LThomas
@lgthomas.bsky.social
Moving on over
Queer San Franciscan. HIV, harm reduction, public health, drug policy. I see a lot of live music. Birder. Childless cat lady. Mefite. ACT UP alum.
Queer San Franciscan. HIV, harm reduction, public health, drug policy. I see a lot of live music. Birder. Childless cat lady. Mefite. ACT UP alum.
Reposted by LThomas
1/ Still thinking this thru IRT Mamdani, but, as I have traveled around the world meeting ppl who work in community health & HIV prevention, I admire how many of them are LGBTQ & don't have college degrees but who are so smart in working with w science, politics, healthcare, conflict resolution...
November 5, 2025 at 3:00 AM
1/ Still thinking this thru IRT Mamdani, but, as I have traveled around the world meeting ppl who work in community health & HIV prevention, I admire how many of them are LGBTQ & don't have college degrees but who are so smart in working with w science, politics, healthcare, conflict resolution...
Reposted by LThomas
It’s so wild to me that this critical SF-based study from earlier this year — which shows a relationship btwn arrests of people who deal drugs and overdose rates — is systematically being ignored by the media and city leadership tinyurl.com/4wfxpm8k
June 27, 2025 at 2:13 AM
It’s so wild to me that this critical SF-based study from earlier this year — which shows a relationship btwn arrests of people who deal drugs and overdose rates — is systematically being ignored by the media and city leadership tinyurl.com/4wfxpm8k
Reposted by LThomas
The 1980s called….it wants its vile homophobic trope back
![Kennedy has long espoused controversial views about HIV, suggesting that contrary to widely held medical belief, the virus was not the cause of AIDS. In a video posted on Twitter in 2023, Kennedy tells an audience, “A hundred percent of the people who died at first, the first thousand who had AIDS, were people who were addicted to [a class of drugs called] poppers. … They were people who were part of a gay lifestyle. They were burning the candle at both ends, and they were taking a lot of injectable drugs.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ruam5iultg7ir33sau3glqm2/bafkreihf3dompmpwtzmof5625cdvuie3wg4yys4fyn2ip2pjicfozbl4pa@jpeg)
June 21, 2025 at 8:23 PM
The 1980s called….it wants its vile homophobic trope back
Reposted by LThomas
In a video from 2023 RFK said “100% of the people who died at first, who had AIDS, were addicted to poppers. … They were burning the candle at both ends & taking a lot of injectable drugs.”
As someone who treats chemical toxicity and addiction, poppers are inhaled and do not cause immunodeficiency.
As someone who treats chemical toxicity and addiction, poppers are inhaled and do not cause immunodeficiency.
Phasing out NIH’s HIV clinical guidelines is flat-out immoral and unethical.
These guidelines drive early diagnosis, ART initiation, and viral suppression—82% linked to care within 30 days, 69% virally suppressed by 6 months.
Removing them puts millions of lives at risk.
wapo.st/3FQovhf
These guidelines drive early diagnosis, ART initiation, and viral suppression—82% linked to care within 30 days, 69% virally suppressed by 6 months.
Removing them puts millions of lives at risk.
wapo.st/3FQovhf
Administration to phase out NIH support of HIV clinical guidelines
The National Institutes of Health will phase out its support of the clinical practice guidelines that advise doctors how to diagnose and treat HIV.
wapo.st
June 21, 2025 at 8:28 PM
In a video from 2023 RFK said “100% of the people who died at first, who had AIDS, were addicted to poppers. … They were burning the candle at both ends & taking a lot of injectable drugs.”
As someone who treats chemical toxicity and addiction, poppers are inhaled and do not cause immunodeficiency.
As someone who treats chemical toxicity and addiction, poppers are inhaled and do not cause immunodeficiency.
Reposted by LThomas
i remember white south africans being stupid and evil but maybe that’s just the mandela effect
May 12, 2025 at 4:40 PM
i remember white south africans being stupid and evil but maybe that’s just the mandela effect
Reposted by LThomas
Most Americans frequently use federal science information. But few are concerned that cuts to federal science spending could affect their access to such information, a new poll finds.
Most Americans use federal science information on a weekly basis, a new poll finds
Most Americans frequently use federal science information. But few are concerned that cuts to federal science spending could affect their access to such information, a new poll finds.
www.npr.org
May 6, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Most Americans frequently use federal science information. But few are concerned that cuts to federal science spending could affect their access to such information, a new poll finds.
Reposted by LThomas
I spend far too much time thinking about this chart and what is happening in US politics.
April 7, 2025 at 10:29 AM
I spend far too much time thinking about this chart and what is happening in US politics.
Reposted by LThomas
Labs going to waste, you can’t just pause and restart science! Years of work gone to waste.
More reckless cuts from HHS— CDC’s STD & hepatitis labs shut down, outbreak detection lost, critical testing delayed.
And an extra level of cruelty:
"Animals that were to be used in planned experiments will have to be destroyed. What a waste."
Thanks, Bobby!
www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-jr-...
And an extra level of cruelty:
"Animals that were to be used in planned experiments will have to be destroyed. What a waste."
Thanks, Bobby!
www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-jr-...
RFK Jr. cuts CDC labs investigating outbreaks of STDs and hepatitis
CDC officials are warning of delays and disruptions due to cuts to laboratory staff.
www.cbsnews.com
April 4, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Labs going to waste, you can’t just pause and restart science! Years of work gone to waste.
Reposted by LThomas
Were you just let go as part of the HHS #RIF? Here are #5Things you can do today to fight back.
If you have media tips, DM us.
#FiredButFighting #HHS #CDC #PublicHealth
If you have media tips, DM us.
#FiredButFighting #HHS #CDC #PublicHealth
April 1, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Were you just let go as part of the HHS #RIF? Here are #5Things you can do today to fight back.
If you have media tips, DM us.
#FiredButFighting #HHS #CDC #PublicHealth
If you have media tips, DM us.
#FiredButFighting #HHS #CDC #PublicHealth
Reposted by LThomas
The entire #lab for CDC's Division of Viral Hepatitis fired by today's reduction in force(RIF).
Nobody else does this role for the US.
👉Jono Mermin, Director of CDC's NCHHSTP (HIV/Hep/TB/STI Division) put on leave. along w other division directors & so many others 😠
#CDC #LiverSky #IDSky #Medsky
Nobody else does this role for the US.
👉Jono Mermin, Director of CDC's NCHHSTP (HIV/Hep/TB/STI Division) put on leave. along w other division directors & so many others 😠
#CDC #LiverSky #IDSky #Medsky
Today is a very dark day. More destruction of the backbone of our country's health.
#StandUpforScience
#StandUpforScience
New — Here is a running list of Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) offices that have either been fully eliminated or gutted into non-functionality as a result of today's mass firings (provided to me directly by a CDC staffer):
April 1, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Reposted by LThomas
Strong words from my brilliant colleague @anuhazramd.bsky.social concerning the NIH HIV cuts. Read the whole article here #SaveHIVFunding #HIVSky #IDSky @hivma.bsky.social
www.cnn.com/2025/03/25/h...
www.cnn.com/2025/03/25/h...
March 25, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Strong words from my brilliant colleague @anuhazramd.bsky.social concerning the NIH HIV cuts. Read the whole article here #SaveHIVFunding #HIVSky #IDSky @hivma.bsky.social
www.cnn.com/2025/03/25/h...
www.cnn.com/2025/03/25/h...
Reposted by LThomas
Cutting HIV Prevention funding at CDC would lead to more HIV infections, including advanced HIV, more mortality, more costs, and is just plain cruel. HIV is a preventable disease #HIVSky
Cutting HIV Prevention at CDC would cost lives, help us protect the HIV Prevention Division. Take action and head to 5calls.org/issue/cdc-hi...
March 20, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Cutting HIV Prevention funding at CDC would lead to more HIV infections, including advanced HIV, more mortality, more costs, and is just plain cruel. HIV is a preventable disease #HIVSky
Reposted by LThomas
Took a break from science news to write up Monday's inspiring #SaveOurSciences rally at #CROI2025. More of a photo essay, really, with lots of familiar faces.
www.poz.com/article/hiv-...
www.poz.com/article/hiv-...
HIV Researchers and Advocates Rally to Save Our Sciences
Speakers oppose the Trump administration’s funding cuts to the NIH, PEPFAR and Medicaid and attacks on communities most vulnerable to HIV.
www.poz.com
March 12, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Took a break from science news to write up Monday's inspiring #SaveOurSciences rally at #CROI2025. More of a photo essay, really, with lots of familiar faces.
www.poz.com/article/hiv-...
www.poz.com/article/hiv-...
Reposted by LThomas
TAKE ACTION! If you weren’t able to attend #CROI2025 this week, you can still make your voice heard by telling Congress to enact pending legislation that provides full funding for and averts cuts to vital, lifesaving domestic and global ID and HIV programs. here: bit.ly/41WxvJE
At the Save Our Sciences Rally for HIV Research! Past HIVMA Chair, Carlos del Rio @docdelrio.bsky.social , applauded the role of NIH in making the U.S. a leader in biomedical research and a major driver of economies and the importance of reauthorizing the lifesaving PEPFAR program.
March 11, 2025 at 10:16 PM
TAKE ACTION! If you weren’t able to attend #CROI2025 this week, you can still make your voice heard by telling Congress to enact pending legislation that provides full funding for and averts cuts to vital, lifesaving domestic and global ID and HIV programs. here: bit.ly/41WxvJE
Reposted by LThomas
Mark Harrington: “we had to fight to be studied… we didn’t get anything without fighting.” #CROI2025 #SaveOurSciences
March 11, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Mark Harrington: “we had to fight to be studied… we didn’t get anything without fighting.” #CROI2025 #SaveOurSciences
Reposted by LThomas
"Hey RFK! I never did poppers". Rebecca Denison calls out the deluded beliefs of the new US secretary of health who blamed HIV on the "gay lifestyle".
"The recklessness of current acts is like dropping an egg on the floor. You can't just pick it up & put it back together. This is a coup"
#croi2025
"The recklessness of current acts is like dropping an egg on the floor. You can't just pick it up & put it back together. This is a coup"
#croi2025
March 10, 2025 at 1:19 AM
"Hey RFK! I never did poppers". Rebecca Denison calls out the deluded beliefs of the new US secretary of health who blamed HIV on the "gay lifestyle".
"The recklessness of current acts is like dropping an egg on the floor. You can't just pick it up & put it back together. This is a coup"
#croi2025
"The recklessness of current acts is like dropping an egg on the floor. You can't just pick it up & put it back together. This is a coup"
#croi2025
Reposted by LThomas
Rebecca Dennison: "The recklessness we’re seeing is like dropping an egg on the floor – you can’t just pick it up & put it back together again...Do not bend a knee in advance, do not crumple in despair – that’s exactly what they want you to do." #CROI2025
March 10, 2025 at 1:25 AM
Rebecca Dennison: "The recklessness we’re seeing is like dropping an egg on the floor – you can’t just pick it up & put it back together again...Do not bend a knee in advance, do not crumple in despair – that’s exactly what they want you to do." #CROI2025
Reposted by LThomas
Can’t resist a few more photos from #SaveOurSciences HIV funding rally at #CROI2025. Great to see a lot of the old ACT UP gang + many young activists!
March 11, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Can’t resist a few more photos from #SaveOurSciences HIV funding rally at #CROI2025. Great to see a lot of the old ACT UP gang + many young activists!
Reposted by LThomas
A must-watch: Rebecca Denison, founder of Women Organized to Respond to Life-threatening Diseases (WORLD), delivers the Martin Delaney Presentation at #CROI2025
"40+ Years of #HIV: What’s Changed, What Hasn’t, What Shouldn’t, What Must"
Thanks to IAS-USA for making it publicly available.
"40+ Years of #HIV: What’s Changed, What Hasn’t, What Shouldn’t, What Must"
Thanks to IAS-USA for making it publicly available.
40+ Years of HIV: What’s Changed, What Hasn’t, What Shouldn’t, What Must
YouTube video by IAS-USA
youtu.be
March 12, 2025 at 5:09 AM
Reposted by LThomas
THE RESIST LIST IS HERE.
Proud my team just started this @resistlist.bsky.social, which will list actions that happened and that are slated to happen.
Proud my team just started this @resistlist.bsky.social, which will list actions that happened and that are slated to happen.
February 20, 2025 at 2:52 PM
THE RESIST LIST IS HERE.
Proud my team just started this @resistlist.bsky.social, which will list actions that happened and that are slated to happen.
Proud my team just started this @resistlist.bsky.social, which will list actions that happened and that are slated to happen.
Reposted by LThomas
I wrote about the importance of "prebunking," in light of rumors that Elon Musk may have purchased $40 million in Super Bowl ads to spread misinformation about the "fraud" and "corruption" in this vital agency. I hope you will read and share asharangappa.substack.com/p/prebunking...
Prebunking Elon Musk's Super Bowl Propaganda
Perception is reality.
asharangappa.substack.com
February 9, 2025 at 5:23 PM
I wrote about the importance of "prebunking," in light of rumors that Elon Musk may have purchased $40 million in Super Bowl ads to spread misinformation about the "fraud" and "corruption" in this vital agency. I hope you will read and share asharangappa.substack.com/p/prebunking...
Reposted by LThomas
If you weren’t clear: a President ordering a Federal health and disease agency to delete pages on its website is a public health crisis.
January 31, 2025 at 11:42 PM
If you weren’t clear: a President ordering a Federal health and disease agency to delete pages on its website is a public health crisis.