GAT demands community-based PrEP at the Lisbon LGBTI+ Pride March

GAT Grupo de Ativistas em Tratamentos once again took part in the Lisbon LGBTI+ Pride March, joining the collective demand for LGBTI+ rights, dignity, freedom, and a life free from prejudice, discrimination and stigma.

During the March, GAT distributed prevention materials, including condoms and lubricant, reinforcing the importance of access to prevention in community settings and spaces of political mobilisation.

This year, GAT’s participation focused mainly on demanding the implementation of community-based PrEP. Although already approved, this response has still not been implemented by the Government, maintaining barriers to access to an essential tool for HIV prevention. It should be noted that in June 2025, GAT used its own funds to make PrEP available to the community, but was forced to suspend new appointments due to a lack of funding.

Community-based PrEP represents a proximity-based response, built with and for communities, making it possible to reach people who face greater barriers in accessing healthcare services. Community organisations are prepared, know the realities on the ground, and have accumulated experience in prevention, testing, harm reduction, peer support and referral to healthcare.

For GAT, Pride is also a space for political action: there are no LGBTI+ rights without access to healthcare, accessible prevention and effective public policies.

Below, we transcribe GAT’s speech at the 27th Lisbon LGBTI+ Pride March:

OUR VOICE, OUR STRUGGLE

Dear comrades, activists and friends,

Since 2001, GAT has existed to give voice to the people most affected by HIV, AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, viral hepatitis and tuberculosis.

Over the years, we have built a community prevention response, made by communities and for communities: information, testing, harm reduction, peer support, distribution of prevention tools, including access to PrEP for those who need it most.

But the reality remains harsh. Every year, hundreds of people are diagnosed with HIV in Portugal. Many spent months waiting for a PrEP appointment — a wait that could have been avoided. An infection that could have never happened.

That is why we are here today.

Community-based PrEP has already been approved. The law exists. Organisations are prepared. Communities are ready.

What is missing is political will and funding to take this response out of the drawer.

We do not accept prevention continuing to be treated as secondary. We do not accept the State remaining absent while communities are left unprotected.

Our communities know how to care for their communities. Our lived experiences must be at the centre of health responses.

Today, we march for pride, for dignity, for rights and for life.

We want PrEP in the community. We want accessible prevention. We want action now.

Photos by Noa P. Mendes