San Francisco Rally Demands Protection for HIV Research Amid Funding Cuts
San Francisco, March 10, 2025 – Hundreds of people gathered at Yerba Buena Gardens on Monday evening for the Save Our Sciences: Rally for HIV Research. A powerful demonstration in support of life-saving HIV research programs, currently at risk of losing federal funding. Scientists, activists, and people living with HIV came together, to warn of the devastating consequences that budget cuts proposed by the Trump administration could have on future treatments, prevention, and potential cures.
Organized by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation’s HIV Advocacy Network (HAN) alongside researchers attending the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI). The event featured passionate speeches and urgent calls to action. The crowd, filled with activists and medical professionals, repeatedly chanted: “Research is resistance! Science is survival!” as speakers emphasized the importance of continued investment in HIV research.
“Science Saved My Life”
Lauren Thomas from the San Francisco AIDS Foundation opened the rally with an enthusiastic welcome to the crowd. She introduced Vince Crisostomo, a longtime HIV activist who was diagnosed in 1989 and told he wouldn’t live past 30.
“Last month, I turned 64,” Crisostomo said, drawing cheers from the audience. “Science saved my life. We cannot let them take that away from future generations.”
His speech was a reminder of how far HIV treatment has come, but also a warning: Without continued funding, many of the advances that have transformed HIV from a death sentence into a manageable condition, could be lost.
The Threat to HIV Research
The rally was a response to proposed federal budget cuts that could freeze funding for critical HIV research. Programs under threat include the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)—all of which play crucial roles in preventing, treating, and researching HIV worldwide.
Dr. Tyler TerMeer, CEO of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, stressed the high stakes:
“If we let politics take priority over science, we risk losing decades of progress,” he said. “We are standing up not just for research, but for the people whose lives depend on it.”
Beyond HIV: How Research Benefits Everyone
Speakers also highlighted how HIV research has led to major medical advancements beyond the virus itself, including breakthroughs in cancer treatment, hepatitis therapy, and even the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines.
Dr. Steve Deeks, a professor at UCSF, explained, “The COVID-19 vaccine was made possible by HIV researchers. Treatments for hepatitis C and tuberculosis? Also thanks to HIV research. Cutting funding now would hurt medical progress for everyone.”
Dr. Beatriz Grinsztejn, president of the International AIDS Society, warned of global consequences. “Millions still don’t have access to life-saving HIV treatment,” she said. “If these cuts happen, we could see a resurgence of the epidemic.”
A Personal Fight
For many in the crowd, the issue was deeply personal. Naina Khanna, director of the Positive Women’s Network-USA, spoke about how these cuts would disproportionately affect marginalized communities.
“This isn’t just about science—it’s about justice,” she said. “These cuts are a death sentence for Black and brown people, for trans people, for those already pushed to the margins.”
A Movement That Won’t Back Down
Despite the serious concerns, the rally was filled with energy and determination. Activists led the crowd in chants of “Act up! Fight back!”, a battle cry from the early days of HIV/AIDS activism.
Dr. Franco Chevalier, an infectious disease specialist, left the crowd with a powerful message: “We are not just researchers. We are fighters. We are not going anywhere.”
As the rally came to a close, attendees remained engaged, many vowing to continue pressuring lawmakers to protect HIV research funding.
For those who were unable to attend, organizers encouraged people to call their congressional representatives and demand action.
“Science saves lives,” TerMeer reminded the crowd. “We’re not letting anyone take that away.”