From Allyship to Action: Lessons from USCHA

Thank you to NMAC, Gilead, ViiV, and Merck for another meaningful USCHA. We left energized by the conversations, history, and emerging leadership shaping today’s HIV/AIDS movement—and especially grateful for the chance to connect with TSC advisors, coaches, past capacity-building recipients, grantees, fellows, and new partners who are deeply committed to this work.

Our workshop, Supporting Trans Leaders Within Cis-Led Organizations: Trauma-Informed Capacity Building, invited participants to explore what it takes to move from good intentions to meaningful, shared support. Together, we looked at trauma-informed practices, authentic allyship, and practical ways organizations can create safer, more equitable pathways for trans and gender expansive leaders to grow, lead, and thrive.

Participant feedback underscored the importance of this conversation. Many described the session as empowering, especially in understanding what true allyship can look like inside cis-led organizations. Others valued the space to name workplace challenges, feel validated in their experiences, and discuss shared responsibility for creating healthier organizational cultures.

Among post-evaluation respondents, 100% said they could recognize the physiological and psychological impacts of historical and organizational trauma on trans and gender expansive employees. In addition, 95% said they could identify barriers to leadership advancement, and 95% said they could identify organizational pathways for more equitable advancement.

We’re grateful for the learning, reflection, and community at USCHA—and excited to keep building together with care, resilience, and purpose.