Tonight, we bring you a story that touches the heart of our community — a story of science, survival, and long-awaited hope. The FDA has just approved Yeztugo, the brand name for lenacapavir, a new HIV prevention drug from Gilead Sciences. It’s a twice-a-year injection — just two discrete shots — that offers near-complete protection against HIV.
Let that sink in: two shots a year. No daily pills. No monthly reminders. Just two injections every six months — and you’re protected. This is being hailed as the closest thing we’ve ever had to an HIV vaccine. As Dr. John Brooks, former chief medical officer at the CDC’s HIV prevention division, put it: “It really could be a game changer, particularly in areas heavily affected by HIV.”
Imagine what this means for a young queer person in Liberty City, or a trans woman in Wilton Manors, or a Black gay man in Overtown — people who’ve been told they’re ‘At risk’ their whole lives. People who’ve been left behind by the healthcare system. People who deserve better. And South Florida is one of those areas. We know the numbers.
We’ve seen the impact — especially among Black and Latino gay and bisexual men, transgender women, and young queer people who often face barriers to care, stigma, and systemic neglect. But obstacles remain. As STAT reports, the drug still faces Trump-era policy hurdles and questions of equitable access. Yeztugo is not just a medical breakthrough. It’s privacy. It’s dignity. It’s freedom. And we must fight to make sure this hope reaches everyone.
