Youth Market: A Chicago Prevention Campaign Works to Reach a High-Risk Minority Group

Gay, bisexual, and transgender Latinos ages 18 to 24 are the targets of “Generation L,” an HIV prevention campaign run by the Vida/SIDA project of Chicago’s Puerto Rican Cultural Center.

“Our mode of outreach has to be very fun and engaging,” said Dianna Manjarrez, program coordinator for Generation L. The effort was launched in December with a five-year grant from CDC, whose data show that the HIV infection rate among Latinos in 2009 was two-and-a-half times the rate of white men. Men who have sex with men comprised the majority of new HIV infections among Latinos, with the 13-29 age group most heavily affected. The HIV infection rate among Latinas was more than four times that of white women.

A cultural reluctance to discuss sexual matters may partly explain HIV’s disproportionate impact on Hispanics, some observers say. Generation L seeks to make these conversations easier by distributing safer-sex information at recreational events and “business-and-pleasure” mixers like Pride’s “Loud & Proud,” which featured information on HIV, plus food and prizes.

In addition to periodic meetings where safe-sex issues are discussed, Generation L hosts a drop-in space during the week. Participants are encouraged to do their own outreach to family and friends to facilitate healthy decision-making. So far, some 300 people have taken part, Manjarrez said.

The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.

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