William Hernandez has been recognized by Amnesty International for his efforts to end discrimination and persecution in El Salvador. He is the co-founder and Executive Director of Asociación Entre Amigos, a Salvadoran NGO that focuses on providing HIV/AIDS education to communities stigmatized in Salvadoran society due to their LGBTQ orientation or health status. Over the last few years, an estimated 47 people have been killed in El Salvador due to their sexual orientation. Violent threats, personal attacks and property crimes against the LGBTQ community, and those who advocate for recognition of its rights, are commonplace. The pervasive cultural intolerance towards the LGBTQ community and people living with HIV/AIDS has shielded the criminals harassing these communities from prosecution, leaving the community vulnerable to continual harm.
While in the San Francisco Bay Area, Mr. Hernandez seeks to raise consciousness about the increase in attacks on LGBTQ persons as well as promote interest in long term, global strategic partnerships, including capacity building for his nonprofit organization Entre Amigos. Mr. Hernandez's presentation will discuss some of the human rights issues facing LGBTQ persons living with HIV/AIDS in El Salvador. Following Mr. Hernandez's presentation, law students will have an opportunity to sign-up for pro bono projects related to LGBTQ issues in El Salvador. Co-sponsored by the Law Students for Global Justice, Pride Law and PIC.
To RSVP for this presentation, please email Doan at dnguyen@pic.org.