the power of a kiss
Two men kiss in front of the U.S.-Mexico border during the 3rd Annual Besoton Cidoso International (International HIV Kiss-In) in Friendship Park/Parque de la Amistad, California, November 30, 2025. Photo credit: Daniel Guevara
On Sunday, a group of HIV-positive men gathered to kiss at the US-Mexico border in a powerful show of defiance against discrimination.
Ahead of World AIDS Day, MPact Global Action for Gay Men’s Health and Rights hosted the 3rd Besoton Sidso International, also known as the International HIV Kiss-In, at Friendship Park/Parque de la Amistad on the California-Mexico border. The demonstration aimed to uplift people living with HIV and remove the stigma surrounding dating and sex, while also showing solidarity with gay immigrants facing persecution from the Trump administration.
“As one of the only openly HIV-positive Executive Directors of a global organization, I am inspired and encouraged by this visible action for the rights of all people living with HIV, especially gay immigrants, in a time of widespread fear and misinformation,” said MPact Executive Director Andrew Spildener. defender. “Our community is stronger when we come together.”
A man and a drag queen kiss in front of the U.S.-Mexico border during the 3rd Annual Besoton Cidoso International (International HIV Kiss-In) in Friendship Park/Parque de la Amistad, California, November 30, 2025.
Photo credit: Daniel Guevara
Immigrants living in high-income countries are disproportionately affected by HIV infection, according to a 2018 study report from the National Institutes of Health and often has characteristics associated with poor clinical outcomes in HIV. A large proportion of migrants acquire HIV after migration and are often unable to access care.
Up to 3% (640,000 people) of non-US citizens living in the US are LGBTQ+. study A study by the Williams Institute found that there were as many as 288,000 undocumented immigrants. Gay immigrants are already at increased risk under President Trump’s policies, with gay immigrants living with HIV in U.S. detention centers particularly exposed to violence and prejudice, and denied life-saving medications.
Two men kiss during the 3rd Annual Besoton Cidoso International (International HIV Kiss-In) in Friendship Park/Parque de la Amistad, California, November 30, 2025.
Photo credit: Daniel Guevara
“MPact is working with local communities to create the International HIV Kiss-In because it is a bold, provocative and revolutionary act that publicly displays the sexuality of people living with HIV and proclaims the human rights of gay immigrants,” said Alex Garner, MPact’s Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives and Communications. “We have transcended the boundaries of sexuality and gender. We cannot use the power of a kiss to limit our fight for queer immigrants and people living with HIV by borders.”
Scroll to see more photos of Besoton Sidoso Internacional
Three men participate in the 3rd annual Besoton Cidoso International (International HIV Kiss-In) in Friendship Park/Parque de la Amistad, California, November 30, 2025.
Photo credit: Daniel Guevara
Two men kiss in front of the U.S.-Mexico border during the 3rd Annual Besoton Cidoso International (International HIV Kiss-In) in Friendship Park/Parque de la Amistad, California, November 30, 2025.
Photo credit: Daniel Guevara
A drag queen speaks at the 3rd Annual Besoton Cidoso International (International HIV Kiss-In) in Friendship Park/Parque de la Amistad, California on November 30, 2025.
Photo credit: Daniel Guevara
Organizers stand with drag queens during the 3rd annual Besoton Cidoso International (International HIV Kiss-In) at Friendship Park/Parque de la Amistad, California, November 30, 2025.
Photo credit: Daniel Guevara
Organizers speak at the 3rd Besoton Cidoso International (International HIV Kiss-In) in Friendship Park/Parque de la Amistad, California (November 30, 2025).
Photo credit: Daniel Guevara
Source: Advocate.com – www.advocate.com
