New York, NY, June 3, 2021—Marco, a longtime partner and friend of the Latino Commission on AIDS and many of us at the Commission, passed away yesterday. Well known LGBT activist and filmmaker who focused his work on marginalized communities, immigrant LGBTQ+ (with emphasis on transgender women of color), PLWHIV, POC communities, youth and young adults, women, sex workers, people struggling with mental health issues, and people who inject drugs. 

“We will miss Marco, his thoughtfulness, kindness, empathy, compassion, engagement, passion and commitment for the community.” – stated Guillermo, president of the Latino Commission on AIDS and founder of the Hispanic Health Network. “He was able to bring his love for art, his vision and his desire for social justice together in a beautiful. We will miss you Marco dearly!”
Marco always present!

“I am here to return to y’all this burden that has been placed on my shoulders because of my struggles with mental health and HIV. I am here to demand a clear distinction between stigma and discrimination, and the devastating effects of the many intersections that people living with HIV & struggling with mental health experience on a daily basis. I am here to create powerful solidarity among all of us, to address mental health as a global issue, and secure access to care to everyone and not only a sector of our society.”

Marco Castro-Bojorquez
UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board Meeting; Geneva, Switzerland