S.O.S. Makes A Roaring Return!
On Dec. 1, 2025, Columbia Research Unit hosted its first installment of Save Our Sex since the pre-pandemic days. An event centered on panel discussion, S.O.S. 2025 also featured drag performances and a complimentary three-course dinner for attendees.
Hosted by Queen Mum of Vaccine Stella D’oro at Lips, the evening’s program included show-stopping numbers by Queen of Vaccine Sabel Scities and Mx. Vaccine-O-Licious 20 AriaJae; a raffle for prizes including smart TVs; and a special video message from Dr. Demetre Daskalakis.
The focal point of the program—sponsored by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, ViiV Healthcare, Gilead, and AIDS Healthcare Foundation—were two panels on current affairs related to HIV.
The first panel, “Fostering Discourse Between People with and Without HIV in the Age of Social Media”, was moderated by Sabel Scities and featured five panelists: AriaJae; AHF’s Jomil Luna; therapist and influencer Damon Jacobs; author Maggie Kneip; and actor, writer, director, and influencer Joseph Kibler.
The second panel, “HIV Biomedical Achievements and the Current Research Spectrum”, was moderated by AVAC’s John Meade and also featured five panelists: Dr. Debbie Theodore of CRU, Dr. Jorge Soler of Precision AQ, Columbus Gaskins of the CRU Community Advisory Board, Kemi Sosanya of Gilead, and Jullet Roberts of ViiV Healthcare.
An exuberant evening of community engagement and thought-provoking conversation, S.O.S. 2025 marked a memorable return for CRU’s signature discourse-focused event series that brings topical discussion of HIV-related issues to community members of all backgrounds.
Keep an eye on CRU’s social media (Instagram, Facebook, X) for announcements on future events!
