Speech by Nancy Mayagoitia, Voice of the Frente Común Contra el SIDA, on the occasion of the inauguration of the State Council on AIDS, COESIDA, in Oaxaca.

Seven years ago the first case of AIDS was reported in Oaxaca.  Since then, the disease has increased in roughly the same proportions with other communities around the world.  Left to itself, with little or no active resistance from the community, the virus could spread to an unthinkable number of oaxaqueños.  A growing number of persons‑ from medical and educational experts, to the common man‑ are saying:  This must not occur!

Common logic and the best medical option concur:  the spread of HIV and AIDS in Oaxaca could be stopped.

But how?

The virus, besides mutating often and hiding effectively in healthy persons for many years, is also a secretive worker.  It does not transmit itself in the light of day, under the watchful eyes of officials or the public in our sports events.  Nor in controlled environs such as our hospitals or operating rooms, not on our highways, well‑lit family reunions or public celebrations.  No, this virus seeks the dark.  Late at night, when all are in bed, the virus works.  In the deepest, most personal and private of moments; in the act most hidden from other eyes and yet the most noble of human emotions, the virus works.

Somehow, the layers of darkness and privacy must be pulled aside and light must be cast.  Somehow, we must reach in and halt this virus.

We shall never have, nor do we want, the police or others looking into our bedrooms, governing our sexual activity, mandating tests for HIV, invading the privacy of our bodies.  Nor would such a system work.

No, the fight against AIDS will be fought on a higher level.  It will be fought with self‑esteem, with the taking control of our bodies, with the love we share with each other.

The battle will not be fought "from the top down"; government functionaries or doctors ordering the rest of us what to do.  Nor "from the bottom up"; the wealthy and isolated ignoring the battle, government entities unconcerned and complacent.

It will only be fought by all of us, joining the battle, accepting the responsibility of the well‑being of the community as a whole.

The changes that are necessary in the years ahead involve going to the very core of our sexual relations.  No person or group can truly reach into another's private life and yet, each of us can reach into ourselves, can change our behavior, can prevent this deadly virus from entering our bodies.

Though the virus may work in the dark, our fight is in the light;  complete and accurate information about HIV and AIDS, frank and open discussions of human sexuality, a loud call to action from our TV's, radios and newspapers.

What is that call to action?  What is the "responsibility" of every oaxaqueño?

As education and information are the first shields against AIDS, thus the first responsibility is to become informed.  Do not accept rumors or myths about AIDS; do not accept everything written or broadcast about AIDS.

Search out sources of correct information:  the Frente Común Center for Information, the Office of Preventative Medicine at Hospital Civil, the Red Cross, some doctors and commercial laboratories, libraries and bookstores.  Send for information from any of the AIDS organizations in Oaxaca or Mexico City.

Most important:  Attend a class on AIDS.  The Frente Común contra el SIDA has written, "It is the responsibility of every oaxaqueño to attend a course on AIDS and to become fully informed about this disease."  As such, the Frente is offering a 2‑hour class which covers basic information about HIV and AIDS, methods of transmission and prevention, myths about AIDS, safe sex and recommendations for living with HIV.  This class, and others like it, can provide what is surely a basic requirement in our efforts:  a fully‑informed public.

With this knowledge, we will know the facts about how this disease spreads, we will recognize untruths and prejudices, we will realize that HIV is an uncaring bug, never asking is this a good person?  is this a bad person?  rich, poor.  Young, old.  Not searching out "immoral" people.  Only asking is this a human?

Vital to the change of conduct which must take place to halt HIV, is a like change of attitude.  This, too, is every oaxaqueño's responsibility.

Our work can not succeed if fed from the dark, from fears, lies, from prejudice.  We must fight armed with the best in us all, our intelligence, our reasoning, our desire to do good and our love for one another.

We must also change our attitude towards people with HIV or AIDS.  It is said in two or three years, virtually everyone living in the city center and most of the nearby colonias will have a friend, family member or neighbor infected with the virus.  How will they find our treatment of them?

At present, persons with AIDS are outcasts from society, shunned by friends and family, often dying alone and miserable.  This is an unconscionable blot on our society, made more so because it is solely the result of ignorance and fear.  Let all know, there is no risk of contacting AIDS caring for a loved one in the home, of embracing, in the time of their greatest need, our fellow men.  Let all know, as a community, that the stricken among us will be treated with dignity and respect.

Further, it is the responsibility of every oaxaqueño to become involved:  do something to further the cause!  Volunteer your time to an AIDS organization, donate money, write a letter, attend a meeting.  The list is long and well known.  We need only take the first step, only begin the work.  If we do not, time will pass, more lives of our fellow oaxaqueños will be lost.

Finally, it is the responsibility of everyone of us to take utter control of our sexual lives, to protect ourselves and our loved ones.  It is our responsibility to use a condom every time there is a possibility of transmitting the virus.  To use a condom, not accusingly, not suspecting or laying fault on ourselves or others.  To use a condom every time because we are all in the Frente Común Contra el SIDA, because we are all taking responsibility for our bodies and actions, because we are all dedicated to stopping AIDS in Oaxaca.

The projections which we hear ‑ of all of us knowing a person with HIV in 2 or 3 years, of 20% of the population infected in ten years ‑ are based on the assumption that no action will be taken to slow the virus, that conditions will continue as they are now.  But these conditions we could change.

This disease is not on some inevitable march through our population, beyond our control.  On the contrary, the advancements of AIDS in our community lies clearly within our ability to control it.

Will we each accept our responsibility?  Will we each act at once, doing all we can, to stop this virus from entering the body of even one more oaxaqueño?