Dramatic performance about homosexuality and HIV/AIDS prevention

Dramatic performance about homosexuality and HIV/AIDS prevention Related image(s)

An audience of more than 200 made up of staff and students from the Hanoi University of Pharmacy have just watched the drama named “Three in one” free of charge at the Vietnam National Drama Theatre. Thanks to the sponsor of the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the drama was staged in response to the World AIDS Day (December 1st) and the National Action Month for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control. The drama tells about three characters with three different lives. Their characters represent people from three groups at high risk from infection of HIV/AIDS, including a homosexual a prostitute and an intravenous drug user. The drama wants to send a message that the community should love, tolerate and share with people who have lost direction so they have the opportunity to live and have the energy to rise in life and reintegrate into the community. After the drama, an exchange program was held between the troupe and students about the drama and knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention and control. Many questions about safe sex, HIV infection prevention, reducing stigma and discrimination against people with HIV and those vulnerable to HIV were raised during the program. On the same day, Ms. Malikat Rufai, Cultural Attaché of the Consulate General of the US in Ho Chi Minh city; Mr. Le Van Tam, Standing Deputy Head of the Can Tho municipal People’s Committee, Dr. Hoang Dinh Canh, Deputy Head of the Vietnam Administration of AIDS Control under the Ministry of Health, representatives of departments and nearly 800 students watched the drama “Vacant rainbow”. It is a drama about homosexuality, which helps viewers further understand the status and reasons that drive stigma and discrimination against gays. Besides the story about tragedy of homosexuality, the drama also sent a warning message about the risk behavior of HIV infection among gays and that we need to help them protect themselves before HIV/AIDS, such as HIV counseling and testing, care and treatment. On March 23rd, the drama “Vacant rainbow” also performed free of charge in Long Xuyen city, An Giang province./.