Hi, I’m Ryan Alvey.

I’m a public advocate, HIV+ activist, and founder of the Positive Change Movement—a grassroots initiative working to center people living with HIV, demand accountability in HIV services, and dismantle the systems that harm our communities.

After being denied employment by the only HIV service provider in my area because of my HIV status, I filed a formal complaint. Both the EEOC and the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights found cause and issued formal charges—something that rarely happens.

But since speaking out, I’ve faced:

Professional blacklisting
Retaliation from organizations that receive public funding
Ongoing harm simply for demanding justice and transparency

This isn’t just about me. It’s about racism, homophobia, transphobia, serophobia, classism, and ageism—and how they continue to show up in public health spaces.

It’s about every person who’s been denied, silenced, or retaliated against for living with HIV, being in recovery, or speaking truth to power.

What Your Support Will Fund:

$275 – IRS application fee for 501(c)(3) status for Positive Change Movement
$275 – Initial retainer for Biesecker, Dutkanych & Macer, LLC, the civil rights law firm representing me
$275/month – Ongoing legal support to fight retaliation and hold systems accountable

Why It Matters:

Too many HIV service organizations talk equity—but behind the scenes, people with lived experience are excluded, tokenized, or punished for challenging the system.

We are not broken. The system is.

That’s why I created the Positive Change Movement:

To put power back in the hands of people actually living with HIV—and to build something better.

How You Can Help:

Donate what you can—every dollar truly helps
Share this campaign with your network
Stand with us in building a future led by those most impacted

This is more than advocacy. This is survival.

With gratitude and solidarity,

Ryan Alvey

Founder, Positive Change Movement

www.positivechangemovement.org

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By Positive Change Movement

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