Jose and Carlos run advice lines for their communities and two successful support groups
for positive men, the long standing Naz-Brasil group for gay men and
Grupo Amigos, the Friends' Group, more recently set up by Naz Latina for
men of all sexualities. A mixed-gender and family group has also recently
started. They also run regular sex-advice and condom stalls at London
clubs like Exilio Latino and the Sunday night La Rumba Ma Rica (a punning
name that translates both as 'The Better Rumba' and 'The Queens' Rumba').
They have Spanish and Portuguese leaflets and posters and are getting
home-language condom packs made too.
Carlos talks of huge levels of ignorance in the London population. Even
in Brazil, the illiteracy rate is officially 17 per cent, though Jose
says it is in reality more, and comparatively few London Latinos learn
English. The assumption many have, even if they suspect they are positive,
is that they will have to pay for every HIV test and pill they take. There
is also the common assumption that referral to hospital will result in
deportation.
Carlos cites a Colombian he knew who collapsed and died in the street
after fellow-Colombians he lived with put him in fear of seeking medical
help. I talk to two members of Naz Latina, Alex and Victor. In many ways
they typify opposite stories of South American gaydom. Alex, a tall, good-looking
Colombian, tested positive as a student after a bout of diarrhoea three
years ago.
"It is better not to test in Colombia," he says. "The stress
will make you sick and the cost of healthcare ruins families." Initially
refused a test because he only had 11 months to run on his visa, Carlos
arranged one at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington,
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with whom the Naz Project has a special relationship. He cannot speak
