A total of 2,900 HIV positive people live in the state of Sinaloa
Sinaloa, Mexico (December 1, 2020).- The Congress of the State of Sinaloa and the City Councils of Ahome and Culiacán were lit up with scarlet light, while in Mazatlan the monument to La Perla del Pacifico and Al Pescador, were painted red to commemorate the International Day of the Fight Against HIV, this in order to make Sinaloans aware of the importance of preventing this disease, but above all respect and non-discrimination of the HIV-positive population.
As representatives of the population of Sexual Diversity Omar Lizárraga, representing the Support Group for People Living with HIV; Leo Rubio and Nohe Soto, members of Inclusive Sinaloa, met at the legislative palace and city hall of Culiacán; while in Ahome, Juan Ruiz and Ana Esparza, members of Ahome Diverso did the same; being Joseph Moreno and Riesa Miranda, as well as the Colectivo De Activistas LGBT y Sinaloa Trans who were present in the event at the Pearl of the Pacific.
The lighting of the buildings that house the municipal executive and state legislative powers represents a historical fact, as it is the first time that the symbolic red light has been shed upon these buildings. Red has been designated as the emblematic color of the fight against HIV.
The organizations that participated in this activity reported that there are 2,900 people living with HIV in the state of Sinaloa, who deserve to live without stigma and without discrimination, since this disease does not discriminate based on sexual orientation, race, sex or religion.
At the local level, in 2020, the phrase “Because I love myself, I take care of myself” was established to raise awareness among young people of the importance of using protection methods such as condoms to prevent the sexual transmission of the virus.
They also explained that a person with HIV who receives treatment can lead a full life without presenting a risk of transmission since seropositive patients who take their antiretrovirals are classified as nontransmissible.
This day was commemorated for the first time on December 1st, 1988. Since then, millions of people on the planet have died from AIDS-related diseases, making it one of the most destructive epidemics in mankind’s history.
