QUITO, Ecuador – Anthony Guerrero's Inspiration

“Esmeraldas is a complex reality, but the strength and identity of this community continuously dignify itself in the pursuit of joy; it truly is a beautiful place,” reflects 27-year-old Anthony Guerrero. Nestled between Ecuador and Colombia, Esmeraldas is a coastal province celebrated for its breathtaking beaches and vibrant culture. However, it faces significant challenges, including high poverty rates, limited access to healthcare, education, and clean water.

Anthony, an Afrodescendant, is part of a demographic that constitutes 45% of Esmeraldas' residents, the highest in Ecuador. Raised by strong women—his mother, grandmother, and aunts—his childhood was filled with love despite family challenges following his parents' early separation.

At just 13 years old, Anthony embraced his identity as gender-fluid, navigating the complexities of self-discovery in a society where such identities can be met with resistance. Seeking solace in creativity, he found expression through literature, art, music, poetry, and theatre. This creative outlet became crucial as he faced life's adversities.

A Diagnosis That Changed Everything

In his first year of university in Guayaquil, at the age of 19, Anthony's life took a dramatic turn when he received an HIV positive diagnosis. Initially overwhelmed by fear and confusion, his first medical consultation was discouraging, leaving him feeling stigmatized. Undeterred, he traveled to Quito in search of better healthcare and accurate information.

Globally, a staggering one in four individuals living with HIV experiences stigma, especially within LGBTQIA+ communities. Internalized stigma, where one internalizes negative stereotypes, is particularly common among youth grappling with their identity alongside an HIV diagnosis.

Anthony's pivotal moment arrived when he connected with a network of his peers through the Ecuadorian Network of Positive Youth and Adolescents, a support system for young people living with HIV. Encouraged by this newfound community and the support from UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) and UNAIDS, he began a transformative journey of activism.

“This meeting marked the beginning of my healing process, both physically and emotionally,” Anthony shared. “I learned that HIV does not equal death.”

With the backing of this peer network, Anthony continued his education in literature at the University of the Arts in Guayaquil and pursued a diploma in HIV and collective health from the Latin American Council for Social Sciences.

Activism Through the Power of Art

Now a prominent advocate for young people living with HIV, Anthony became the leader of MoVIHlízate in 2019—a platform created with UNFPA's support in 2018 that fosters solidarity among youth affected by HIV. This initiative challenges stigmatizing attitudes towards sexuality and HIV with a rights-based, culturally sensitive approach.

For Anthony, MoVIHlízate serves not just as a workplace, but as a haven for friendship and community support. The organization empowers youth across Ecuador through counseling, comprehensive sexuality education, and campaigns against discrimination. They also provide essential accompaniment for community members seeking healthcare services.

In 2023, Anthony leveraged his passion for the arts by publishing a poetry collection titled *In the Beginning Was the Fever*, reflecting on his journey with HIV. Moreover, he curated the exhibition *POSITIVA: Latin American HIV Culture Artistic Residency*, which united nine artists living with HIV to confront stigma through creative expression.

Despite progress—such as a 28% decline in AIDS-related deaths since 2010—new HIV infections have risen by 9% in Latin America. Key populations, including young men who have sex with men, transgender women, and female sex workers, make up over half of these new infections.

UNFPA remains committed to enhancing sexual and reproductive health rights for those living with HIV. By investing in quality healthcare and comprehensive sexuality education, they aim to create protective environments necessary for preventing HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among vulnerable populations.

In the face of overwhelming challenges, Anthony Guerrero stands as a beacon of hope, exemplifying how activism and art can intertwine to uplift and empower young people living with HIV in Ecuador.