Growing Acceptance of Homosexuals in Latin America

This past weekend homosexuals marched down the main streets of Haiti in their first openly gay march ever. They timed this march to raise awareness about AIDS, the march was held a day before the Words AIDS day, the Country is trying to raise awareness about the spread of AIDS because it is a growing problem that is plaguing. Of the people known with AIDS, homosexuals consist of 2/3 of he total amount. So they believe if they can raise awareness levels and educate about prevention and treatment to the gay community it will help a lot. Haiti's AIDS problem is well on its way towards and epidemic, they are the most affected country in Latin America, and they are home to the highest rate of AIDS infection outside Sub-Saharan Africa. The United States is very involved in helping Haiti solve this problem, they have invested nearly 320 million to the education and prevention of the disease. The money has gone to good use because the infection rate has fallen from 5.6 percent in 1996 to currently, 2.2 percent. The main problem that Haiti and many other countries in Latin America deal with, is that homosexuals are too embarrassed and afraid they will be harassed so they wont seek help.
IN Haiti harassment of homosexuals is a problem. This past election year, the Prime Minister was running for re-election until rumors of her being a lesbian surfaced, citizens of Haiti did not approve and virtually required a live broadcast of her on Haitian radio denouncing the rumors.
AIDS is a growing problem in Haiti and the rest of Latin America especially among homosexuals, and the first step to solving the problem is to stop the harassment so infected persons can seek help safely. It is definitely a big step in the right direction that openly gay marches are being held and that the country is trying the raise awareness of the growing epidemic.