Today is World AIDS Day, a date that each year painfully reminds us that the fight against this disease is far from over. Latinos are especially at risk in this country. According to the Latino Comission on AIDS, in our community “social stigma, poverty, language barriers, immigration status fears, and access to care deter testing and increase the infection rate. Over 200,000 Latinos living in the U.S. and Puerto Rico are living with HIV/AIDS. […] Latinos constitute 14% of the U.S. population but account for over 20% of the AIDS cases.”
What can you do? Get tested, practice safe sex, raise awareness, volunteer.
There are several events going on around town this week that are related to AIDS awareness, such as Red Hot + Rio 2 at BAM on Thursday and Friday, where artists such as Ceu (above), Jose Gonzalez, Bebel Gilberto and Curumin will perform. Part of the funds will go BrazilFoundation’s AIDS-related projects.
At the Queens Museum of Art, The Framing AIDS exhibit will be on view until mid December, feautring mixed media works by artists such as Sofia Maldonado, Antonio Ortuño, and Ryan Rivera. The Framing AIDS program also includes film screenings and more this week.