Campaigns against homophobia in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico

Abstract

[Executive Summary]. Homophobia is defined as prejudice, stigma or discrimi- nation against people who engage in sexual relations with others of the same sex. It may result in homosexual people hav- ing low self-esteem, difficulty practicing safer sex, and less social support. In some cases, the fear of stigma and discrimination discourages people from requesting HIV testing, counseling, and treatment. In other cases, homophobic behavior actu- ally prevents them from accessing these services. As part of the response to HIV and homophobia, four mass media campaigns were carried out between 2002 and 2005 in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico. This publication describes and analyzes these campaigns, which had a total budget of US$4.2 million. Unlike previous campaigns of a similar nature, these had the support of their respective governments. They presented homophobia as an interrelated problem of rights and public health. They presented non-heterosexual people in a non-dis- criminatory light, and took advantage of the controversy that the issue generated to promote a public dialogue, in some cases unprecedented, among different sec- tors of civil society. Although none of the campaigns were systematically evaluated, the organizers identified various elements that, from their perspective, should be regarded as evi- dence of success. According to the organizers, the campaigns served to create more tolerant environment for homosexual men in the four countries.