COMMUNITY PARTNER SOCIAL MEDIA & OBSERVANCE TOOLKIT

Note: If social media will help you with your local observances and HIV response, we hope this toolkit will help you with your efforts.

This June 5th, the world will mark the 40th Anniversary of the first reported cases of AIDS identified in the U.S. The 40th Anniversary of HIV signifies a moment in history where we remember those we’ve lost to HIV/AIDS and honor their memories. The 2021 tagline is: 40 Years of Progress - It’s time to End the HIV Epidemic. It is a time to pay tribute to the U.S. scientists, researchers, advocates, healthcare professionals, and public health workers who have contributed to our global effort to end the HIV epidemic. The commitments of international partners, federal agencies, advocates, and community organizations who work tirelessly on the frontlines in face of this global public health crisis are what push us forward. This milestone is an opportunity to reaffirm commitment to tackling HIV, demonstrating that despite the worldwide challenges due to COVID-19, we remain focused on ensuring resources and capacity to end the HIV epidemic in the U.S. and abroad.

Below is a living “40th Anniversary” toolkit, including social media assets and observance ideas, and more available on HIV.gov. Please use the content included in this toolkit to supplement this year’s observance and communications needs. Activities will occur throughout May 1st - June 27th National HIV Testing Day.

How to use the Toolkit

• Incorporate “40th Anniversary” content, images and messaging in HIV awareness communications.
• Customize and share materials with your audiences and stakeholders.
• Utilize observance ideas to host your own local event.

Resources included in Toolkit

• Social Media Takeover
• Observance Event Ideas
• “40th Anniversary” Commemorative Assets

Social Media Takeover

Join the #40YearsofHIV Social Media Takeover. Create content on your social media platform to raise awareness and reduce stigma around HIV. Please use the messaging and creative assets below for dissemination for the “40th Anniversary” events.

• Write, Record, Share! Write a message, record a video or share a post with your loved ones about ending the HIV epidemic.
• Add GIFs, videos, or images. Download official “40th Anniversary” commemorative assets at HIV.gov.
• Use #40YearsofHIV in your social media posts and tag @HIVgov. Including the official hashtag will help others easily search and find out about your events and activities.
• Don’t forget to tag and follow @HIVgov!

Sample Social Media Posts

Below you will find social media images followed by post copy. Click to preview and right click to download each image. The square images can be used for Facebook and Instagram and the rectangular images can be used for Twitter.

Twitter: #40YearsOfHIV calls us to REFLECT on the more than 32 million lives lost to AIDS-related illness over the past 40 years. In their honor, we will not stop until we #EndHIVEpidemic in the U.S. and around the world. Learn more @HIVgov. www.hiv.gov/events/40-years-of-hiv

Facebook: June 5th is an opportunity to REFLECT on the more than 32 million lives we’ve lost to AIDS-related illness over the past 40 years. In their honor, we will not stop until we end the HIV epidemic in the U.S. and around the world. Learn more. www.hiv.gov/events/40-years-of-hiv #40YearsOfHIV #EndHIVEpidemic

Instagram: June 5th is an opportunity for the global community to REFLECT on the more than 32 million lives we’ve lost to AIDS-related illness over the past 40 years. In their honor, we will not stop until we end the HIV epidemic in the U.S. and around the world. Learn more @HIVgov. www.hiv.gov/events/40-years-of-hiv #40YearsOfHIV #EndHIVEpidemic #HIV #AIDS

Twitter: Now is the time to RECOMMIT to #EndHIVEpidemic—in the U.S. and abroad. We stand with our partners in ensuring equitable access to #HIV services and strengthening our global response to future pandemics. Learn more @HIVgov. www.hiv.gov/events/40-years-of-hiv #40YearsOfHIV

Facebook: Now is the time to RECOMMIT to our goal of ending the HIV epidemic—in the U.S. and abroad. We join our partners across the federal government and HIV community in our commitment to ensure equitable access to HIV services, investment in global and domestic health programs, and strengthen the global response to future pandemics. Learn more. www.hiv.gov/events/40-years-of-hiv #40YearsOfHIV #EndHIVEpidemic

Instagram: Now is the time to RECOMMIT to end the HIV epidemic—in the U.S. and abroad. We join our partners across the federal government and HIV community in our commitment to ensure equitable access to HIV services, investment in global and domestic health programs, and strengthen the global response to future pandemics. Learn more @HIVgov. www.hiv.gov/events/40-years-of-hiv #40YearsOfHIV #EndHIVEpidemic #HIV #AIDS

Twitter: In honor of #40YearsOfHIV, we are committed to diversifying and innovating new methods to the HIV response. We pledge to REENERGIZE our efforts to ensure we meet the needs of those most affected by #HIV. Learn more @HIVgov. www.hiv.gov/events/40-years-of-hiv

Facebook: As we commemorate the 40th anniversary of the first reported cases of what later became known as #AIDS, we pledge to REENERGIZE and diversify our efforts to end the HIV epidemic. We must ensure the progress we’ve made continues and that equitable access to prevention, care, and treatment remains at the forefront. Learn more. www.hiv.gov/events/40-years-of-hiv #40YearsOfHIV

Instagram: In honor of #40YearsOfHIV, we are committed to diversifying and supporting innovative methods to the HIV response. We pledge to REENERGIZE our efforts to ensure we meet the needs of the communities most affected by HIV. Learn more @HIVgov. www.hiv.gov/events/40-years-of-hiv #EndHIVEpidemic #HIV #AIDS

Twitter: Together, we make a difference🤝. We must work together as a country and REENGAGE our partners to support critical contributions to #HIV response that can end the HIV epidemic at home and abroad. Learn more @HIVgov. www.hiv.gov/events/40-years-of-hiv #40YearsOfHIV

Facebook: Together, we make a difference. We must work together as a country and REENGAGE our partners to support continued innovation of programs and methods to address HIV at home and abroad. Learn more. www.hiv.gov/events/40-years-of-hiv #40YearsOfHIV

Instagram: Together, we make a difference🤝. We must work together as a country and REENGAGE our partners to support critical contributions to the #HIV response that can end the HIV epidemic in the United States and abroad. Learn more @HIVgov. www.hiv.gov/events/40-years-of-hiv #40YearsOfHIV #EndHIVEpidemic #HIV #AIDS

Twitter #1: June 5th marks the 40th anniversary of the first reported cases of what later became known as #AIDS. We continue to work together to #EndHIVEpidemic and reflect, recommit, reenergize, and reengage. Learn more @HIVgov. www.hiv.gov/events/40-years-of-hiv #40yearsofHIV

Facebook #1: June 5th marks the 40th anniversary of the first reported cases of what later became known as #AIDS. On this day, we:

• REFLECT upon and honor with action those lost from AIDS-related illnesses.
• RECOMMIT to help #EndHIVEpidemic in the U.S. and around the globe.
• REENERGIZE and diversify the HIV response.
• REENGAGE, empower, and strengthen partnerships.

Learn more. www.hiv.gov/events/40-years-of-hiv #40yearsofHIV

Instagram #1: June 5th marks the 40th anniversary of the first reported cases of what later became known as #AIDS. On this day, we:

• REFLECT upon and honor with action those lost from AIDS-related illnesses
• RECOMMIT to help #EndHIVEpidemic in the U.S. and around the globe.
• REENERGIZE and diversify the #HIV response.
• REENGAGE and coordinate around the world.

Learn more @HIVgov. www.hiv.gov/events/40-years-of-hiv #40yearsofHIV

Twitter #2: On June 5th, we observe 40 years since the first reported cases of what later became known as #AIDS. Join us as we REFLECT on the past, REENERGIZE current efforts, REENGAGE partners, & RECOMMIT to #EndingHIVEpidemic. Learn more. www.hiv.gov/events/40-years-of-hiv #40yearsofHIV

Facebook #2: On June 5th, we observe 40 years of progress since the first reported cases of what later became known as #AIDS in @CDC’s Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). Join us as we REFLECT on the past, REENERGIZE current efforts, REENGAGE partners, and RECOMMIT to ending the HIV epidemic. Learn more. www.hiv.gov/events/40-years-of-hiv #40yearsofHIV

Instagram #2: On June 5th, we observe 40 years of progress since the first reported cases of what later became known as AIDS. Join us as we REFLECT on the past, REENERGIZE current efforts, REENGAGE partners, and RECOMMIT to ending the HIV epidemic. Learn more @HIVgov. www.hiv.gov/events/40-years-of-hiv #40yearsofHIV #EndHIVEpidemic #HIV #AIDS

Observance Event Ideas

Additional ideas to host a “40th Anniversary” observance event in your local community are listed below:

• Organize a virtual health resource fair:Reach out to local clinics and healthcare providers in your area that specialize in reproductive health or HIV prevention. Promote self-testing HIV kits as an alternative to traditional HIV testing fairs.
• Host a virtual panel discussion/social media chat with community leaders: Curate a candid conversation addressing stigma, sexual health, and HIV prevention. Identify local influencers, advocates, healthcare providers to participate in sharing their knowledge and experiences.
• Sponsor a virtual 5K run/walk: Encourage supporters to spread the word and participate in a virtual 5K. This is a great COVID-19 friendly, alternative to traditional run/walks. Invite neighboring businesses to match the mile pledge commitments with monetary donations towards HIV research and outreach.
• Honor local heroes for their contributions to end the HIV epidemic: Identify HIV leaders and trailblazers in the community who have made undeniable contributions towards ending the HIV epidemic. Honor them amongst family, friends, and the community with a virtual awards ceremony.
• Repost and share social media graphics from the asset library: Download and share the official “40th Anniversary” commemorative social media assets to spark social conversations and use the @HIVgov handle and #40YearsofHIV hashtag on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

“40th Anniversary” Commemorative Assets

HIV.gov has provided official “40th Anniversary” commemorative assets free and for public use. Download here.