HIV Advocates on Stepping up the pace: How to make the long term short term

     

‘What good are interventions if we live like we have a gun to our heads?’

At AIDS 2014 Plenary Session, Founder of HIV Advocates Laurindo Garcia reminded us of how far we have to go in stepping up the pace towards ending HIV. Amidst the buzz and excitement around medical and scientific advancements, there is a pressing need for more focus on the social and political dimensions of the epidemic. For it is these dimensions that are often neglected, that provide the basis for fundamental change in laws and policies, and behavior and attitudes. We need to remember that not only are we fighting a HIV epidemic, but an epidemic of hate and intolerance.

Research shows us that violence, discrimination and hate are barriers to effective public health measures. We now know that anti-retroviral treatment can suppress one’s HIV viral load to the point where it can be no longer transmissible. Yet access to these treatment services will be limited as judgment, stigma and discrimination from health professionals, community leaders, family and friends persist. As long as it is illegal to be gay, as it is in 79 countries around the world, or as long as sex work, harm reduction services, and HIV transmission is criminalized, the end of the epidemic is far from sight. As scientists and researchers near closer to developing a vaccine, or even perhaps a cure, and as they develop a wider armory of HIV preventive technologies we need concerted effort towards removing barriers to health services. People will remain in hiding, in the shadows, marginalized, driven away from the very health services that they need and have a right to.

Not only is fear, prejudice and discrimination costing lives, and stifling the AIDS response, but it is also counterproductive for societies and economies. The World Bank estimates that the economic costs of homophobia ranges from 0.1 percent to 1.7% of a country’s GDP. Homophobia leads to a loss of employment, workplace or educational discrimination, poor health and poverty. Fabrice Houdart, president of World Bank GLOBE, an LGBT resource group within the organization called discrimination a  “significant, self-inflicted economic wound.”

Perhaps then the proverbial gun to our heads is homophobia, hate, intolerance and fear. Garcia unveiled his New HIV Research Agenda: an Anti-Hate Pill, an Anti-Violence Condom, and an Intolerance Vaccine. Perhaps now is a potent time to ask ourselves what homophobia, hate and intolerance costs? What does it cost to individuals, to community and public health, and to our societies and global community?

What action can be taken? Garcia presented four antidotes. Protect people form harm. Provide access to treatment. Make our spaces more inclusive. Appeal for more empathy.

What will you do to #StopHomophobia #StopTransphobia #StopHateViolence #StopBullying #HelpEndHIV

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On May 17 IDAHOT 2014 join HIV Advocates to ensure No Silence on anti-gay laws in Russia

             

By Alexei Lakhov

Every year, on May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia #IDAHOT is held. It is a day when people of different cultures and genders can get together and reach out to one another, not judging each other by their sexual orientation. However, in Russia this day can be marred by violence.

         

A picket against same-sex liaisons is planned in Chelyabinsk on May 17. Up to 300 people may participate in this event that threatens to turn violent against the local LGBT-community.

In Habarovsk, around 100 people are going to attend a flash-mob dedicated to IDAHOT. However the organizer of this event, LGBT-activist Alexander Yermoshkin, has reportedly received several threats in relation to this flash-mob. Also, Yermoshkin has had to ask the city administration to provide the participants of the event with medical help, if needed.

Needless to say, the anti-gay law against the “promotion of homosexuality among adolescents” affects the response against HIV. Whilst HIV infection rates are dropping throughout the world they are on the rise in Russia.

“Certainly, such laws don’t help to stop the spread of HIV epidemic in Russia”, - says Yulia Godunova, the Executive Director of the women’s network “E.V.A.” Its mission is to improve the quality of life for women and their families affected by HIV and other socially significant diseases in the Russian Federation. – “Quite the contrary: it can become one of the contributing factors because homophobia nurtures violence and violence leads to more HIV cases”.

Of course, there are members of “E.V.A.” who belong to the LGBT-community. Some of them declare themselves as being openly gay; others don’t want to talk about it in the open for fear of discrimination and violence.

“We try not to focus on sexual orientation at all”, - adds Yulia Godunova. - “HIV doesn’t differ between cultures, genders and orientations. We try to help as many women and members of their families as we can, not asking about their gender identities or sexuality”.

This #May17IDAHOT protect LGBT expression in Russia and beyond. End intimidation and violence #nosilence Join the Thunderclap here and add your voice to the global chorus!

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‘Young Living’ in Sao Paolo in Brazil goes ‘Virtual’

Grupo de Incentivo a Vida (GIV) works with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Sao Paolo Brazil. Fernanda, a GIV pro bono rights lawyer says that “Mobilizing these key populations means more people can live with dignity and respect”

As an extension of their ‘Young Living Project’, GIV created a virtual space on Facebook in which LGBT youth can interact, obtain information on updated HIV prevention methods, and on fighting prejudice and discrimination based on sexual orientation, identity and gender expression.

Murilo Mariano from GIV shared some insights on the project with HIV Advocates.

How is a ‘virtual project’ different from a ‘real world’ project?

Similar to ‘real-world’ projects we aim to create spaces that establish a platform for mutual understanding and celebration of young LGBT identity. In our HIV prevention work, we do not impose behaviour norms, but respect and recognize people as complex, multi-faceted individuals who are not just another ‘HIV/AIDS statistic’. The pros of working within the virtual world is that there are no power relations and a horizontal discussion amongst equals can take place.

Why did you decide to focus on youth?

Being an adolescent or youth is to face endless adversities and conflicts. This period can be even more painful and lonely for LGBT people. Issues on acceptance from family, friends and society, and negotiating new sexual relationships make this group especially vulnerable. Providing a space for open and non-judgmental discussion helps them to strengthen their identity and self esteem so that they can live within a society that often does not know how to deal with difference.

How important is identity and self esteem in HIV/AIDS prevention work?

In order to discuss HIV/AIDS prevention, it is first needed to consider the way that individuals view themselves and the extent that they seem themselves as part of citizenry. So strengthening LGBT and youth identity becomes a constant and permanent activity for raising and maintaining other discussions.  

On our FB page, we post movies, cultural events, and run social media contests such as ‘Homophobia Out of Fashion’ so that we can create a space where homosexuality is normalized.

Information shared on sexual orientation, identity and gender expression.

How does GIV’s Young Living Project inspire activism amongst youth LGBT population in Brazil?

We encourage youth to have a political stance through the dissemination of events, lectures and manifestations in order to show them the importance of LGBT activism as a way of exercising citizenship, protecting their rights and transforming their society.

The participants also are encouraged to post incidences of violence and experiences of prejudice and discrimination. We see this as a documentation process that can call public and official attention to the reality of homophobia and HIV-related discrimination.

“Through this group, it is possible to get to know ourselves better, share our viewpoints and provide ourselves with tools that will keep us away from several vulnerabilities. We will also talk about protecting ourselves from homophobia, construct our sexual orientation and gender identities, protect our rights and discuss how we want to be seen by society.  

It is our space.

Let´s get to know ourselves better. Let’s have fun and learn. Share your  favorite music and movies; share your viewpoints about the world. Clear your doubts and bring us your questions”. Young Living Facebook Description

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