Friends, 

We have just participated in one of our most solemn and sacred duties as citizens in a free democracy—the election of our 47th President, the 119th Congress, and a slate of State and local leaders who we must now hold accountable to preserve our democracy, bring the American people together, and ensure that the dignity and rights of all Americans are upheld, regardless of how they voted. 

There are many critical policy issues on the line this year, including vital HIV funding, affordable housing, reproductive care, protections for the LGBTQ+ community, access to life-saving gender-affirming services for trans people, harm reduction programs, protections for immigrants and more. This campaign season, as others in recent years, was heated and exhausting, and you should be proud of your continued engagement throughout the process. Democracy can only survive when its citizens continue to hold those in power accountable. 

The work of defending our democracy and our rights is a never-ending task. We have seen time and time again that none of our rights are guaranteed if we don’t continue to defend them. 

That is why, first and foremost, we thank every single person who voted – you rose to the occasion and engaged in the messy and at times frustrating process of democracy, and made your voice heard loud and clear through your vote. 

Second, we want to remind you that it is still too early to know what the final results are for the House of Representatives, and we may not know for certain for a week or more—every single vote matters, and we must be patient as the election officials do the rigorous work of ensuring every single vote is counted. 

Finally, make sure you are turning to trusted news sources for information – think about CNN, ABC, PBS, NPR, Telemundo, and Univision to name a few.  Verify anything you see on social media with mainstream news sources before sharing it. If you see disinformation – tell the person who shared it and tell others not to pass the information along.  

AFC will continue to advocate on behalf of people living with and vulnerable to HIV, and those experiencing homelessness or housing instability. As a non-partisan, non-profit organization, our responsibility is to the communities we serve, and we will hold anyone in power accountable, regardless of political party or affiliation. 

If you are feeling anxious about the outcome of this election, we encourage you to prioritize self-care. When you are ready to take action, we encourage you to join AFC in advocacy during these crucial next two years, and to plan to vote during the next election. If you haven’t done so already, please join our Mobile Action Network to get advocacy updates. 

This was the most consequential election of our lifetime—until the next one. We stand in solidarity with you and hope you will join us in the fight ahead.