Maria Elena Perez
@mariaeperez.bsky.social
editor for TheBody/TheBodyPro | proud boricua | princess party time's mother. pitches/tips: mperez@thebody.com
Reposted by Maria Elena Perez
If able, please consider donating to help care for baby Asiah: fundly.com/missmajor
Please at least share this post if unable to contribute! 🫂
Please at least share this post if unable to contribute! 🫂
October 14, 2025 at 8:16 PM
If able, please consider donating to help care for baby Asiah: fundly.com/missmajor
Please at least share this post if unable to contribute! 🫂
Please at least share this post if unable to contribute! 🫂
Reposted by Maria Elena Perez
RIP D'Angelo (1974-2025) 🕊️😔
October 14, 2025 at 4:04 PM
RIP D'Angelo (1974-2025) 🕊️😔
I had the honor of sitting down with Aracelis Quinones for @thebodydotcom.bsky.social, who shared her journey with HIV, how she refuses to let stigma define her, and why she’s urging the Latino community to embrace open conversations about sexual health
www.thebody.com/collection/r...
www.thebody.com/collection/r...
Really Honest Answers: Newly Diagnosed With HIV
Aracelis Quinones, who was diagnosed with HIV in 1988, shares her wisdom as a long-term survivor and leader in the Latina HIV community.
www.thebody.com
September 24, 2025 at 6:26 PM
I had the honor of sitting down with Aracelis Quinones for @thebodydotcom.bsky.social, who shared her journey with HIV, how she refuses to let stigma define her, and why she’s urging the Latino community to embrace open conversations about sexual health
www.thebody.com/collection/r...
www.thebody.com/collection/r...
Reposted by Maria Elena Perez
Just finished up at the Evanston No Kings rally. It was safe, peaceful, and a show of solidarity by *at least* 1,000 people.
Go to your local protest. Don’t let this administration scare you. Stand with your community when our leaders won’t.
Go to your local protest. Don’t let this administration scare you. Stand with your community when our leaders won’t.
June 14, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Just finished up at the Evanston No Kings rally. It was safe, peaceful, and a show of solidarity by *at least* 1,000 people.
Go to your local protest. Don’t let this administration scare you. Stand with your community when our leaders won’t.
Go to your local protest. Don’t let this administration scare you. Stand with your community when our leaders won’t.
I had the pleasure of interviewing HIV activist Kneeshe Parkinson for our latest Really Honest Answers series on @thebodydotcom.bsky.social! Kneeshe spoke about her HIV treatment journey, navigating pregnancy, and so much more
www.thebody.com/collection/r...
www.thebody.com/collection/r...
Really Honest Answers: Newly Diagnosed With HIV
Kneeshe Parkinson, who was diagnosed in 1997, reflects on how living with HIV never stood in the way of her dreams.
www.thebody.com
May 6, 2025 at 7:46 PM
I had the pleasure of interviewing HIV activist Kneeshe Parkinson for our latest Really Honest Answers series on @thebodydotcom.bsky.social! Kneeshe spoke about her HIV treatment journey, navigating pregnancy, and so much more
www.thebody.com/collection/r...
www.thebody.com/collection/r...
Reposted by Maria Elena Perez
The CDC provides over 90% of federal funding for HIV prevention—about $1 billion a year. Eliminating federal funding would lead to over 143,000 additional people in the U.S. acquiring HIV within 5 years and about 127,000 additional deaths related to AIDS, says amfAR.
www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-e...
www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-e...
Trump once promised to end HIV in America. His deep funding cuts are rolling back progress in the South.
A disruption in federal funds has jeopardized HIV testing and outreach in Mississippi, and researchers warn of a resurgence of the epidemic in the South.
www.cbsnews.com
May 6, 2025 at 6:14 PM
The CDC provides over 90% of federal funding for HIV prevention—about $1 billion a year. Eliminating federal funding would lead to over 143,000 additional people in the U.S. acquiring HIV within 5 years and about 127,000 additional deaths related to AIDS, says amfAR.
www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-e...
www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-e...
Reposted by Maria Elena Perez
“Our dream was that someday, this center would contribute to research that would lead us toward a cure for HIV,” says Jonathon Rendina of @whitmanwalker.bsky.social. WW was using a $2M 2024 grant to build a new HIV research hub.
On March 21, the grant was cancelled.
www.thebody.com/news/hiv/hiv...
On March 21, the grant was cancelled.
www.thebody.com/news/hiv/hiv...
U.S. HIV Researchers Reel at Widespread Cancellations to Domestic Funding
Sudden cuts to a staggering array of research grants at Whitman-Walker and other institutions threaten domestic HIV prevention and care efforts—not only in the present, but also well into the future.
www.thebody.com
April 7, 2025 at 6:40 PM
“Our dream was that someday, this center would contribute to research that would lead us toward a cure for HIV,” says Jonathon Rendina of @whitmanwalker.bsky.social. WW was using a $2M 2024 grant to build a new HIV research hub.
On March 21, the grant was cancelled.
www.thebody.com/news/hiv/hiv...
On March 21, the grant was cancelled.
www.thebody.com/news/hiv/hiv...
Reposted by Maria Elena Perez
STI/HIV Stigma and Fear is real. We have trained people to be so scared of sex that they view any encounter as a possible exposure to disease and demise. It's in our media, policies, everyday talk, and healthcare systems. So let's change to person centered sexual health goal setting
April 7, 2025 at 2:29 PM
STI/HIV Stigma and Fear is real. We have trained people to be so scared of sex that they view any encounter as a possible exposure to disease and demise. It's in our media, policies, everyday talk, and healthcare systems. So let's change to person centered sexual health goal setting
Reposted by Maria Elena Perez
An important and empowering read by @drbritwilliams.bsky.social - Black women deserve information about and access to sexual healthcare so that we can protect ourselves without sacrificing pleasure www.essence.com/lifestyle/ta...
Op-Ed: Tamar Braxton Is Taking PrEP. Her Decision Is Redefining Sexual Health For Black Women | Essence
A professor reflects on her decision to take PrEP and encourages other Black women to do the same.
www.essence.com
April 2, 2025 at 3:43 PM
An important and empowering read by @drbritwilliams.bsky.social - Black women deserve information about and access to sexual healthcare so that we can protect ourselves without sacrificing pleasure www.essence.com/lifestyle/ta...
Reposted by Maria Elena Perez
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 3:25 PM
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):
Reposted by Maria Elena Perez
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
8:00 AM ET – 9:00 AM ET
Join hundreds of HIV advocates from 38 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico to oppose federal HIV funding cuts.
Location: US Capitol lawn across from the Cannon House Office Building at the intersection of Independence Ave SE and First Street SE
8:00 AM ET – 9:00 AM ET
Join hundreds of HIV advocates from 38 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico to oppose federal HIV funding cuts.
Location: US Capitol lawn across from the Cannon House Office Building at the intersection of Independence Ave SE and First Street SE
March 31, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
8:00 AM ET – 9:00 AM ET
Join hundreds of HIV advocates from 38 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico to oppose federal HIV funding cuts.
Location: US Capitol lawn across from the Cannon House Office Building at the intersection of Independence Ave SE and First Street SE
8:00 AM ET – 9:00 AM ET
Join hundreds of HIV advocates from 38 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico to oppose federal HIV funding cuts.
Location: US Capitol lawn across from the Cannon House Office Building at the intersection of Independence Ave SE and First Street SE
Reposted by Maria Elena Perez
#TransDayofVisibility feels like a good moment to re-up @jncherabiemd.bsky.social's tremendous, invaluable quick video guide for clinicians on how to make sense of gender-affirming care and begin to employ it in their work, both for HIV prevention and beyond. www.thebodypro.com/video/trans-...
March 31, 2025 at 3:00 PM
#TransDayofVisibility feels like a good moment to re-up @jncherabiemd.bsky.social's tremendous, invaluable quick video guide for clinicians on how to make sense of gender-affirming care and begin to employ it in their work, both for HIV prevention and beyond. www.thebodypro.com/video/trans-...
Reposted by Maria Elena Perez
2 years ago, for Women's History Month, Tim Murphy wrote about 15 women who were #HIV activists.
I have a lot of faves from my time leading coverage at TheBody. This piece is one of the top 10 articles I commissioned. Say their names & fight to preserve their work.
www.thebody.com/article/wome...
I have a lot of faves from my time leading coverage at TheBody. This piece is one of the top 10 articles I commissioned. Say their names & fight to preserve their work.
www.thebody.com/article/wome...
March 27, 2025 at 10:19 PM
2 years ago, for Women's History Month, Tim Murphy wrote about 15 women who were #HIV activists.
I have a lot of faves from my time leading coverage at TheBody. This piece is one of the top 10 articles I commissioned. Say their names & fight to preserve their work.
www.thebody.com/article/wome...
I have a lot of faves from my time leading coverage at TheBody. This piece is one of the top 10 articles I commissioned. Say their names & fight to preserve their work.
www.thebody.com/article/wome...
Reposted by Maria Elena Perez
I love this article @timmurphynycwriter.bsky.social wrote for TheBody featuring three powerful trans HIV advocates standing tall amidst today's political storms: Tori Cooper of @hrc.org, Arianna Lint, and Shekinah Rose. It's the dose of strength we all need right now www.thebody.com/news/hiv/tra...
March 27, 2025 at 6:26 PM
I love this article @timmurphynycwriter.bsky.social wrote for TheBody featuring three powerful trans HIV advocates standing tall amidst today's political storms: Tori Cooper of @hrc.org, Arianna Lint, and Shekinah Rose. It's the dose of strength we all need right now www.thebody.com/news/hiv/tra...
Reposted by Maria Elena Perez
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 Maria Elena Perez
Demand your reps and senators oppose elimination of the CDC’s HIV Prevention Division.
Eliminating this Division would reverse all of our hard-won gains and lead to a resurgence of HIV, taking us back decades.
5calls.org/issue/cdc-hi...
Eliminating this Division would reverse all of our hard-won gains and lead to a resurgence of HIV, taking us back decades.
5calls.org/issue/cdc-hi...
Protect the CDC’s HIV Prevention Division ⭑ 5 Calls
Amid broad threats to slash Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) staffing, the Trump administration is reportedly considering slashing …
5calls.org
March 19, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Demand your reps and senators oppose elimination of the CDC’s HIV Prevention Division.
Eliminating this Division would reverse all of our hard-won gains and lead to a resurgence of HIV, taking us back decades.
5calls.org/issue/cdc-hi...
Eliminating this Division would reverse all of our hard-won gains and lead to a resurgence of HIV, taking us back decades.
5calls.org/issue/cdc-hi...
Reposted by Maria Elena Perez
#CROI2025 coverage on TheBodyPro:
- Racial disparities in U.S. HIV px/tx
- Real-world data: long-acting ART successes/challenges
- WYNTK when your newly dx patient has AIDS
- Intersection of aging + HIV cure research
- Long mpox in ppl with HIV
Read it all:
www.thebodypro.com/croi-confere...
- Racial disparities in U.S. HIV px/tx
- Real-world data: long-acting ART successes/challenges
- WYNTK when your newly dx patient has AIDS
- Intersection of aging + HIV cure research
- Long mpox in ppl with HIV
Read it all:
www.thebodypro.com/croi-confere...
March 17, 2025 at 4:20 PM
#CROI2025 coverage on TheBodyPro:
- Racial disparities in U.S. HIV px/tx
- Real-world data: long-acting ART successes/challenges
- WYNTK when your newly dx patient has AIDS
- Intersection of aging + HIV cure research
- Long mpox in ppl with HIV
Read it all:
www.thebodypro.com/croi-confere...
- Racial disparities in U.S. HIV px/tx
- Real-world data: long-acting ART successes/challenges
- WYNTK when your newly dx patient has AIDS
- Intersection of aging + HIV cure research
- Long mpox in ppl with HIV
Read it all:
www.thebodypro.com/croi-confere...
Reposted by Maria Elena Perez
Here’s a roundtable discussion from @thebodypro.bsky.social with some brilliant colleagues and me, discussing low barrier HIV care, long acting HIV meds, and creating a safe and welcoming HIV environment. Check it out! #HIVSky
www.thebodypro.com/collection/h...
www.thebodypro.com/collection/h...
www.thebodypro.com
February 25, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Here’s a roundtable discussion from @thebodypro.bsky.social with some brilliant colleagues and me, discussing low barrier HIV care, long acting HIV meds, and creating a safe and welcoming HIV environment. Check it out! #HIVSky
www.thebodypro.com/collection/h...
www.thebodypro.com/collection/h...
Reposted by Maria Elena Perez
Goodbye to the magnificent Roberta Flack. Singing Leonard Cohen on her debut LP, 1969: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz38...
Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye
YouTube video by Roberta Flack - Topic
www.youtube.com
February 24, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Goodbye to the magnificent Roberta Flack. Singing Leonard Cohen on her debut LP, 1969: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz38...
Reposted by Maria Elena Perez
Dr. Janet Mitchell is an HIV Hero!
www.thebody.com/hiv/janet-mi...
I commissioned & edited this article by Tim Murphy last Aug after he wrote about ACTG 076―which Mitchell helped lead―a study showing that people w HIV could give birth to babies w/o transmitting the virus.
Happy Black History Month!
www.thebody.com/hiv/janet-mi...
I commissioned & edited this article by Tim Murphy last Aug after he wrote about ACTG 076―which Mitchell helped lead―a study showing that people w HIV could give birth to babies w/o transmitting the virus.
Happy Black History Month!
February 12, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Dr. Janet Mitchell is an HIV Hero!
www.thebody.com/hiv/janet-mi...
I commissioned & edited this article by Tim Murphy last Aug after he wrote about ACTG 076―which Mitchell helped lead―a study showing that people w HIV could give birth to babies w/o transmitting the virus.
Happy Black History Month!
www.thebody.com/hiv/janet-mi...
I commissioned & edited this article by Tim Murphy last Aug after he wrote about ACTG 076―which Mitchell helped lead―a study showing that people w HIV could give birth to babies w/o transmitting the virus.
Happy Black History Month!
Reposted by Maria Elena Perez
As an HIV doc, this confirmation especially hurts. Folks don’t appreciate how much HIV care and advocacy changed medicine for the better. For everyone.
And we just put in charge some bro who doesn’t have the range or respect to acknowledge that.
The insult is layered on this one.
And we just put in charge some bro who doesn’t have the range or respect to acknowledge that.
The insult is layered on this one.
February 13, 2025 at 6:17 PM
As an HIV doc, this confirmation especially hurts. Folks don’t appreciate how much HIV care and advocacy changed medicine for the better. For everyone.
And we just put in charge some bro who doesn’t have the range or respect to acknowledge that.
The insult is layered on this one.
And we just put in charge some bro who doesn’t have the range or respect to acknowledge that.
The insult is layered on this one.
Reposted by Maria Elena Perez
Good to hear that the International AIDS society has decided to go fully hybrid for this year’s conference given the attacks on PEPFAR and USAID.
Hybrid meetings are more accessible and enable many more people to attend than in-person meetings alone.
Hybrid meetings are more accessible and enable many more people to attend than in-person meetings alone.
🌐 Amid uncertainties in the #HIV response, the IAS has updated the format of #IAS2025 to support the broadest possible participation.
IAS 2025 will now take place both in person in #Kigali, #Rwanda & virtually, from 13-17 July, with pre-conferences on 13 July.
IAS 2025 will now take place both in person in #Kigali, #Rwanda & virtually, from 13-17 July, with pre-conferences on 13 July.
IAS 2025, the 13th IAS Conference on HIV Science | IAS 2025
Early registration closes in: days Hours Minutes Seconds The early registration fee has been extended until Friday, 21 February, at 23:59 CET. #countdown { --smaller: .75; margin: 30px auto; text-...
www.iasociety.org
February 11, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Good to hear that the International AIDS society has decided to go fully hybrid for this year’s conference given the attacks on PEPFAR and USAID.
Hybrid meetings are more accessible and enable many more people to attend than in-person meetings alone.
Hybrid meetings are more accessible and enable many more people to attend than in-person meetings alone.
Reposted by Maria Elena Perez
This year, #NBHAAD, February 7, takes place at a time when federal #HIV programs are in jeopardy. A coalition of HIV activists and organizations led by @prep4allnow.bsky.social is calling on the Trump administration and Congress to preserve these programs.
www.positivelyaware.com/nbhaad-2025
www.positivelyaware.com/nbhaad-2025
On National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, advocates and congressional allies call to preserve federal funding
www.positivelyaware.com
February 7, 2025 at 7:22 PM
This year, #NBHAAD, February 7, takes place at a time when federal #HIV programs are in jeopardy. A coalition of HIV activists and organizations led by @prep4allnow.bsky.social is calling on the Trump administration and Congress to preserve these programs.
www.positivelyaware.com/nbhaad-2025
www.positivelyaware.com/nbhaad-2025
Reposted by Maria Elena Perez
The disappearance of CDC pages is terrifying for multiple reasons, but first and foremost, it is where we send clinicians and patients to get resources on diseases, and in my field HIV and STI guidance. This puts clinicians in the dark, academic, rural, community alike #HIVSky #IDSky
January 31, 2025 at 5:05 PM