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Beyond the High: Evolving Harm Reduction Strategies for Chemsex in Black Queer Communities
What if harm reduction wasn’t just about safety, but also about pleasure, freedom, and joy? This workshop reimagines harm reduction as a tool for empowerment, offering culturally responsive strategies for substance use and sexual health that center Black queer experiences. Attendees will explore practical, judgment-free strategies for navigating chemsex safely—ones that honor desire, connection, and well-being. Participants will also discover community-driven solutions that move beyond stigma toward healing and liberation.


Rest as Resistance: Self-Care for Change Makers | 5 Things in 15 Min Bonus Clip
In this bonus clip from 5 Things in 15 Minutes, hosted by Bernadette Smith (she/her), CEO of The Equality Institute, I share my personal approach to self-care as a change maker. We dive into the importance of rest as resistance, how I prioritize rest in my routine, and why it’s essential for sustaining our work in social change. We also touch on what brings me joy — with a special focus on community and connection.

From Unprepared to Unstoppable: Daniel's Journey from HIV Diagnosis to Advocacy
"Why did you create The Bros in Convo Initiative?"
In this heartfelt conversation with Koiya, Daniel shares the journey of creating The Bros in Convo Initiative—an intentional, brave space for Black gay and queer folk.
In this heartfelt conversation with Koiya, Daniel shares the journey of creating The Bros in Convo Initiative—an intentional, brave space for Black gay and queer folk.

Inside Conversion Therapy: An 8-Year-Old’s Trauma Unpacked
"What did conversion therapy look like for you?"
In this heartfelt conversation with Daniel shares his experience of enduring conversion therapy while navigating his queerness. We unpack the trauma, resilience, and healing that followed.
In this heartfelt conversation with Daniel shares his experience of enduring conversion therapy while navigating his queerness. We unpack the trauma, resilience, and healing that followed.

Surviving Gay Conversion Therapy at 8 & Turning an HIV diagnosis Into a Catalyst for Change
"Daniel, you never really talk about your childhood..."
In this heartfelt conversation with Koiya, Daniel opens up about growing up as a queer boy in church—enduring conversion therapy and ultimately finding healing.
In this heartfelt conversation with Koiya, Daniel opens up about growing up as a queer boy in church—enduring conversion therapy and ultimately finding healing.


Twin Tragedies Inspired This Activist to Start “Bros in Convo”―a Group Just for Black Queer Folks
Downer was diagnosed with HIV. He was inspired to get tested by a transgender client at the social-services provider where he worked part time.


5 Tips on How to Embrace Inclusivity in Dating
This Pride Month we spoke with Daniel J. Downer, a GLAAD Award-winning community activist and DEI expert. Daniel shared his advice on how we can all embrace the beauty of our own diverse identities and foster inclusivity in our dating lives while challenging assumptions and biases that may hinder us from forming genuine connections.


5 Tips on How to Navigate Love Across Generations
Dating someone significantly older or younger can be a rewarding experience, but it also comes with unique challenges. Daniel J. Downer shared practical tips to help you overcome the challenges of intergenerational dating to make your relationship work.


How Airbnb, Grindr, Lyft & More Are Leveling Up DEI | 5 Things in 15 Min
In this episode of 5 Things in 15 Minutes, hosted by Bernadette Smith (she/her), CEO of The Equality Institute, I join the conversation as a guest to explore how brands like Airbnb, Grindr, Lyft, Planet Fitness, and Sweetgreen are raising the bar on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
We break down what these companies are doing right, why it matters, and how corporate DEI efforts can truly make an impact in communities.
We break down what these companies are doing right, why it matters, and how corporate DEI efforts can truly make an impact in communities.


2024 Watermark Awards for Variety and Excellence - Favorite Local Influencer in Central Florida
Central Florida celebrates the 2024 WAVEs


Community Advocates Give Updates on Fight to Break Stigma and End HIV Epidemic
In partnership with the Gilead COMPASS Initiative, here’s a look at the realities, wins and challenges our grassroots partners are facing in their communities, from Texas to Florida and Alabama, among others.


The OUT100 Readers' Choice Finalists Are Here
OUT readers poured hundreds of submissions for the annual OUT100 Readers' Choice category. And the finalists are in!
Below are the 10 most-nominated LGBTQ+ people — from influencers to activists, to performers, to artists — who have made a positive impact in 2023.
Below are the 10 most-nominated LGBTQ+ people — from influencers to activists, to performers, to artists — who have made a positive impact in 2023.

This Pride Month Be a Better Ally
In a time when communities nationwide are experiencing an onslaught of homophobia, inequality, racism, transphobia, and other forms of dehumanization it is crucial more than ever before for some of us to transform our allyship from “performative allyship” — or passive displays of support primarily focused on ourselves to intentional demonstrations of solidarity and support of others.

Performative allyship is the biggest pitfall to social justice and we need to solve it.
With the push for diversity, equity, and inclusion bustling now more than ever, also comes a bevy of threats to the cause — and performative allyship is just one of them.

Reforming Philanthropy With a Racial and Social Equity Lens
The coronavirus gradually spread throughout the world this year and altered many aspects of our lives.

Dear white People. Here is how you can help.
How white people can be better allies to the Black Community during times like this.


Why Criminalizing COVID-19 Would Only Hurt Public Health
Coronavirus (COVID-19) has become an unprecedented public health emergency—both in its rapid spread and the sweeping nature of some of the measures the federal and state governments have taken in response to it.

Once again, I am having to update “the talk” I have with my young men
Police cars are not the only thing we have to be on the lookout for.


Five Ways to Improve Diversity and Inclusion in Your HIV Service Organization
Acknowledging intersectionality -- the reality that we live within a system of overlapping and interdependent privileges and disadvantages -- is a first step toward truly addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion at HIV service organizations.


Three Signs Your HIV/AIDS Organization Has a Racism Problem
There are many ways racism can show up in the workplace. But often, the most difficult one to address is tokenism.


POZ 100: Celebrating Black Advocates
Daniel J. Downer POZ 100 Honoree


Transportation Equity and Its Connections to HIV
Transportation Equity or the ability to move across your community has become ever important. Transportation equity must be incorporated into our everyday conversations, whether it is to your HIV provider, affordable grocery store, or safe-green space to exercise. Daniel J. Downer and Daniel D. Driffin discuss strategies to improve transportation equity and improve health outcomes.


5 Things in 15 Minutes/Equity
Daniel J. Downer and Bernadette Smith recap 5 good things happening in the world of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).


5 Things in 15 Minutes/Getting it Right
Daniel J. Downer and Bernadette Smith recap 5 good things happening in the world of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
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