Meet Cyd Nova

Cyd started political organizing during his early experiences in the sex trade, joining alongside other workers to pressure management into bettering conditions. After starting gender transition, he moved to San Francisco where he started volunteering at the St James Infirmary - a peer run clinic for current and former sex workers in San Francisco, CA. 

Because of his passion, and ability to connect with community members he was quickly hired and within two years became Harm Reduction Coordinator - managing a team of counselors, alongside providing testing and peer counseling services both within the clinic and at sex venues, street events, and strip clubs.

In 2012, he started organizing to commemorate the 25th anniversary of ACT UP, bringing together members from long disbanded chapters together with younger activists for a 300 people protest march informing the public on issues facing PLWHIV today. This intergenerational coalition continued to work together for creative and dynamic protests, reinvesting a younger generation in conversations about HIV.

From 2013-2016 Cyd worked as the Programs Director of St James Infirmary where he provided programmatic support, tripled the HIV testing numbers, successfully organized for a citywide ban on condoms as evidence, and guided the clinic through a change in location after an eviction from their space. From this role he brings extensive experience in conducting evaluations, writing reports, researching epidemiological data, and providing supervision.

In 2019 Cyd completed a Bachelors in Global Studies at The New School, graduating with honors. He has since been working alongside Cecilia for Trans Equity Consulting as consultant and facilitator, providing material creation and administrative support services.