide. 

Together, we can ensure that the progress of the last 20 years is not undone — but instead can be used as the foundation for an even brighter, more equitable future. This is a fight for lives, for dignity, and for justice across the globe. Let’s ensure we’re on the right side of history.