Transmasculinities and HIV: Breaking the Silence to Build a More Inclusive Response

By Liaam Winslet | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | #AIDSSociety #AIDS2026

Visibility also saves lives. Transmasculine communities in the global HIV response and the power of building a movement where every voice is heard. It is a call for linguistic justice, equitable access to healthcare, and recognition of communities that have historically been rendered invisible. A truly effective HIV response is only possible when no one is left out of the conversation.

During the International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2026), a dedicated session on transmasculinities and HIV marked the beginning of a collaborative agenda among Portuguese-speaking countries aimed at bringing greater visibility to communities that have long been excluded from the global HIV response. The initiative seeks to strengthen political advocacy, international cooperation, and community leadership across the Lusophone world.

One of the meeting’s central messages was that many populations remain invisible within the HIV response even in international forums. Transmasculine people, in particular, continue to experience significant underrepresentation in conferences, research, and public policy, limiting the development of targeted strategies that address their specific health needs and lived experiences.

Participants also examined the profound disparities that exist among Portuguese-speaking countries. While Brazil was recognized for its progress in HIV prevention and treatment access, representatives from Angola described the major challenges their communities continue to face, including limited access to HIV testing, antiretroviral treatment, condoms, lubricants, and prevention services, as well as the persistent stigma surrounding HIV.

Speakers agreed that the global HIV response is at a critical crossroads. Concerns were raised over declining international funding, the resurgence of conservative political narratives, and the weakening of public health policies developments that threaten to reverse decades of hard-won progress. In response, participants called for stronger collaboration among social movements and community-based organizations to defend universal access to medicines, innovative technologies, and comprehensive healthcare services.

Another major focus of the discussion was linguistic justice. Participants emphasized that language continues to be a significant barrier to meaningful participation in international spaces, where English overwhelmingly dominates discussions and interpretation services do not always provide equitable access. The development of a Lusophone agenda aims to expand political participation for Portuguese-speaking communities and ensure that their experiences and perspectives are reflected in global HIV decision-making.

The organizers also highlighted that women account for more than half of all people living with HIV worldwide, yet they remain underrepresented in panels, leadership roles, and decision-making spaces. Against this backdrop, opening the program with a session dedicated to transmasculinities was presented as a political act one intended to recognize and amplify populations that have historically remained on the margins of the conversation.

The session concluded with a call to strengthen alliances among organizations, activists, and institutions across Portuguese-speaking countries, alongside the announcement of a new Portuguese-language manifesto to be presented to government officials and public policymakers. More than an academic discussion, the session represented a commitment to building an HIV response grounded in equity, representation, and the recognition of all identities.