Encuentro is a three-day convening of LGBTQ Latinx Southerners and allies to improve the healthcare capacity and build bridges between emerging multi-racial and multi-lingual Southern Latinx communities and their kindred.
Our convening features panel presentations, workshops, and keynote speakers that will focus on wellness in the Latinx community as part of our linguistic, sexual, and financial health.
This year's Encuentro will be hosted in San Antonio, Texas on October 25-27, 2023.
Encuentro is a three-day convening of LGBTQ Latinx Southerners and allies to improve the healthcare capacity and build bridges between emerging multi-racial and multi-lingual Southern Latinx communities and their kindred.
Our convening features panel presentations, workshops, and keynote speakers that will focus on wellness in the Latinx community as part of our linguistic, sexual, and financial health.
This year's Encuentro will be hosted in Durham, NC on October 28-30, 2026.
We created an informative video for community looking for more information regarding our conference including the scholarship applications, submitting workshop proposals, and becoming an advisory board member.
Registration
We expect Latinx LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies from across the Southeast to strategize and envision new possibilities for the South. Our Encuentro is focused on strengthening the work and skills of attendees but it is also a celebration of the resiliency and determination of our communities.
Registration for 2023 will open soon.
Registration is now open.
For questions, email encuentro@latinoaids.org.
For travel planning:
Pre-institute programming will begin the morning of October 28.
General registration and regular programming will begin that afternoon.
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El registro ya está abierto.
Para preguntas, escribe a encuentro@latinoaids.org.
Para propósitos de viaje:
La programación previa al instituto comenzará en la mañana del 28 de octubre.
El registro general y la programación regular comenzarán esa misma tarde.
Sponsorship
Your sponsorship of Encuentro 2026 supports building spaces designed for LGBTQ+ Latinx southern Health advocates to encourage the growth, mobilization, and development of regional health agendas.
For questions or more information, contact us at encuentro@latinoaids.org
The Encuentro would not be possible without the support from our corporate and community sponsors. Sponsors help us create spaces for mobilization, capacity building, and co-learning for Latinx LGBTQ individuals and allies from across the South.
Scholarships
We expect Latinx LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies from across the Southeast to strategize and envision new possibilities for the South. Our Encuentro is focused on strengthening the work and skills of attendees but it is also a celebration of the resiliency and determination of our communities.
Registration for 2023 will open soon.
Support for Encuentro is available for individuals interested in attending. Special priority will be given to people of color living with HIV in the South, Latino Commission on AIDS leadership institute participants, and Southern LGBTQ individuals. We will also give priority to participants who can attend for the entirety of the Encuentro.
Recipients may receive one, all, or a combination of the following:
- Registration support
- Transportation support
- Hotel Accommodations
Deadline to submit the scholarship application:
August 6, 2026, at 11:59pm
Should you have any questions, please contact us at encuentro@latinoaids.org
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El apoyo para asistir a Encuentro está disponible para personas interesadas en participar. Se dará prioridad especial a las personas de color que viven con VIH en el Sur de los Estados Unidos, a los participantes del Instituto de Liderazgo de la Comisión Latina sobre el SIDA (Latino Commission on AIDS) y a personas LGBTQ+ del Sur. También se dará prioridad a quienes puedan asistir durante todo el Encuentro.
Las personas seleccionadas podrán recibir uno, varios o una combinación de los siguientes apoyos:
Inscripción al Encuentro
Apoyo para transporte
Hospedaje en el hotel
Fecha límite para enviar la solicitud de beca:
6 de agosto de 2026 a las 11:59 p. m.
Si tiene preguntas por favor comuníquese con nosotras a: encuentro@latinoaids.org
Abstract Proposals
Workshops or presentations should include a description of a maximum of 250 words and should contain learning objectives (what the audience will learn), process, and/or conclusions. Sessions should include at least one of the following themes: Protecting Public Benefits, Expanding Prevention, Building Organizational Capacity, Criminalization & Community Defense.
- Protecting Public Benefits proposals can include topics such as immigrants and ADAP, gender justice, Trans health, reproductive justice, and Medicaid.
- Expanding Prevention proposals can include topics such as health care access and PrEP in pharmacies, advocacy,
- Building Organizational Capacity proposals can include topics such as organizational development and management, financial sustainability, and grant writing.
- Criminalization & Community Defense can include topics such as LGBTQ rights, reproductive health, and immigration
Deadline to submit an abstract is August 6, 2026.
Should you have any questions, please contact us at encuentro@latinoaids.org
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Los talleres o presentaciones deben incluir una descripción de máximo 250 palabras y deben contener objetivos de aprendizaje (lo que la audiencia aprenderá), el proceso y/o las conclusiones. Las sesiones deben abordar al menos uno de los siguientes temas:Protegiendo beneficios públicos, Ampliación de la Prevención, Construyendo Capacidad Organizativa, Criminalización y Defensa Comunitaria.
- Las propuestas para proteger los beneficios públicos pueden abarcar temas como los inmigrantes y el programa ADAP, la justicia de género, la salud de las personas trans, la justicia reproductiva y Medicaid.
- Las propuestas para ampliar la prevención pueden incluir temas como el acceso a la atención médica y la PrEP en farmacias, así como la defensa de derechos.
- Las propuestas para fortalecer la capacidad organizacional pueden abordar temas como el desarrollo y la gestión de la organización, la sostenibilidad financiera y la redacción de solicitudes de subvención.
- Los temas relacionados con la criminalización y la defensa comunitaria pueden incluir los derechos LGBTQ, la salud reproductiva y la inmigración.
Fecha límite para enviar la solicitud de beca:
6 de agosto de 2026 a las 11:59 p. m.
Si tiene preguntas por favor comuníquese con nosotras a: encuentro@latinoaids.org
The Encuentro would not be possible without the support from our corporate and community sponsors. Sponsors help us create spaces for mobilization, capacity building, and co-learning for Latinx LGBTQ individuals and allies from across the South.
The Encuentro will take place at the 21c Museum Hotel
111 Corcoran St
Durham, NC 27701
Room rate is $179/night
Parking & Directions
Coming soon.
Agenda
Our ENCUENTRO 2026 team recognizes that the health of our communities depends on centering the most afflicted and affected among us. We are committed to doing what we can to ensure the most accessible experience for all.
scholarships + support | becas y apoyo
Each year we provide a number of scholarships and support for attendees to attend and participate at the Encuentro. Please review the requirements above as support is prioritized for Southern participants living with HIV.
Cada año ofrecemos varias becas y apoyos para que personas puedan asistir y participar en el Encuentro. Por favor, revisa los requisitos anteriores, ya que el apoyo se prioriza para participantes del Sur que viven con VIH.
safety
This year, we are taking additional precautions to protect participants but encourage all participants to assess their own risk while traveling and attending the Encuentro. All of our plenaries will be offered as hybrid sessions for those who prefer not to attend. Please review our Know Your Rights memo to ensure you are prepared to travel to Durham.
Este año, estamos tomando precauciones adicionales para proteger a les participantes, pero animamos a todes a evaluar su propio riesgo al viajar y asistir al Encuentro. Todas nuestras plenarias se ofrecerán en formato híbrido para quienes prefieran no asistir de manera presencial. Por favor revise nuestro memorando de Conozca Sus Derechos para asegurarse de que está preparadx para viajar a Durham.
language justice
This year, we will continue to ensure that all our sessions are available with English and Spanish interpretation.
gender neutral restrooms
Gender neutral facilities will be available to our conference attendees
covid-19
Our commitment to health and accessibility includes the provision of masks and COVID-19 tests for participants as they arrive to the Encuentro. For the health and safety of our guests, the Latino Commission on AIDS encourages participants to be vaccinated with the latest COVID-19 booster.
We request that if any individual is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 not attend the event due to the risk of exposing others
Our Encuentro Sponsors
Thank you for your support!
Presented By
arcoíris | rainbow
aliade | ally
madrina & padrino
Photos from This Year's Event