Ulysses, a 64-year-old originally from Florida and now living in Atlanta, Georgia, has faced judgment and discrimination throughout his life as a Black gay man. However, his experience with the Georgia Harm Reduction Coalition (GHRC), a partner of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, has been a source of comfort and acceptance. “I don’t have that feeling of being judged when I come here,” he shares. “The biggest thing for me, aside from them providing the services, is that they make me feel comfortable and provide a safe place.”
Finding Support and Acceptance
Ulysses has been living with HIV since 2004 and was first introduced to GHRC through a friend, at a time when he was struggling to navigate the complexities of the health insurance system. Georgia Harm Reduction Coalition offers not only guidance on health insurance, but also free harm reduction services, clothing, and mental health support. With their help, Ulysses was able to resolve his insurance issues, and get access to the medications and care he needed. Today, he visits the center once or twice a month for therapy sessions and regular checkups.
“The best part of GHRC is the team—they’re incredible,” he says. “It’s such an open door, an outreached hand. They’re friendly, warm, and inviting. And I think that’s very important when receiving medical services. It makes you feel comfortable and relaxed.”
Ulysses’ journey with GHRC highlights the transformative power of accessible healthcare and compassionate, inclusive spaces. It also underscores the critical role of the Elton John AIDS Foundation in breaking down barriers to care across the United States, particularly in the U.S. South, where stigma and systemic challenges can be significant obstacles to health and well-being.
Addressing Disparities in the U.S. South
The work that GHRC is doing in Georgia is critical because the U.S. South bears the highest rates of new HIV cases in the country:
- Though the South makes up just 38% of the U.S. population, it accounted for over half of all new HIV diagnoses in 2022.
- As of 2022, just 65% of people living with HIV in the United States were virally suppressed, meaning that they cannot pass on the virus to others. This is far below the 90-90-90 UNAIDS target: 90% of people living with HIV to be diagnosed, 90% of those diagnosed to be receiving treatment, and 90% of those on treatment to have viral suppression.
These disparities highlight the urgent need to break down barriers to HIV prevention and care – so more people like Ulysses can access the support they deserve.
By partnering with organizations like Georgia Harm Reduction Coalition, the Elton John AIDS Foundation is committed to addressing gaps in care across the United States – reducing stigma, expanding access, and building compassionate, inclusive systems of support. GHRC does this by integrating HIV services into syringe service programs, drop-in centers, and mobile clinics — meeting people where they are, without judgment.
Throughout 2024, with our support, they connected more than 1500 individuals to HIV testing, PrEP and educational resources to help them better understand their health, navigate available services, and feel empowered.
For Ulysses, he received more than just health services. He found a community that truly sees and supports him.
Learn more about our work in the United States.
