Versión en Spanish

The Fundación Buenos Aires Sida (FBAS, Buenos Aires AIDS Foundation) began as a part of a PVVS project (people living with HIV/AIDS). Its aim was to generate support and reflection groups for people that were diagnosed with HIV or AIDS. This group expanded from 1989 until 1992.

The FBAS subsequently expanded as a result work initiated in mass media and community activities. As a result, this generated a greater demand by the population for a legal framework.

This process began in 1995 and was presented to the Dirección General de Justicia (General Bureau of Justice) in 1996. In 1997 community prevention projects began to be developed, specifically amongst peers, targeting vulnerable groups in the city of Buenos Aires and the Conurbano Bonaerense (outskirts).

Since 1998, FBAS has been collaborating with other organizations in civil society, developing communications between the private and public sectors, promoting sexual health and promoting HIV/AIDS prevention. This year, FBAS have received financing from the National AIDS Program with the Ministry of Health for the nation, in which projects are executed under the financing of the “Comunicación Social” (Social Communication) component of this organization.

The FBAS is a pioneer in implementing – in the work with youth and adolescents –innovative means of communication regarding HIV/AIDS prevention strategies. FBAS works include an installation of stands in disco techs, where participants are employed to promote safer sex and offer video clip materials largely targeting youth, teenagers and adults in disco techs as well as other places frequented by the gay community and by men who have sex with men (MSM).

As of 1999 the FBAS has developed activities with the support of various organizations (national and international) and other institutions to bring an innovative dynamism to other cities in the country, summoned annually by the Secretarías de Juventud (Secretaries of Youth), municipalities and universities to offer HIV/AIDS capacitation courses. In this same year, the Mesa de Concertación Juvenil (Youth Agreement Table) of the city of Buenos Aires (a space in which organizations from different sectors of society work for the development and empowerment of the city’s youth) was integrated.

As of 2000 the FBAS has been a member of the Primera Red Nacional de Adolescentes y Jóvenes en Salud Sexual y Reproductiva (First National Network of Adolescents and Youth in Sexual Health and Reproduction). It is a confounder, as of 2001, of the Foro de ONGs (Forum of NGO’s) related to AIDS work in Argentina. FBAS works closely with diverse organizations and organisms, especially Coordinación SIDA of the Buenos Aires city government and the Programa de Prevención de Sida de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (AIDS Prevention Program for the City of Buenos Aires).

In 2002 FBAS became a cofounder of the HIV/AIDS Task Force of Argentina with the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual, transvestites and men having sex with men (MSM) community. FBAS’s materials are utilized by other organizations within civil society and have been edited by GTZ (The German Agency of Cooperation and Development) and UNAIDS (the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS).

On the other hand, the FBAS has participated with Kopelco (Tulipán condoms) in HIV/AIDS and other STD (sexually transmitted diseases) prevention activities in the form of large events with youth and adolescents and in an educational project implemented in 2002, “Consejería entre pares para alumnos y alumnas de escuelas publica y privadas de la ciudad de Buenos Aires y el Conurbano Bonaerense” (Peer Counseling for students in public and private schools of Buenos Aires and the outskirts).

Since 2003 free distribution centers have distributed condoms (15,000 condoms monthly). It is supported by Coordinación SIDA - the Secretary of Health – GCBA and the National AIDS Program – and the Ministry of Health of Argentina. It supports advisory services in the commercial sex red light zones in the neighborhoods, Constitución, Flores and Villa Urquiza. The Netherlands’ Embassy and the Dirección Nacional de Juventud (the National Bureau of Youth) that includes 20 FBAS members in the Community Employment Program for micro enterprises in the “Mercadeo Social de Preservativo Joven” (Social Awareness Program Targeting Youth) has joined in the efforts of FBAS.

Also in 2003, a prevention program was initiated aimed at Gays, Transvestites and MSM (men that have sex with men), financed by the Global Fund Against AIDS. It began with two labor micro enterprises “Hair Styling Services”, and the “Academy of Sewing” with the goal of enhancing labor opportunities for 80 unemployed women and transvestites wishing to leave prostitution. This was supported by the Programa Nuevos Roles Laborales de la Dirección General de Microemprendimientos (Bureau of Micro Enterprises’ New Labor Program) of the Secretary of Social Development of the Buenos Aires Government.

In 2004 the FBAS joined the Programa Alimentario (Nutrition/Nurishment Program) of the Secretary of Social Development – GCBA with the aim to incorporate 70 transvestites into the program. HIV/AIDS prevention activities were developed in the labor field along with Sindicatos y Empresas (trade unions and companies) and in prisons through the adult school programs, within the Buenos Aires Province penal system.

In 2005 the FBAS began to work with the Programa de Voluntariado “Ser Solidario” (Volunteer Program “Be Charitable”) of the GCBA. This program capacitates and integrates youth, adolescents and transvestites in community works. It has created visibility to other challenges these populations face and has created an opportunity to respond newly to important demands (such as those of young transvestites).

• The team heading up these works is composed fundamentally of diverse youth and young adults (in terms of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, serilogico status). They are individuals that come from the same communities FBAS works to support. They are people living with HIV/AIDS, MSM and GLBTT people, high school and university students, professionals of the Foundation or those invited to perform specific tasks.

• FBAS’s profile is not professional, but one of communitarian activism with great technical skill. The background of the leadership of FBAS and the people that are involved in its activities are extremely valuable to this vital experience and to the prevention of HIV, promotion of rights, and fortification the community.

• Organización: Fundación Buenos Aires Sida, ONG con personería legal desde 1996 (Personería jurídica N° 365 otorgada por Expte. N° 1627434/96-IGJ 22-04-99)