The Saving Ourselves Symposium (SOS) is an annual conference designed to educate and empower the Black LGBTQ+ community in the South.
Black LGBTQ+ community members, service providers, advocates, and leaders in the South · August 20-23, 2026 · $150 conference registration (regular rate, April 1 – August 23); Gala only $75; Soulful Queer Brunch $50
From southernaidscoalition.org/sos-conference ↗Founded in 2013 by Marvell L. Terry II and the Red Door Foundation, SOS is a one-of-a-kind space built for and by the community; where cutting-edge research, promising health practices, and cultural celebration meet under one roof. In 2020, the Southern AIDS Coalition became the proud home of SOS.
SOS 2026 carries that legacy forward under the theme Collective Action for Collective Impact ; a call to move beyond conversation and into coordinated strategy, shared accountability, and cross-sector collaboration. This is an intentional, irreplaceable space for community members, service providers, advocates, and leaders to share with, learn from, and celebrate one another.
Join us for dynamic plenaries, skills-building workshops, strategic planning sessions, cultural celebrations, and intentional networking - all in the heart of the South.
Conference Registration Rate. Dates: April 1 – August 23. Cost: $150
Venue: Atlanta Marriott Northwest at Galleria
Conference Rate: $129/night. Booking Deadline: August 10, 2026
All conference registrations include a ticket to the Gala and Brunch.
Capacity Building AssistanceFreeThe Southern AIDS Coalition provides trainings and technical assistance to community-based organizations, government agencies, and healthcare delivery entities across the South.
Leadership Development & EducationHere at SAC, we are committed to building that next generation of effective and resilient leaders. That's why we developed a series of trainings by and for Southerners living with HIV.
Policy & AdvocacyWe are working with allies across the South to demand real change, standing up for things like affordable health care, common-sense prevention strategies, and basic human rights.