US State Department resumes HIV prevention program excluding LGBT+ News
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US State Department resumes HIV prevention program excluding LGBT+

The US Department of State has resumed HIV prevention services under the president’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) after a temporary suspension of US foreign assistance, according to reports Thursday. The resumption comes with a restriction: pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) will only be available to pregnant and breastfeeding women (PBFW), excluding LGBT+ individuals who are at high risk of HIV infection.

The February 10 PEPFAR Limited Waiver Approved Activities document states that: “People other than PBFW who may be at high risk of HIV infection or were previously initiated on a PrEP option cannot be offered PEPFAR-funded PrEP during this pause of U.S. Foreign Assistance or until further notice.” The restriction disproportionately impacts men who have sex with men and transgender individuals, populations that have historically faced higher rates of HIV transmission.

Human Rights Watch stated that even a temporary pause on PEPFAR programs could devastate vulnerable populations. Legal challenges have emerged in response to the freeze. On February 10, the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC) and Journalism Development Network, Inc. sued Trump, alleging the freeze was illegal and unconstitutional. The next day, USAID contractors and non-governmental organizations filed a separate lawsuit, arguing that the freeze had already caused irreparable harm. A separate lawsuit, brought by a group of USAID employees, led a federal judge to issue an injunction on February 7, blocking the furloughing of USAID workers.

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