As the World AIDS day came and went I could not help but wonder—What is the next step? And the next step came in the official statement released by the Obama-Biden Transition Team. The statement was brief and simple: it proclaimed the administration’s commitments to development and implementation of a comprehensive National HIVAIDS strategy. This comprehensive strategy will be aimed at reducing HIV infections, increasing access to treatment and care and reducing HIV/AIDS-related health disparities.

Both domestic and international HIV/AIDS policies were addressed with a promise to not only reduce new infections, but also improve treatment throughout the United States—especially among communities of color—the communities, which are disproportionately infected by the pandemic. A commitment was made to reducing stigma that surrounds HIV/AIDS and the promotion of open and honest conversations about the epidemic. And finally, a pledge was made to have access to comprehensive age-appropriate sex education for all school age children.

Although, the released statement was broad in its nature and the only concrete policy change it addressed was that of comprehensive sex education—I consider it to be a giant step forward. This statement alone, from the administration that was not yet sworn into the White House yet, has given reproductive rights and justice advocates around the world a lot to look forward to. It has given us hope, that all policy changes we have been fighting for are possible and can be accomplished in the near future.

Now, although this press release is worthy of a celebration, it is important to note that our work here is not done yet. There is still the need for a national strategy for HIV/AIDS prevention, the removal of the Gag Rule and the Prostitution Pledge that are attached to PEPFAR, the complete removal of the Travel Ban, as well as an increase in funding for international family planning programs.

And with some time and a whole lot of patience, I am convinced that I will see the day when I, a reproductive rights and justice advocate, will have nothing to advocate for. Now, that will be a day that will call for a true celebration.