In the heart of San Francisco, at the intersection of 16th and Valencia Streets, a unique response to the HIV/AIDS crisis emerged from the queer and transgender Latino community.
This area stood as a cultural bridge between the predominantly white Castro and the Latino Mission, serving as a meeting point for those shaped by and fighting against the devastating impacts of the epidemic.
Artists and organizers from this vibrant community not only recognized their specific needs but also created programs and spaces centered around their experiences and cultural sensitivities.
Among the influential figures was Teresita La Campesina, a ranchera singer known for her powerful voice that could command attention in any bar or gathering. Despite her name suggesting a connection to farm labor, Teresita identified herself primarily as a musician who sang songs reflecting love and longing, often captivating audiences along 16th Street.
Tina Aguirre, who shared a close relationship with Teresita, recalled how they became family, with the younger generation of the queer community assisting her with makeup and wardrobe.
In return, Teresita educated them on self-care and safety in interactions with men seeking companionship. After her own diagnosis of HIV in the early 1990s, she became an outspoken advocate for HIV prevention and treatment, emphasizing the importance of sharing personal experiences as a means of community empowerment.
As the crisis escalated in the 1990s, Rafael Díaz, a developmental psychologist, sought to understand the experiences of gay and bisexual Latino men in San Francisco. He discovered that although knowledge of safe sex practices existed, cultural factors—such as machismo, racism, and economic hardship—often hindered effective implementation of these practices.
Díaz’s findings underscored the need for culturally competent health education and services that addressed these complexities.
Héctor León, an artist and community organizer who relocated from Mexico City in 1989, had already been active in HIV/AIDS advocacy before his move. He quickly immersed himself in efforts to care for those affected by AIDS in the Mission District, volunteering his time with Community United in Response to AIDS/SIDA (CURAS).
Through his research and community work, León identified a significant barrier faced by many: the lack of support networks for the most vulnerable members, including transgender individuals and sex workers.
In response, he adopted the persona of ‘La Condonera,’ dressing in drag and navigating the streets to distribute condoms to those in need. This approach allowed him to connect more easily with individuals who may have been reluctant to engage with a gay man in a non-drag context.
As La Condonera, León further utilized creativity to promote safe practices, turning condom distribution into a discreet yet engaging activity that resonated with the community.
In 1993, León teamed up with fellow activists, including Diane Félix and Reggie Williams, to establish Proyecto ContraSIDA Por Vida (PCPV)—a groundbreaking initiative focusing on HIV prevention and support tailored to the diverse cultural needs of the Mission District.
PCPV quickly became a hub for community engagement, offering resources like condoms alongside more holistic programming that fostered artistic expression and cultural celebration.
Activities included a soccer team for queer women, a hiking group for HIV-positive Latino men, and support groups for individuals of various ethnic backgrounds and sexual orientations.
The project’s mission was rooted in inclusivity, emphasizing that different identities and experiences needed to be acknowledged to create effective community-driven solutions to the HIV crisis.
Juana María Rodríguez, a professor at UC Berkeley, noted the transformative nature of PCPV’s approach, highlighting its dedication to promoting life rather than focusing solely on illness.
Art and creativity were crucial elements, providing a space for community members to express themselves and connect with one another, fostering a sense of belonging.
As the organization evolved, it highlighted the importance of leadership that reflected and empowered the most marginalized within the community, particularly immigrant transgender women.
Over the years, legendary drag performer Adela Vázquez became an integral part of PCPV. Together with León, they led the AtreDivas collective, offering sewing classes and performances that conveyed messages about HIV awareness through art and humor.
Continuing their legacy, PCPV eventually transformed into El/La Para TransLatinas in 2005, focusing more directly on the needs of immigrant trans women in the Bay Area.
As the community navigated the struggles and losses brought on by the HIV crisis—with the deaths of prominent figures like Teresita La Campesina in 2002 and Adela Vázquez in late 2022—there remained an unwavering commitment to resilience and education.
Currently, organizations like the Mission Neighborhood Health Center (MNHC) carry forward the work initiated during the height of the AIDS epidemic.
Offering essential healthcare services, including the city’s first bilingual HIV clinic, MNHC continues to address the ongoing public health needs of the Latino community.
Programs such as Hermanos de Luna y Sol, informed by Díaz’s earlier research, persist as vital support systems for gay and bisexual Latino men adjusting to life in the U.S., often isolated from their families.
César Monroy, the HIV and Prevention Wellness Manager at MNHC, emphasizes the significance of open conversations regarding life’s challenges, including rent and employment, as these factors directly influence health decisions.
The ethos of ‘Hablar del VIH es hablar de la vida’—’Talking about HIV is talking about life’—remains a guiding principle for their work.
In the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, San Francisco’s public health officials utilized lessons learned from the HIV crisis to tailor a response for the city’s Latino population, reinforcing the enduring impact of the community’s fight against HIV/AIDS on contemporary health strategies.
From grassroots activism to institutional support, the work initiated at 16th Street has laid the foundation for ongoing efforts to address the health disparities faced by queer and transgender communities in San Francisco.
image source from：https://www.kqed.org/arts/13977374/proyecto-contrasida-san-francisco-hiv-aids-atredivas-teresita-la-campesina
