WORLD AIDS DAY 2012:
Reflections on the Impact of HIV/AIDS on LGBT Communities in Africa, Asia and the Middle East
A Statement from the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission
"Let's promise to learn more about AIDS and let's keep our promises."
Poster produced by UNAIDS and UNICEF, in Persian.
December 1, 2012
GRACE POORE, Program Coordinator for Asia and Pacific Islands
The 2012 World AIDS Day theme of zero discrimination cannot be achieved when the first-ever declaration of human rights in
Asia consciously and deliberately denies human rights protections for LGBT people , when political leaders publicly vilify and spread prejudice against gay people , when LGBT people are accused of spreading AIDS , when murders of lesbians are ignored , when laws are used to target LGBT people . There is no
such thing as one kind of discrimination. Zero discrimination has to mean ending multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, and
embracing human rights protections for ALL marginalized and vulnerable people.
DAMIAN UGWU, Program Coordinator for Africa
Criminalization of same-sex relationships in Africa as well as widespread discrimination and stigmatization of lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender people often fuels HIV infections among our communities. African governments must come to terms with the fact that no
meaningful progress can be made in the fight against the HIV and AIDS pandemic in Africa without the decriminalization of
homosexuality and protection of LGBT human rights.
HOSSEIN ALIZADEH, Program Coordinator for Middle East and North Africa
Over three decades after the outbreak of the AIDS epidemic, in many countries in the Middle East and North Africa "morality"
and religious dogmas continue to blur public understanding of this disease. HIV/AIDS is often viewed as a divine punishment for
sexually promiscuous individuals. This stereotyping forces members of at-risk communities to avoid discussion of the issue,
which in turn keeps members of society in the dark and increases the danger for individuals to unknowingly be exposed to
the virus. In some cases authorities manipulate the data and suggest that there is no HIV in their society. It is time
for all societies to put aside prejudice and denial, and start an open and free discussion around prevention and treatment strategies.
###
The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC), founded in 1990, is a leading international
human rights organization dedicated to improving the lives of people who experience discrimination or abuse on the basis of
their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. We are dedicated to strengthening the capacity of the LGBT human
rights movement worldwide to conduct documentation of LGBT human rights violations and by engaging in human rights
advocacy with partners around the globe. We work with the United Nations, regional human rights monitoring bodies
and civil society partners. IGLHRC holds consultative status at the United Nations as a recognized
Non-Governmental Organization representing the concerns and human rights of lesbian, gay bisexual
and transgender people worldwide. For more information about the International Gay and Lesbian
Human Rights Commission visit: www.iglhrc.org
Reproduced with permission - "INTERNATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (IGLHRC)"
INTERNATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (IGLHRC)
For more HIV and AIDS News visit...
Positively Positive - Living with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS News
|
