Understanding the sense of the word masculinity as respect for diversity, legality, sexual and reproductive rights, coexistence without discrimination or stigma is the goal of the XII National and IV International Masculinity and HIV Symposium, which will take place from 1st to October 3rd in Heredia Cultural Complex.

The event is a multidisciplinary exchange space where problems of socio-psychological nature and its impact on male sexual health are discussed; besides emphasizing on hegemonic masculinity models and STI and HIV / AIDS in men.

In its twelfth edition the fair has 58 research in three ways: audiovisuals, posters and presentations, three keynote lectures will provide an update on the epidemiological situation in Cuba, and three information panels with different themes involving people from across the country and other nations such as Argentina and Mexico.

The Symposium was born in 2003 with the intention of exchanging experiences between the volunteer promoters on the work of prevention for men.

"We realized that we could not lock ourselves in analyzing gender or homosexuality. Neither work this subject heading means only males, revolves around family, to teach him not to force stereotypes, to accept and support the individual development of each member.

It also involves modular or correct behaviors that cause health risks, redirect children, youngsters and adolescents, etc., "says Maria Dolores Malfrán García, Head of the Provincial Department of Sexually Transmitted Infections.

And research papers presented come from different disciplines: medical, social and human sciences, lawyers, journalists and promoters. All come together in that accountability to the spread of HIV / AIDS is not only the infected person and the health sector.