Brian Ackerman worked as International Policy Manager at Advocates for Youth and is now pursuing a masters degree in Brazil. Advocates for Youth. Young and openly gay, Brian understands the gravity of the disproportionate effects that HIV/AIDS has had on sexual minorities. He also understands that on the global scale, the story is no different: HIV has hit hardest the countries most marginalized in the international system. He sees his position on the International Youth Leadership Council as his platform to challenge those in power—policymakers, business leaders, social icons—to stop making decisions for young people and instead inform young people to help them learn how to make decisions for themselves.