Fortaleciendo la Diversidad (FID), a community-based organisation of transgenders from San Luis PotosÃ, Mexico, has been specially recognised in the 2008 Red Ribbon Awards (http://www.redribbonaward.org/)for their efforts in fighting HIV. FID was selected as the winner of the promoting human rights category for their outstanding contribution to defending the human rights of transgenders in Mexico.
The transgender leader Jennifer Jasso Aguilar founded FID after participatory community assessments carried out in San Luis Potosà identified critically high levels of stigma and discrimination against transgender sex workers. Since 2005, FID has been a project partner in the Life with Dignity programme, supported by the Alliance's linking organisation in Mexico, Colectivo Sol and funded by Glaxo Smith Kline's Positive Action programme. Life with Dignity aims to reduce HIV-related stigma and discrimination in five of the most conservative states in Mexico by providing financial and organisation support to key population community groups.
FID's work within the programme has centred on reducing physical aggression from the police and empowering the transgender population to defend their human rights. Through training and awareness-raising activities with the police, health service providers and other institutions in the state, transgender sex workers have started to broker better relationships with the police. They have also found that their ability to work with peers, to participate in cultural activities and to access condoms, health and basic education services have been strengthened.
Out of the 25 Red Ribbon Award winners in 2008, five were International HIV/AIDS Alliance partners (see http://www.aidsalliance.org/sw55084.asp). FID received further special recognition as one of the top five winners.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
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