Her friends nodded, citing other explanations given by organizers, such as not being able to speak English. Some 25, people are expected at the event, which draws scientists, international agencies, government officials, non-government organizations and the media.
But people most at risk of the disease, such as sex workers, homosexuals and intravenous drug users, are least visible. Most are poor and cannot afford registration fees.
At one point, passengers in a passing car hurled eggs at the group standing on a street corner, narrowly missing. The AIDS virus infects 33 million people globally, 1. Delea, who had been hoping to speak at the conference, said it was important for society to acknowledge sex workers, starting with the police, who often detain prostitutes when they find them with condoms.
This makes it harder for the workers to practice safe sex. Prostitution is illegal in Mexico but widely tolerated everywhere from grimy street corners to swanky brothels. Police can easily be bribed to turn a blind eye to sex workers. Discover Thomson Reuters. Directory of sites. United States. World News. Tan Ee Lyn. She will be protesting on the fringes of the six-day biennial event.
Editing by Maggie Fox.
