Global AIDS Prevention Gives Short Shrift to Gays

GLOBAL: "Global AIDS Prevention Gives Short Shrift to Gays"
Associated Press (08.09.08):: Julie Watson

Although HIV infections among men who have sex with men (MSM) are rising in many countries, UNAIDS figures show that in 2006, less than 1 percent of the $669 million spent globally on HIV prevention targeted these men. This is the smallest proportion of money targeting any at-risk population. Many MSM insist they are not gay, and many governments deny the existence of homosexuality.

During the opening ceremony of the 17th International AIDS Conference in Mexico City, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on other countries "to follow Mexico's bold example and pass laws against homophobia." In 2003, Mexico banned discrimination based on sexual orientation, and it has opened clinics labeled homophobia-free. A national ad campaign includes radio spots in which mothers talk about accepting their gay sons.

Jorge Saavedra, who is HIV-positive and heads Mexico's AIDS prevention program, publicly declared his homosexuality for the first time at the conference, drawing loud applause from attendees. His department has earmarked 10 percent of its $12 million budget toward HIV prevention among MSM.

Data from 128 countries collected by the American Foundation for AIDS Research show that MSM are 19 times more likely to be HIV-infected than the general population. In Mexico, MSM are 109 times more likely to be infected. Kevin Frost, the foundation's CEO, said Thailand - for years lauded as an example for its massive condom-promotion efforts - is now seeing among MSM "an emerging epidemic of really unbelievable proportions." HIV prevalence among Thai MSM is now more than 15 percent, compared to 1.4 percent in the general population.

"This fight needs to be driven by epidemiologists," not only for the sake of human rights, but for the sake of public health, said Chris Beyrer, director of the Center for Public Health and Human Rights at the Johns Hopkins University. "It's a virus, so you need to put the money where the virus is," he said.