Support Texans with HIV Through the Winter Storm

Like you, we have been horrified by the devastation wrought by the winter storm in Texas and the Gulf region, and the failure of Texas political leadership to respond. We are not confused about the root causes here – climate change, capitalism, and an utter disregard by political leaders for the lives of poor people, working-class people, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.

Some Texans have been without power, heat, and water since Sunday night in freezing temperatures. While power is being restored in some areas, it is slow and not consistent or reliable. Stores have been sold out of food and bottled water for days and many roads are impassable to get supplies in and out.

Where food is available, price gouging is rampant and groceries cost much more than usual. Cities throughout Texas are operating on boil water notices because the water, even when it starts running again, is not safe to drink.

Members are reporting already receiving electric bills that number in the high hundreds of dollars and damage from burst pipes has destroyed personal property. Too many Texans have already lost their lives– freezing to death, using their ovens for heat, or trying to stay warm in their cars. Refilling prescriptions has been virtually impossible.

These stories barely scratch the surface and don’t begin to speak to the extreme exhaustion, trauma, and stress that our base is dealing with and will continue to navigate once power and water are fully restored.

PWN has been attempting to connect our folks on the ground to resources and mutual aid networks, and where possible, we have sent money directly to our people on the ground in Texas. But we need to do more.

We are asking our community for support at this time via the PWN Emergency Support Fund for Women Living with HIV. Through this fund, Positive Women’s Network-USA, the only national network led by and for women and people of trans experience living with HIV, will provide emergency assistance dollars to our members and allies in need.

The fund will provide fast financial relief to PWN members affected by the winter storm who need help in securing the basics: food, shelter, power, water, utilities, supplies, health care, etc. [add link] Many people have asked how they can support folks in Texas and the Gulf area who are in need. We have provided mutual aid in 2020 and are ready to do so again.

Any contribution you are able to make is deeply appreciated. No amount is too large or too small.

“There’s no justice there’s Just Us.” – Edward Hope

We Got Us.

In sisterhood and solidarity,

Positive Women’s Network-USA