Your willingness to take action as an advocate could greatly influence your life—and those of millions of people living with HIV. You can attend meetings, sign petitions, make donations, call or write elected officials, volunteer at an AIDS service organization or attend rallies and demonstrations. Whatever your choice of action—Real Health encourages you to get involved—know that you can make a big difference. Below are some of the major HIV/AIDS advocacy groups. Visit their websites or give them a call to see how you can get involved.

AIDS Action
1424 K St., NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 2005
202-530-8030
aidsaction.org
One of the nation’s leading HIV/AIDS policy organizations. Its mission states, “We will work until it’s over”—but the group can’t do it alone.

AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth & Families
1600 K St., NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20006
202-785-3564
aids-alliance.org
Established in 1994 to give voice to the needs of women, children, youth and families living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Consider taking part in their Advocacy Day to meet your elected lawmakers and their health staffs.

AIDS Policy Project
215-939-7852
aidspolicyproject.org
This grassroots org, based in Philly and San Francisco, works hard to make sure researchers and our government stay focused on the cure.

AIDS Treatment Activists Coalition (ATAC)
611 Broadway, Suite 613
New York, NY 10012
617-267-0998
atac-usa.org
ATAC regularly meets with pharmaceutical companies to ensure the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS are first and foremost. They also hold bootcamps to train treatment advocates.  

AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition
119 W. 24th St., 7th Floor S.
New York, NY 10011
212-367-1279
avac.org
The last we checked, there’s still no vaccine for HIV. Hence, we really need these guys. Check out their “Take Action” page to get involved.

Black Treatment Advocates Network(BTAN) Black AIDS Institute
1833 W. 8th St., Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90057
213-353-3610
blackaids.org
An initiative through the Black AIDS Institute, BTAN trains and mobilizes treatment advocates. Its mission is to link black Americans living with HIV to care and treatment.

Campaign to End AIDS (C2EA)
877-END-AIDS
c2ea.org
With a phone number like that, how can you resist calling? C2EA has several work groups—open to all—promoting advocacy strategies to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in all communities.

Center for HIV Law & Policy (CHLP)
65 Broadway, Suite 832
New York, NY 10006
212-430-6733
hivlawandpolicy.org
Volunteer your time and skills to these defenders-for-truth. You will provide critical support to CHLP’s mission of securing the human rights of people affected by HIV.

Communities Advocating Emergency AIDS Relief (CAEAR) Coalition
P.O. Box 21361
Washington, DC 20009
202-789-3565
caear.org
If you’re interested in advocating for federal policies to meet the care, treatment, support service and prevention needs of people living with HIV and the organizations that serve them, check out the “Take Action” page on CAEAR’s website.

Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC)
119 W. 24th St.
New York, NY 10011
212-367-1000
gmhc.org
One of the oldest HIV/AIDS organizations in the country is in constant need of new talent—and not necessarily “gay” or “men.” Visit the “volunteer” page of its website to learn more. GMHC’s annual AIDS Walk New York has raised more than $105 million for HIV programs and services in the tri-state area.

Housing Works
57 Willoughby St., 2nd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
347-473-7400
housingworks.org
Not only is Housing Works committed to fighting the twin crises of HIV and homelessness, but its New York City shops offer cute vintage clothes to boot (you can also shop online!). Plenty of opportunities to get involved here.

International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI)
110 William St., 27th Floor
New York, NY 10038-3901
212-847-1111
iavi.org
IAVI’s mission is to ensure the development of safe, effective, accessible, preventive HIV vaccines for use throughout the world. Visit the “How to Help” section on IAVI’s website to make this mission possible.

International Rectal Microbicides Advocates (IRMA)
rectalmicrobicides.org
No, IRMA is not just the name of your great aunt—it also stands for a collaboration of more than 1,000 advocates, policy makers and leading scientists from around the world searching for a rectal microbicide.

National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC)
1931 13th St., NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-483-6622
nmac.org
Since 1987, NMAC has advanced its mission through a variety of public policy education programs, national conferences, training sessions and treatment and research programs—all of which need hands-on participation.

Treatment Access Expansion Project (TAEP)
32 Sheridan St.
Boston, MA 02130
617-390-2584
taepusa.org
The only national organization whose mission focuses solely on improving access to care and treatment for low-income people with HIV/AIDS.

Treatment Action Group (TAG)
611 Broadway, Suite 308
New York, NY 10012
212-253-7922
treatmentactiongroup.org
These guys (and gals) know their HIV science and policy inside and out. Wherever major HIV (and TB and hepatitis) decisions are being made, TAG is there. Check out this TAG team and lend your support.

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