Atrévete is the HIV/AIDS prevention and education program
for Latino men in King County. Entre Hermanos directs this
program targeting men who identify as gay, bisexual, transgender
and heterosexual who have sex with men.
Results are based on community outreach in bars, discotheques,
parks, bathhouses, telephone services, and most of all,
personalized services in our offices and social contact
venues.
Our objective is to educate and prevent the spread of sexually
transmitted diseases, raise awareness about HIV transmission,
reinforce the use of condoms for all sexual encounters,
and reduce high-risk sexual behaviors through workshops
and personal counseling. Through Atrévete, we are certain
of the capacity to develop an individual’s ability to negotiate
safer sex and understand the factors that lead to high-risk
situations.
Our activities seek to raise our pride and self-esteem
as a Latino LGBTQ community, especially to reduce the isolation
that confronts every immigrant upon facing new realities.
We seek to create a sense of identity through social mobilization,
community outreach, and the events carried-out at Entre
Hermanos throughout the year.
Enfrentando la Realidad (Facing Reality)
A component of Atrévete, it consists of monthly workshops
created to respond to questions about our sexuality. These
events target the entire Latino LGBTQ community, but specifically
address men who have sex with men. We seek to create a safe
space where any question is welcomed.
The goals of these workshops are:
- To promote correct use of condoms and prevent unprotected
anal sex.
- To raise awareness in the LGBTQ community of the advantages
of getting tested for HIV and to take control of its health.
- To provide a safe space, without prejudice or circumstances
that provoke a feeling of condemnation or censure.
- To create awareness and facilitate discussions about the
impact of HIV in our daily lives.
- To provide tools to empower the negotiation of condom
use in our sexual experiences.
- To discuss current events within a frame of social commitment,
respect for our differences and celebration of our similarities.
- Increase our self-esteem as part of the LGBTQ community.
Somos
Somos is part of the Atrévete program, created for and
by its participants. Its an emotional support group for
people who are HIV+ that gets together twice a month to
share information y build solidarity through communication,
where everyone learns from one another.
In these meeting, facilitated y Entre Hermanos staff or
invited, deal with diverse issues such as current treatment,
treatment adherence, and sexuality. The value of the Somos
group is found in the sharing of experiences and resources
in dealing with being HIV+.
The space where Somos is held is one of tolerance, respect,
solidarity, and the desire to create a moment of acceptance
and celebration of our sexual diversity. Somos represents
a possibility of reconciling the contradictions the every
human being encounters sometime in his/her lifetime when
faced with challenges and cultural barriers, such as unemployment,
homelessness, lack of transportation, and/or faith in the
system, along with denial of his/her own sexuality or internalized
homophobia
The work accomplished at each session allows for the easing
of tension and renewal of energies to manage daily life.
Somos also opens its doors for those affected indirectly
by any circumstances related to HIV/AIDS.
