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Anti-gay
discrimination fuels HIV/AIDS in Africa
02 Mar 2007 - African governments are denying access to HIV
prevention, counseling, testing and treatment to gay, bisexuals and
transgender people, according to a new report.
The
International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission in a report
entitled 'Off the Map' said same-sex practicing couples are being denied
basic human rights.
Africa is the continent hardest hit by HIV/AIDS. With slightly more than
10 percent of the world's population, it is home to 60 percent, or more
than 25 million people, living with
HIV/AIDS.
"But nearly a quarter of a century into the epidemic, there is a wall of
silence that surrounds AIDS and same-sex practices that may prove to be
a significant obstacle to conquering the disease," according to the
124-page report by New York based- non-governmental organization.
"Same-sex transmission of HIV in Africa has been under-counted,
under-researched and under-funded," it added.
The
report lists numerous cases where African gays and lesbians have been
denied treatment, ridiculed and embarrassed and described the double
discrimination of being homosexual and HIV positive.
Cary Alan Johnson, the author of the report, said the denial of
homosexuality in Africa contributes to the human rights violations
against gay people and increases their vulnerability.
"Homophobic stigma, the denial of homosexuality, and legislation that
criminalizes same-sex behavior, all serve to push the issue of same-sex
HIV transmission further underground, and drastically limit HIV
services," Johnson said.
"All of the social inequalities and prejudices increase the
vulnerability of gay and lesbian people. If that vulnerability is not
addressed...the entire AIDS prevention programs that African governments
are committing to are threatened," he added in an interview.
The
report urges governments in Africa to repeal all laws that criminalize
same sex consensual behavior. In countries which have no
anti-homosexuality laws, it calls on leaders to end the arrest,
harassment and persecution of people because of their sexual
orientation.
Other recommendations include training healthcare professionals to
ensure they respect the right of patients and the appointment of
specialists in same-sex HIV issues.
"We
want African governments to use their resources from their own coffers
and from international donors to fund programs that address the issue of
HIV prevention among gay and lesbian Africans," Johnson added.
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