Community Spotlight: Erie County HIV Task Force

by Gary Snyder and Bobbie Fenno

Erie County HIV Task Force hosted the 8th Annual HIV/AIDS Awareness Walk on May 19, 2025.

Since the earliest days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Erie County has been directly impacted. The first local case was reported in December 1986, and by then, those diagnosed nationwide were surviving an average of just 15 months. Over the years, a number of support and advocacy groups have worked to raise awareness, support those living with HIV, and fight stigma. Out of this history, the Erie County HIV Task Force was formed in 2014 to carry that work forward. The group brings together HIV testing and treatment providers, volunteers, and advocates to increase awareness of HIV, its treatment, and prevention.

The Erie County HIV Task Force was founded by a coalition of community leaders - Kelly Kidd and Steven Malinchik from Community Health Net, Sylvia Holland and Laura Beckes from the Erie County Department of Health, Lynn Laurence from the PA Department of Health, Matt Robison from NW PA Pride Alliance, and Michael Mahler from Erie Gay News and NW PA Pride Alliance. The group is chaired by the Erie County Department of Health and serves the entire county, which covers over 270,000 residents.

The Task Force hosts several signature events each year. World AIDS Day, observed annually on December 1, is a memorial honoring those lost and a call to action for continued awareness. Since 2018, the group has also organized the HIV Awareness Walk, typically held in May, and members are a regular presence at local LGBTQ+ events such as Erie Pride Fest and the Pride Picnic.

Looking ahead, the Task Force is preparing to launch a new initiative in late 2025 to increase awareness of HIV PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis). This project will provide vital resources to both healthcare providers and the public about what steps to take if someone believes they may have been exposed to HIV.

The Erie County HIV Task Force meets monthly to discuss local and statewide HIV initiatives, share updates, and plan outreach. Community members are encouraged to get involved, whether through volunteering, attending events, or simply helping to spread awareness.

Learn more at echiv.org, follow on Facebook at facebook.com/EriePAHIV, or on Instagram at instagram.com/EriePAHIV.