Two boys playing Batman and Robin, two playing cops and robbers, and two playing tennis are the protagonists of the national awareness campaign for the fight and prevention of HIV/AIDS launched by Arcigay for December 1st of this year.
The campaign targets MSM, meaning men who have sex with men, with a direct message that finally involves both HIV-positive and HIV-negative people in the great team game of prevention. A game that, thanks to the use of condoms, lubricants, and dental barriers, should be experienced in every sexual encounter.
Thirty thousand postcards and three thousand posters bearing the slogan "Whoever you choose to play with, prevention is part of the game" will be distributed over the coming months, thanks to the energy of the association's local committees in Italian cities and towns and promoted through the Arcigay recreational network. This distribution will be supported by dozens of local awareness-raising, information, and educational initiatives.
The idea for this year's campaign was inspired by the reflections of participants in the experimental workshop "Designing Prevention," aimed at young LGBT people and carried out as part of the ECDC project, promoted by the Consulta delle Associazione per la lotta all'AIDS.
The campaign, which saw the participation of volunteers from the Arcigay Padova Committee, uses the theme of play as a metaphor for a sexuality lived serenely and far from fear, prejudice, and discrimination, thanks to the tools and resources offered by prevention.
The initiative also aims to emphasize that sexuality and relationship are everyone's rights, both for HIV-positive and HIV-negative people, and that prevention is a responsibility for both partners. In this regard, the association reiterates the importance of combating the many forms of discrimination and stigma that affect HIV-positive people, forcing many of them into invisibility.
“"We're moving in the Italian prevention desert," explains Paolo Patanè, national president of Arcigay, "with the institutions' total disinterest. It's no coincidence that national data tells us that over a third of new HIV diagnoses are in the advanced stages of the disease. We've repeatedly denounced this disaster, but have largely gone unheard. We expect the new government to rapidly change course.".
“Associations cannot replace the state in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and the lack of action in recent years, combined with cuts in healthcare spending, have led to a dangerous slowdown in the system,” adds Rebecca Zini, health manager for the association.
“"We strongly support the Rome Declaration, signed by more than 100 associations last July, which outlines a series of mandatory steps for our country regarding prevention, medical care, the fight against discrimination and the protection of rights, and global action to combat it. And the time to act is now," concludes Zini.
