Due to the recent reported closure of SETAC LGBT Wellness Center, Vallarta’s Gay+ community has been left without guaranteed future access to PrEP. That program provided access to about 700 patients. SETAC also provided other vital services to the community such as STI screening and treatments.
A group of business leaders, with the support of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (a major donor to SETAC), have formed a committee to continue the distribution of PrEP medicine with a fast, accessible, and transparent community-based approach.
The FREE PrEP program will continue next week thanks to the generous donation of space located inside ThrIVe IV & MedSpa on Basilio Badillo 277-A, in Zona Romantica (Colonia Emiliano Zapata) and the donations of the organizing committee members.
If you were previously enrolled in the SETAC program, you can use the following WhatsApp number 322 128 67 93 or SETAC’s contact form to follow up with your appointments. New enrollees can also use the contact form to be signed up for new registrations.
Current patients will be asked for a $300 MXN monthly optional donation, as it was with the previous program.
Organizational Plans
The interim organizing committee and manager will spend the next several months taking input from the community regarding the needs and offers of support.
To make plans to support the community’s health and wellness, we want to invite all community members to be part of the process. We will keep everyone updated about additional details when we have more confirmed information.
You can use the form link above as well to sign up to volunteer, donate, or stay informed. We kindly ask businesses, visitors, and patients for your financial support to help with immediate funds. For US donors, Casa JoJo is a 501(c)3 deduction. When donating, please mention “Vallarta’s Gay+ Health Clinic “. You can donate using the One Time donate button at the bottom of their website landing page.
Thanks to the Casa JoJo Foundation for their support while we establish our own legal entity for donations.
Thank you to the community of Puerto Vallarta and, beyond that, have stepped up to support our gay+ community during this health emergency.
Organizing Committee Members:
- Mikel Alvarez, ThrIVe IV & MedSpa, Development Director
- Paul Crist, Hotel Mercurio
- Jet De La Isla, Jet’s Adventures + FB’s Largest PV Gay Group, Communications Director
- Mike Owens, STUDS Bar
- Don Pickens, Casa Cupula
- Fernando Bolaños, Interim Manager
Medical Advisors
- Dr. Alain Hernández, Medical Advisor
- Dr. Galileo Vargas, Medical Advisor
Major Support: Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS
- Tom Viola, Executive Director
