Paulo Henrique Longo (1964–2004) – In Memory

11 October 2004

It is with great sadness and a tremendous sense of loss that the International HIV/AIDS Alliance has heard of the tragic news of the sudden death on Friday 8 th October of Paulo Longo, Coordinator of the Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP), clinical psychologist and human rights activist.

We have lost a great friend and colleague and a courageous human rights leader in Brazil, Latin America and across the world. His tireless dedication to advocating for the rights of sex workers, and of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities across the world will remain an inspiration.

He will be remembered and missed not only for his dedication to human rights but also for the tremendous joy he brought into the lives of so many. Our thoughts and sympathy are with his loved ones, his friends, family and colleagues around the world.

His work on human rights and HIV spanned two decades. From his early days in the late 1980s as a counsellor for people living with HIV and their families, to his leadership in campaigning for gay rights in Brazil and the rights of sex workers throughout Latin America and the rest of the world, which continued up to his last hours.

Paulo was at the forefront of the response to HIV/AIDS as a clinical psychologist, researcher and activist. This has included Paulo's election to represent Brazilian NGOs on the National AIDS Commission in the early 1990s, his work as a counsellor and as lead researcher on numerous leading HIV/AIDS research projects. Most recently, Paulo was the Principal Investigator of the Horizons operations research project evaluating models for the reduction of vulnerability of Sex Workers in Rio de Janeiro to HIV and other STDs. As an expert and a highly articulate and eloquent speaker at HIV/AIDS and human rights conferences, he sought to ensure that practice was based on sound evidence not doctrine or prejudice.

As an activist, Paulo was committed to supporting sex workers to take control over their lives, challenging policies and practices that prevented them from attaining their basic human rights and enabling them to protect themselves from violence, oppression and HIV. It was never about Paulo being in the spotlight - he was committed to supporting sex workers in Latin America to have a real voice, their own voice, spending endless hours translating for sex worker representatives at official meetings.

Despite our loss, Paulo and his memory will continue to be an inspiration to us all.

Messages from others

Isabelle de Zoysa, Senior Adviser for HIV/AIDS to the Assistant Director-General for Family and Community Health World Health Organization

Dear friends

My thoughts are with you today. Paulo's departure came too soon and leaves a terrible void. I still have the last time I saw him, in London last month, imprinted in my mind. He stood up, firm and strong, to speak for those he always defended, those who are most vulnerable and marginalized, whose rights he passionately fought for over the years. An incredibly effective and articulate activist, from whom I have learned so much. I will always keep a deep appreciation for the dedication, commitment and patience he put into working with the organizations I have been with, including WHO, to make sure we "got it right". And an abiding memory of a warm, engaging and deeply humane person. I wish I could hug him tight once more. Courage. The work Paulo was doing must go on.

UNAIDS Press statement

UNAIDS Expresses Sadness at death of Human Rights Activist

Geneva, 13 October 2004 – It is with a tremendous sense of loss that we acknowledge the tragic news of the sudden death of Paulo Longo, Coordinator of the Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP) in Brazil and human rights activist.

Paulo was expected to join the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board shortly as an alternate NGO member. “Paulo was a friend of UNAIDS and a leader in defending the rights of marginalised people worldwide, including people living with HIV,” said Dr Peter Piot, UNAIDS Executive Director. “It is in sadness and solidarity that we reach out to his family and many friends all over the world. Paulo and his work will live long amongst us all for many years to come.”