Sean Strub: Championing Healthcare Policies Through Activism

Sean Strub, a seasoned activist in the LGBTQ and HIV spheres, recently organized a series of events called Seven Days in June, alongside fellow advocate Cleve Jones. This initiative aimed to spotlight changes in healthcare policies and funding while proposing a direction for future improvements. Strub is widely recognized for his role in founding POZ magazine in 1994, at a time when the AIDS crisis personally threatened his well-being.

Throughout his diverse career, Sean Strub has not only contributed to activism but also to local governance, having served as the mayor of Milford, Pennsylvania, from 2016 to 2024. In a conversation with POZ contributing writer Tim Murphy, Strub reflected on his varied endeavors and shared insights into his past and ongoing contributions.

Strub recently stepped back from several roles, including as a hotel owner and a leader of the Sero Project, an organization he cofounded to combat HIV-related discrimination. Now residing part-time in Mérida, Mexico, with his long-term partner Javier Morales, Strub engages in less pressing commitments.

Sean Strub recounted how Seven Days in June emerged in response to a perceived decline in support for AIDS-related policies. The initiative involved coordinated local events and nationwide vigils to raise awareness of significant cuts to healthcare funding, including Medicaid, and their potential impact.

With a backdrop of political and social challenges, Strub draws parallels between past and present administrations, noting differences in governmental attitudes toward the HIV community across decades. Despite such challenges, Strub remains hopeful for legislative progress that could reverse detrimental policy changes.

Strub's involvement in the AIDS community is deeply rooted; in the mid-'90s, he launched POZ using funds from a viatical settlement, providing a platform for individuals living with HIV to share their experiences and perspectives. Though he sold POZ in 2004, he acknowledges its continued significance and evolving presence in the community.

As he reflects on his tenure as Milford's mayor, Strub highlights efforts to engage citizens in civic responsibilities and foster local improvements. Recognizing the importance of local focus in political campaigns, he shares that community involvement remains a central theme in achieving governance goals. Today, Sean Strub embraces a more settled lifestyle, with work no longer looming with urgent demands. His life's path, marked by diverse roles and advocacy, underscores a pursuit of service that transcends traditional career trajectories.