This day is an opportunity to recognize the importance of routine HIV testing and status awareness, as well as HIV prevention and patient-centered care for transgender and gender non-binary community members.

AV4H recognizes the importance of routine HIV testing, status awareness, and continued focus on HIV prevention and treatment efforts among transgender and gender non-binary people. Through the Mr. & Miss TRANShope Pageant we hope to encourage other community-based organizations, health jurisdictions, and HIV prevention programs to collaborate on this initiative in an effort of providing resources for the transgender and gender non-binary community members.

Goal: The overall goal of Mr. and Miss TRANShope Pageant is to recognize the importance of routine HIV testing and status awareness, as well as HIV prevention and patient-centered care for transgender and gender non-binary community members.

Objective:

1. To build the capacity of community gatekeepers through the provision of Comprehensive HIV Prevention, Treatment, and Social Determinants of Health Training, including PrEP & Single Tablet Treatment options for 20 community influencers (pageant contestants).

2. Identify two well-versed community Brand Ambassadors to aid in program facilitation, testing recruitment, PrEP, and treatment linkages. As well as promote AV4H programs and initiatives.

3. To bring positive awareness to the Transgender and Gender-nonconforming community by creatively representing the Trans Flag colors (Blue, Pink, and White)- Presentation

4. To facilitate a dyadic conversation that will stress the importance of HIV testing and status awareness within the Transgender and Gender non-conforming community.

(Question and Answer Portion)

****Audience members will be encouraged to submit questions regarding the topic of

HIV testing and care prior to the beginning of the pageant. During the question-and-answer portion of the pageant, the Moderator will pose questions to the contestants. Any questions that are not fully answered will be answered by the moderator.

5. To understand the importance of individual community engagement and relatability with community members to further the mission of AV4H. To promote and raise awareness of available screenings, prevention tools, treatment tools, and support services; as well as make rapid HIV screenings and immediate access to PrEP for eligible candidates.

Outcomes:

1. To recruit (2) Transgender ambassadors to represent AV4H at community events and to further its mission of providing HIV education, care, and other supportive services to the Transgender and Gender non-conforming community.

2. To empower the local Transgender and Gender Non-conforming community to take a proactive approach to ending the HIV epidemic within their own communities.

3. To increase the visibility of AV4H and its current services to inevitably reduce stigma and raise awareness surrounding HIV prevention and care.