The #SaveHIVFunding campaign will visit Washington, DC, from September 3 to 5 to lobby Congress ahead of a proposed House bill, which would see $1 billion cut from HIV funding. HIV funding in the US has already faced serious reductions under the Trump administration, with freezes to foreign aid earlier this year, and ongoing court battles surrounding the legality of these cutbacks.

Joining the #SaveHIVFunding advocacy campaign is actor Javier Muñoz, who starred in Hamilton on Broadway from 2016 to 2018. He has been an advocate for HIV and AIDS healthcare equality throughout his career.

TV star and drag queen Peppermint will also join the fight, continuing her prominent activism for the LGBTQ+ community. The former Drag Race star received a Trans Vanguard Award from ReachLA earlier this year for her advocacy. 

She previously made history as the first openly trans person to originate a principal role in Head Over Heels on Broadway. Her pioneering continues as she and Javier Muñoz prepare to stand up for HIV healthcare in congressional offices this September as part of their involvement with the #SaveHIVFunding campaign.  

Throughout the week, advocacy groups will meet with lawmakers to campaign for protecting and expanding HIV funding ahead of bill debates. To close off the week, on September 5, advocates will unveil the #SaveHIVFunding #CutsKill Quilt to highlight the impact of HIV funding cuts.

The quilt installation is inspired by the AIDS memorial quilt and will serve as a visual representation of the importance of lifesaving healthcare. 

At present, over 1.2 million Americans are living with HIV, with nearly half of these relying on federal programs for medical care. The #SaveHIVFunding campaign, which is supported by over 100 organisations, notes that funding rollbacks would disproportionately impact Black and Latinx communities, deepening the inequities in the US healthcare system.

Launched in 2023, so far, the #SaveHIVFunding campaign has prevented $1.5 billion in spending cuts. The campaign expanded earlier this year to match the increased efforts of the Trump administration to reduce and dismantle HIV funding and healthcare.