“We won’t be scared. We won’t be stopped. WE WILL VOTE!”

So declares last month’s policy update from the Positive Women’s Network–USA (PWN-USA), a nationwide, trans-inclusive nonprofit group of women living with HIV. The subject of that September newsletter update was voter suppression—raising awareness of the issue and how to fight against suppression—but PWN-USA has long been active in local and national elections. This year is no exception. If anything, the HIV advocates are more engaged than ever.

Our Sept Monthly Policy Update (MPU) is now published! The Hot Topic covers the recent uptick in voter suppression...

Posted by Positive Women’s Network - USA on Friday, October 18, 2024

PWN-USA’s efforts to get out the vote are especially targeted this year, thanks to the group’s local chapters in Colorado, Pennsylvania and Texas (greater Houston). The group has created online resources, webinars and, in some cases, ballot guides. Its October newsletter focuses on voter engagement campaigns.

Posted by Positive Women’s Network - USA on Tuesday, October 15, 2024

In the battleground state of Pennsylvania, PWN advocates are making national headlines. Radio station WHYY, which partners with NPR and PBS, profiled activist Colette White as she canvassed door-to-door in northwest Philadelphia, informing residents that Mayor Cherelle Parker, a Democrat, had eliminated city funding for effective clean needle programs that helped lower rates of HIV, hepatitis C and other infections.

“So we, Positive Women’s Network, want to go back to City Hall and tell City Council to reinstate the funding,” White told one resident, according to WHYY, before asking whether she could add the woman’s name to a digital petition.

Posted by Positive Women’s Network - USA on Wednesday, October 16, 2024

PWN activists have been canvassing in other areas of Philadelphia and across other cities to ensure that voters understand how the election affects health issues, including HIV treatment and prevention, reproductive and sexual health, health insurance coverage including Medicaid and Medicare, and more.

Samm Pheiffer, an integrated voter engagement manager at PWN, oversees door-to-door canvassing in northwest Philadelphia. The overall goal, she tells WHYY, is to motivate folks to take action, whether that is in the voting booth or by attending a local City Hall meeting and speaking about legislation and efforts. 

To learn more about PWN-USA, click #Positive Women’s Network USA, and you’ll find headlines such as “My Road to AIDSWatch 2024” and “PWN-USA Welcomes New Co-Executive Directors.” And click #Election for articles such as “Harris-Walz Ticket Sharpens Contrast With Trump-Vance on Health Care” and “Amida Care’s HIV and LGBTQ Clients and Staff Want You to Vote!”