Southern Aids Coalition

SAC’s mission is to end the HIV and STD epidemics in the South by promoting accessible and high quality systems of HIV and STD prevention, treatment, care, housing and essential support services throughout the South.

We envision the South a place where new HIV infections are rare and when they do occur, people living with HIV, regardless of age, gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic circumstance, or geographical location, have access to high-quality, life-extending care free from stigma and discrimination.

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The Southern AIDS Coalition (SAC), formed in 2001, is a membership network of Southerners representing organizations and individuals including concerned government representatives, corporations and community advocates: WORKING TOGETHER TO END THE WAR on HIV/AIDS.

 

A regional membership organization headquartered in Birmingham, AL, SAC promotes accessible and high quality systems of HIV and STD prevention, care, treatment and housing throughout the entire South (16 southern states and the District of Columbia.)  SAC has a national reputation for leading advocacy and affecting policy change.  

 

SAC was born from the burgeoning numbers of people in the Southern United States with infection rates much higher than in the rest of the U.S. population, particularly for newly diagnosed cases.

 

FACT
Southern States Represent: 37% of the US Population
Southern States Represent: 50% of new HIV Infections in the US
(Southern States Manifesto: 2012)

 

Federal funds do not meet the needs of those living with HIV in the South and are not equally distributed across the country. The HIV/AIDS outbreak is at a state of emergency in the Southern United States. The disparate impact of this epidemic on Southern citizens, especially within communities of color, must be addressed. The Southern AIDS Coalition works to provide Southerners with opportunity to receive adequate HIV/AIDS prevention information, treatment, support services and housing.

 

SAC has developed major policy papers throughout its history, including the Southern States Manifesto in 2008 and an update in 2012.  The current listserv includes over 1,200 and 900+ likes on Facebook.  Weekly ‘Call-to-Action’ and ‘Information Alerts’ provide an effective means of communication.  Webinars and Teleconferences, free to the public, are regularly scheduled throughout the year as needs arise.

 

SAC is a federally recognized 501(c)3 non-profit entity.