September 10 marked day one of the annual United States Conference on AIDS (USCA), taking place through this weekend in Washington, DC. The event marks the country’s largest HIV-related gathering of activists, health workers and policymakers, and this year’s theme is, “The numbers don’t lie: It’s time to end disparities!”

Couldn’t make it to the conference? Look out for the hashtag #2015USCA on social media—so far, the conference has been trending on Twitter for the past two days with inspiring quotes from fellow community members attending the annual meeting. Check out some of our favorites here:

1) Douglas Brooks


Before registration for USCA 2015 even started, Douglas Brooks, the director of the Office of National AIDS Policy, launched the discussion about disparities in U.S. minority communities during the conference’s pre-sessions.

2) Phill Wilson


During the breakfast plenary on #BlackLivesMatter, Phill Wilson, founder of the Black AIDS Institute, spoke out about racial misconceptions in the fight.

3) Maxine Walters


Next, U.S. Representative Maxine Walters (D–Calif.) got everybody fired up with her speech about activism.

4) Valerie Rochester


Valerie Rochester, from Atlanta’s Black Women’s Health Imperative, reminded us to read between the lines when it comes to statistics about HIV/AIDS.

5) Valerie Spencer


Transgender HIV activist Valerie Spencer was trending on Twitter nationwide after her inspiring speech.

6) DeRay McKesson


Then DeRay McKesson, one of the leaders in Ferguson’s #BlackLivesMatter movement, took the stage in his famous blue vest for some real talk about HIV in the African-American community.

7) Paul Kawata


A moment of inspiration from Paul Kawata, executive director of the National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC), which organizes USCA.

8) Nancy Pelosi


U.S. Representative Nancy Pelosi (D–Calif.) had this to say after receiving the Elizabeth Taylor Legacy Award for her long-time commitment to the fight.

9) New Jersey Red Umbrella Alliance (NJRUA)



During the conference’s afternoon sessions, community activists had a fierce debate with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about HIV and sex work.

10) Rev. Tony Lee


And finally, Reverend Tony Lee dropped the mic when he had this to quote about USCA 2015’s theme (“The number’s don’t lie: It’s time to end disparities!”).


Want more updates? USCA 2015 will continue through September 13. For more information about the conference, visit 2015usca.org and nmac.org, or follow the hashtag #2015USCA live on social media.