Board proclaims HIV Long Term Survivors Awareness Day as advocates warn of budget cuts

The Board of Supervisors on May 19 unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing June 5, 2026, as HIV Long Term Survivors Awareness Day, honoring people who have lived with HIV since the early years of the epidemic.

Supervisor Chan introduced the resolution and noted that advances in care mean many long‑term survivors are living into older age but face complex comorbidities and social isolation. "By proclaiming 06/05/2026 as HIV Long Term Survivors Awareness Day, we are not just offering symbolic support," Chan said. "We are recognizing that their distinct challenges require a distinct, fully funded city response."

During public comment, multiple advocates and long‑term survivors said the mayor’s proposed budget would cut prevention and community‑based services. Justice Douma of the HIV Advocacy Network asked the board to support a city resolution backing California Senate Bill 1422 on Medi‑Cal eligibility and to resist budget reductions. Speakers cited proposed cuts as large and specific — for example, reductions that would remove contracts and services serving people of color and older survivors — and urged the board to protect prevention programs such as PrEP distribution, harm‑reduction services, and community health access points.

Advocates asked supervisors to hold the line on prior commitments made by the board to protect HIV safety‑net funding. Several long‑term survivors described the social and health consequences that would follow cuts to services they rely on and asked for restoration of at‑risk programs during the upcoming budget process.