Alejandro, Mexico City


I am an electrician and I have been living with HIV for the past 15 years. That afternoon when I got the news, I was in shock. I left the doctor’s office and wandered aimlessly along the streets, all night long. When I finally came to my senses, it was dawn.

I decided to fight to remain in the best physical, emotional and psychological condition I could during the time I had left on this planet. I promised myself that the virus would never defeat me. I decided to be tough.

It doesn’t matter if the virus came to my life or if I went out looking for it. I just live like anybody else. I love doing exercise, not only because it is good for my health, but also because I always wanted to have the body of a wrestler.

The years I have spent living with HIV have taught me to be more humble, respectful and humane. My greatest satisfaction now is to help other people get medical care. We who live with HIV do not ask for special privileges, only that our rights be respected.

This is the first time I have taken photographs and it was a great experience, trying to represent my life. Through these images I express what I can't say with words. The pictures that fascinate me the most are the ones where I am hugging my mother, and where I am doing the vanity pose.

About Through Positive Eyes


Through Positive Eyes [ThroughPositiveEyes.org] tells the story of HIV/AIDS at the end of the third decade of the epidemic, when potent antiretroviral medication has been devised, but when treatment access is far from universal. Through Positive Eyes is an attempt to address key themes of the AIDS epidemic: widespread stigma, extreme social inequality, and limited access to lifesaving medication. The project is based on the belief that challenging stigma against people living with HIV/AIDS is the most effective method for combating the epidemic—and that art is a powerful way to do this. HIV-positive people take part in this unique initiative, creating powerful personal photo essays. From these images, we create local and international advocacy materials including exhibitions, short films, and website. Read more about Through Positive Eyes at artglobalhealth.org/ThroughPositiveEyes.

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