A day of health and art at Palazzo Venezia: free rapid testing, theater, and a visual exhibition. The city's PrEP Point project has begun. The goal is to intercept the undetected population and combat late diagnoses.
Naples, November 28, 2025 – On the eve of World AIDS Day, Antinoo Arcigay Naples calls citizens to rally with the initiative “stART & Test – HIV and Syphilis”, scheduled for December 1st at Palazzo Venezia (Via Benedetto Croce 19), from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM. An event that combines prevention and the fight against stigma with art, organized as part of the project CARE Peer Support Acting ART, in collaboration with Vesuvius Pride, the support of WeTest by ARCO and the unconditional contribution of ViiV Healthcare. Throughout the event live drawings by the artist and tattoo artist Anna Zaza, from 8.30 pm the theatrical performance “If I had known” will be performed by Domenico Salierno and it will be possible to visit the satellite photographic exhibition “There's no single way to band” of Savior proposed by the association Discovery Queer.
Naples and Campania lead the way for new MSM diagnoses: emergency or awareness?
The ISS 2024 report highlights that the Campania It is the fourth region in terms of number of cases (198), but holds the record for the percentage of diagnoses attributable to MSM (Men who have sex with men): The 53,3% against a national average of 41.6%. The figure rises further in the city of Naples, where it touches the 60,9%.
“Let us read these data with great responsibility, but without giving in to alarmism,” declare the health representatives of Antinoo Arcigay Naples. “If we're seeing such a high percentage of diagnoses in the MSM community in Naples, it's probably also because the community testing system here works. Unlike the heterosexual population, who often seek testing late and only when they have symptoms (so-called 'late presenters,' who account for 66.51 TP3T among heterosexual men), our community tests more and earlier. Intercepting the infection means addressing it immediately, making the virus non-transmissible (U=U) and breaking the chain of infection.‘
The data confirm that the highest rate of "recent infections" is recorded among MSM (22,3%): sign of active viral circulation, but also of a greater propensity for early diagnosis which helps prevent full-blown AIDS.
THE DECEMBER 1ST EVENT WITH VIIV: ART AND PREVENTION
To continue this work of bringing the hidden world to light, on December 1st Palazzo Venezia will be transformed into a health and cultural center.
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Testing: From 4pm to 11pm it will be possible to make rapid, anonymous and free tests for HIV and Syphilis, assisted by infectious disease doctors (thanks to the collaboration requested from the’Colli Hospital Trust – Cotugno Hospital), psychologists and peer supporter.
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Show: In parallel, a visual arts exhibition created by the students of the De Chirico Art High School from Torre Annunziata and people living with HIV. An emotional journey to share the evolution of the fight against the virus, combat stigma, and promote new frontiers in prevention (PrEP, TasP). Participants will receive a gift from the pastry shop and taralleria. Leopold and a small work of art made on site.
- Show satellite: “There's no single way to band” by Savior proposed by the association Discovery Queer.
YEAR-ROUND COMMITMENT WITH WETEST AND THE NEW “PrEP POINT” WITH GILEAD
The commitment of Antinoo Arcigay Napoli, active since 1984, is not limited to the December anniversary. The association announces the launch of a new project funded by the Gilead Community Award: “PrEP, Tests and Peer Support”. The goal for 2025 is ambitious: to promote new forms of combined prevention by creating a PrEP Point structured, strengthening widespread testing in LGBTQIA+ gathering places and offering peer support.
“"The challenge for the new year is clear: ensuring everyone has access to testing and PrEP. The numbers from Naples tell us that there's a growing demand for healthcare that we must address with increasingly accessible and non-judgmental services."” concludes the association.
The event enjoys the moral patronage of the Municipality of Naples and of the’Colli Hospital Company.
