Nearly a third of the more than 107,000 New Yorkers currently living with HIV/AIDS are Latinos.

Among the general population, a large number of HIV/AIDS transmissions occur between men who have sex with men (MSM), whether they identify as gay or not – and Latinos are no exception.

But that doesn't mean that men are the only ones affected. The proportion of Hispanic females and young women living with HIV/AIDS is higher than in other ethnic groups.

The majority of Hispanic women affected by the virus contract it from sexual contact with an infected man.

According to activists, in order to reduce the rising rate of infection among young people and MSM, people need to change certain behaviors related to sex.

That means using condoms during both vaginal and anal sex, with the latter posing a higher risk of transmission because the lining of the anus is more delicate. Getting tested for HIV is another important method of protection.

People should also reconsider the way they think about sexuality, at an individual as well as a public policy level, said Heriberto Sánchez Soto, executive director of the Hispanic AIDS Forum.

People need to speak openly about the fact that young Latinos are having sex, as shown by the rate of teen pregnancy, among other warning signs, said Sánchez Soto.

It's better to concentrate on creating a dialogue about protection, more so than morality, he said. "Lengthening lives and avoiding infection carries a much higher moral value," he added.

In terms of public policy, activists call for funding for HIV prevention programs to be restored to community organizations, which have traditionally educated the public on how to avoid contracting the virus.