National HIV Testing Day brings free screenings and resources [Video]

WASHINGTON — WUSA9 continues to celebrate Pride showcasing efforts to keep our neighbors safe. Thursday was National HIV Testing Day. D.C. advocates spent the day in the community offering free testing, education, and resources.

The day was not only about education, but a celebration of a major milestone in the District of Columbia. Five years ago, 2.8% of our neighbors were living with HIV; today that number is down to 1.8% according to the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs. Advocates said that is not only due to advances in medicine, but in outreach events that destigmatize the testing process.

Outreach workers staged by the U Street Metro and 13th and U streets, Northwest to reach the most people with a life-saving message on National HIV Testing Day.

DC Health, the Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs, and Walgreens partnered to offer free HIV and STD screenings.

“Looking to end HIV doesn’t mean we’re looking to end people,” said …