Brazil Launches First Anti-AIDS Campaign For Homosexuals
Originally published by Reuters Health, June 5, 2002
SAO PAULO, Brazil (Reuters) — Brazil launched its first anti-AIDS campaign aimed specifically at homosexuals on Tuesday to fight a rising infection rate among young gay men.
Through one of the world's most aggressive AIDS prevention programs, Brazil has reduced HIV infection rates to 0.6% of the adult population. But it always avoided singling out homosexuals for fear of fueling discrimination.
"We have never wanted to reinforce that old stigma, that link between AIDS and homosexuality," said Paulo Teixeira, coordinator of Brazil's AIDS program. "But now the time has come to act."
The government campaign developed with gay rights activists aims to raise tolerance toward homosexuals 15 to 24 years of age, especially among health professionals, educators and parents.
In the centerpiece commercial to air on prime-time television, a young man who has troubles with his boyfriend receives support from his parents. The final slogan reads: "Respecting differences is as important as using a condom."
An ad for magazines says: "Use a condom with your boyfriend … that's something a father should say to his son."
"Homosexuals' self-esteem is one of the pillars of AIDS prevention," Oswaldo Braga, president of the Gay Movement of Minas Gerais, said. "That is why we battled for ads that would show the acceptance of families, colleagues and society."
The $1.2 million campaign will also show commercials in gay movie theaters, while pamphlets, posters and key rings will be distributed in gay clubs and bath houses by 80 gay activist groups.
Since 1996, the number of AIDS cases has grown among homosexual men in Brazil. Between 1996 and 2001, the rate of infection for gay men between 15 and 24 years of age grew 8.7% compared to 3.4% growth for those 25 to 34 years of age.
Braga says youths have let down their guard on safe sex in the era of the antiretroviral drug combinations that the government distributes free of charge.
"These adolescents have not been through what we have, when a person was infected, became skeletal, lost his hair, developed sores all over his body and then died," Braga said.
