Eddie Orozco was diagnosed with HIV more than 30 years ago at a time when survival rates were at its lowest.

“My diagnosis was back in 1987, so I am a long-term survivor,” said Orozco, a program facilitator at Pridelines, who appeared as one of the top 100 long-term survivors in “POZ Magazine” back in 2016.

A community and national activist working in the HIV field for the last 20 years, Orozco has worked as a Greater than AIDS ambassador to put a face to the HIV epidemic — primarily in the Hispanic community, where infection rates continue to rise among homosexual men. Orozco is board president of the Miami-Dade HIV Planning Council. He has also participated in the Florida AIDS Walk and has been involved with The Smart Ride charity cycling event for the last 10 years.

At Pridelines, Orozco coordinates a monthly educational lecture for people living with and affected with HIV in Spanish and English. Additionally, he facilitates gay/bisexual men HIV support groups.

“Giving back to organizations who serve people and families living and impacted by HIV....these are causes that are close to my heart,” Orozco said. “I love community involvement because I know I am making a difference in my community.”

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Table of Contents: SFGN's OUT50 2018

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