Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - On Sunday evening, November 11th, The Puerto Vallarta Men's Choir (PVMC) and cast members of the The Rocky Horror Show entertained over 120 men and women at the 'Community Cares' gala and dinner fundraiser benefiting SETAC and the PVMC.

Held at Puerto Vallarta's Bistro Balsamar, the event raised more than 40,000 pesos. The money will be divided equally between SETAC and the PVMC.

Francisco Arjona, the Executive Director of SETAC and host of the gala, greeted the guests by reiterating SETAC mission. "Our goal," he said, "is to build a free community, safe and friendly, full of love and acceptance for anyone who comes through our doors."

He explained that SETAC will use its share of the proceeds for distributing powdered milk to the children of mothers living with the HIV virus, HIV testing and outreach facilities, and HIV awareness and prevention marketing and advertising campaign.

Keeping his remarks brief and to the point, Paco Arjona introduced Dra. Iliana Marcela Ruiz Orozco, HIV coordinator for the clinic CAPASITS and member of the Board of Directors, and Fernando Martinez Diaz, HIV Coordinator of the Municipal Aids Committee from the new Government of Puerto Vallarta, who proudly endorsed not only SETAC but the organization's effort in bringing a much needed cohesion to a community struggling with the stigma of HIV/AIDS and its prevention and treatment.

Also introduced were the organizers of Sunday's gala, longtime community activists Craig Hinman, Jacques Bourguignon, and Joyce Pate - thanking them for their tireless efforts in helping SETAC attain its goals.

After the brief remarks, the evening truly began. The cast members from The Rocky Horror Show got the evening off to a start by performing several of the show's numbers. After that, Bob Bruneau, President of the PVMC introduced selected members of the choir and led the group in three rousing numbers. He announced that the PVMC next event is the Alegria on Vallarta Theater and will utilize the full cadre of the Men's Choir.

As the event was ending, Arjona said, "It is truly inspiring to see so much local talent - and local support - in one place united by the common cause of bringing awareness to the HIV crisis and to building a safe, free and friendly environment for the GLBT community in Puerto Vallarta."

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The purpose of the SETAC Puerto Vallarta Gay, Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Community Center, located at Constitucion #427 on the corner of Manuel Dieguez, is to provide essential services to the GLBT community, including support in recovery from alcoholism and other afflictions, physical and mental health treatment and referrals, education and recreation in an atmosphere of safety, free from discrimination. For more information, contact Javier Gallegos at (322) 224-1974 or javisetac(at)gmail.com.

Click HERE to learn more about Centro Comunitario SETAC-GLBT.