World AIDS Day: Third annual 'International HIV Kiss-In' takes place on United States-Mexico border

All photos by Daniel Guevara @danielguevarafilmmaker

On the eve of World AIDS Day, MPact Global, the international organisation advancing queer health and human rights, staged a demonstration at Friendship Park, a historic meeting point on the United States–Mexico border. The event, known as Besoton Sidoso Internacional or the International HIV Kiss-In, marked its third year as a powerful act of visibility and solidarity for people living with HIV and queer migrants.

Held on 30 November, the cross-border gathering brought together activists, community leaders, and participants from San Diego and Tijuana. At its heart was a symbolic kiss between two HIV-positive men - a gesture organisers described as “a public act of defiance and dignity” against stigma, discrimination, and systemic neglect.

“This event is about standing up for those denied treatment, safety, and dignity, and ensuring the world sees the humanity and strength of queer migrants and people living with HIV,” said Andrew Spieldenner, Executive Director of MPact Global.

The Kiss-In highlights ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ+ migrants, particularly those in detention centres, where reports of medical neglect and denial of lifesaving HIV medication persist. For many in Tijuana, where being openly HIV-positive remains dangerous, attending the event is an act of profound courage.

The demonstration also served as a reminder that, nearly 45 years into the epidemic, communities continue to fight for equality and access to care. According to MPact, gay and bisexual men account for the majority of HIV cases in both the US and Mexico, and queer migrants remain particularly vulnerable.