BBC: Archbishop Tutu calls for end to gay stigma

[Fintan]

BBC News - Tutu calls for end to gay stigma to help tackle HIV

Archbishop Desmond Tutu has called for homosexuality to be decriminalised to help tackle HIV.

His comments come in an analysis in The Lancet journal of why incidence of the virus continues to grow among men who have sex with men.

Dr Tutu said anti-homosexuality laws would in the future be seen as "wrong" as apartheid laws are now.

Campaigners said it was important for community leaders to speak out.

The archbishop is patron of the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation, based in Cape Town, which provides treatment for HIV and carries out research.

Writing in The Lancet, he said: "In the future, the laws that criminalise so many forms of human love and commitment will look the way apartheid laws do to us now - so obviously wrong.

"Never let anyone make you feel inferior for being who you are. When you live the life you were meant to live, in freedom and dignity".

Also writing in The Lancet, an international team of researchers, led by Prof Chris Beyrer of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in the US, said men who have sex with men (MSM) bore a "disproportionate burden" of HIV.

The fact HIV was first identified in gay men has "indelibly marked the global response" and "stigmatised those living with the virus", they said.

The researchers' paper said there was optimism among HIV specialists about the potential to use prevention, such as the drug Truvada, to reduce levels of HIV in men who have sex with men.

Earlier this week, the US Food and Drug Administration approved Truvada for preventative use in those at high risk of infection and who may engage in sexual activity with HIV-infected partners, the first time it has approved a drug to prevent HIV infection.

'Struggle for equity'

But the international team said the picture was very different in many other countries.

"In too many settings in 2012, MSM still do not have access to the most basic of HIV services and technologies such as affordable and accessible condoms, appropriate lubricants and safe HIV testing and counselling," they said.

"The struggle for equity in HIV services is likely to be inseparably linked to the struggle for sexual minority rights—and hence to be both a human rights struggle, and in many countries, a civil rights one."

The paper, published on the eve of the international Aids 2012 conference, adds that by the end of 2011, only 87 countries had reported prevalence of HIV in MSM.

Data is most sparse in the Middle East and Africa, where homosexual activity is a criminal offence.

The researchers call for same-sex relations to be decriminalised in all countries, so that a true picture of the scale of HIV in men who have sex with men can be ascertained.

A spokeswoman for the UK's Terrence Higgins Trust said: "We've got to have community leaders and people with influence speaking out.

"That's why what Desmond Tutu is saying is so important."

And she said it was right to focus efforts on men who have sex with men, in all countries.

She added: "In London, one in seven gay men has HIV."

[Aeon Magus]

Just because it was first identified in gay men, does not mean they are the cause, or the only carriers, of said disease - Plenty straight people have the disease as well.

But kudos to the Tutu-Man for speaking about this.

[ANightDude]

"Never let anyone make you feel inferior for being who you are. When you live the life you were meant to live, in freedom and dignity".

What a good man. I'm glad he's speaking out. Here's hoping he can make a difference.

[IrisM]

*Claps* It's nice to see the religious community come in on our side every now and again.

[Bobbgooduk]

AeonMagus - I believe that the vast majority of new HIV patients in Africa are heterosexual. I saw a programme which discussed the idea that many African men see the use of condoms as "unmanly". They visit prostitutes, get infected, then infect their wives.

It's grossly unfair and inaccurate to think of it as a "gay" disease.

Now that Tutu has spoken out, we just need the Vatican to get a real grip and allow the use of condoms. I think the prophylactic benefits of condoms far outway ANY moral considerations.

[JudasKissedHIM]

You are righy Bobbgooduk. But many of them also believe HIV/AIDS can be prevented by taking a shower after unprotected sex, having sex with virgins and having sex with female babies.

AND our dear ex Minister of Health told the masses to eat garlic to prevent HIV/AIDS. To you and me it might seem silly but people are really uneducated in this country so they will believe anything that comes from someone they deem 'educated'.

[Aeon Magus]

Originally Posted by Bobbgooduk

AeonMagus - I believe that the vast majority of new HIV patients in Africa are heterosexual. I saw a programme which discussed the idea that many African men see the use of condoms as "unmanly". They visit prostitutes, get infected, then infect their wives.

Would it not have been great if everyone saw this programme you speak of? At least then the "stigma" of HIV being a "gay disease" would be questioned.
And yes, many heterosexual men think that by using that particular contraceptive makes them less of a man. Though it puzzles me how...

Originally Posted by Bobbgooduk

Now that Tutu has spoken out, we just need the Vatican to get a real grip and allow the use of condoms. I think the prophylactic benefits of condoms far outway ANY moral considerations.

The pope should wave his hand and allow condoms to be used again, I agree. But one programme (which he may not have seen) and the opinion of an Archbishop from South Africa may not be enough to sway him.
It's also fascinating to me that when a public figure (regardless of title or social standing) has an opinion on consumer goods and/or brands, people are much more inclined to follow that individual's lead. Sheep... When will people start to think for themselves?

Originally Posted by JudasKissedHIM

You are righy Bobbgooduk. But many of them also believe HIV/AIDS can be prevented by taking a shower after unprotected sex, having sex with virgins and having sex with female babies.

Illustrated by many of Zapiro's Zuma/Showerhead cartoons. LOL! In newspapers I read the heading of each article until I find something of interest, then you see these images and remember what the person in the cartoon has said not so long ago. It still makes me chuckle.
The second is just wrong. If it was found that having sex with a virgin could cure HIV/AIDS, would it not have been made public?
The third is just utterly disgusting. And yet, it is true that it happens. There are sick bastards who do this. I still believe that people that do things like that should have their junk smashed in with a sledgehammer. Or neutered at the VERY least.

Originally Posted by JudasKissedHIM

AND our dear ex Minister of Health told the masses to eat garlic to prevent HIV/AIDS. To you and me it might seem silly but people are really uneducated in this country so they will believe anything that comes from someone they deem 'educated'.

I remember this. I was confused that day, wondering if it's true or if she was high on crack. It astounds me that people can make huge discoveries like this, announce it publicly and then expect everyone just to take their word for it. I mean, GARLIC!!? REALLY???

[Dasc Crescent]

This was very unexpected, good for him!
For this to come from him will make a pretty big difference I think, a known and accepted leader for many saying this? It's awesome :3
now all that's left is for the next pope to pro-gay!
Take that churches!

[Fintan]

I don't know how much sway an Anglican/Episcopalian Archbishop would have over the Pope and the Catholic Vatican. However, Archbishop Tutu does have some significant sway within his own church.

The Anglican/Episcopal Church essentially allows the synod (parliament) of each province (national church) to decide where it stands on gay marriage. This ranges from the Episcopal Church of the United States that conducts gay marriages, to the Anglican Church of Canada which is on the verge of it, to the Church of England which is fighting a losing battle against gay marriage with the Conservative British Government -- to Asian/Caribbean/African Anglican Churches which are still vehemently against it.