Youth Market

The rate of HIV infection among young Latinos is a serious problem, but raising this population’s awareness about the disease doesn’t have to be dull and downbeat.

“Our mode of outreach has to be very fun and engaging,” says Dianna Manjarrez, program coordinator for Generation L, a HIV awareness and prevention campaign run by the Vida/SIDA project of Chicago’s Puerto Rican Cultural Center.

Launched last December with a five-year grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Generation L seeks to spread the safer-sex message with events held at nightclubs, in conjunction with drag pageants at colleges and universities, and in other fun venues throughout the city. Its primary target is gay, bisexual, and transgender Latinos aged 18 to 24.

Go to HIVPlusMag.com for more on Generation L