As in years past, SETAC, Puerto Vallarta’s LGBTQ Community Center, will implement a prevention and education strategy during Semana Santa, Mexico’s Spring Break equivalent, with the goal of reducing HIV and other sexually-transmitted infections in Jalisco’s Coastal Region and Banderas Bay. “We know that many tourists flock to Puerto Vallarta during this time of year,” commented Community Center Director, Paco Arjona. With our campaign, titled “The Condom, Your Best Lifesaver,” we hope to distribute thousands of condoms delivered by Jalisco’s AIDS Prevention Committee, along with leaflets with information about sexual responsibility.”
This year, SETAC will establish a volunteer-based information booth at Lazaro Cardenas Park from Thursday, March 29 to Saturday, March 31, 11 am – 5 pm, where visitors and locals will be have access to rapid HIV testing, and information about the diverse activities that take place at the Community Center. In addition, volunteers will be distributing free condoms and information along Los Muertos Beach throughout those days. “Our volunteers will be easy to identify, thanks to a new t-shirt we designed for this campaign,” added Arjona. During the evening of Friday, March 30, said volunteers will also visit LGBTQ establishments in Emiliano Zapata, distributing condoms. “Our goal is to distribute 50,000 condoms. In order to achieve this goal, we are inviting local residents to join as volunteers. More information is available in SETAC’s website, www.setac.com.mx.”
SETAC has a Community Center located at Aldanaca 178, 4A&B (at the corner with Viena) in Colonia Versalles, where you can schedule an appointment for an HIV or syphilis test. SETAC also offers sexual health-related counseling services, along with a variety of cultural and recreational activities to strengthen the local LGBTQ community. For more information, please visit SETAC’s website at www.setac.com.mx, call (322) 224-1974, send an email at [email protected], or follow the organization on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SETACtucentro.
