News
HST collects relevant news from a variety of sources, for your convenience and thus has no control over the content of these news articles. Select a story from below, or use our search feature to find stories of interest.

Gays neglected in HIV/AIDS campaigns
Plusnews
2004-09-23

South Africa's homosexuals are finding themselves excluded from safe sex campaigns, despite evidence of rising prevalence rates in the gay community.

According to research presented at a recently held first African Congress on Sexual Health and Rights, anti-AIDS programmes solely targeted heterosexuals, leaving gay men and lesbians at greater risk of contracting HIV.

While admitting that current safer sex campaigns focused on heterosexual HIV transmission, the Ministry of Health said it also accommodated gays and lesbians.

We have taken a multisectoral approach on the issue by urging greater involvement from groups addressing the needs of homosexuals and disabled people. While some groups have presented proposals to us, the Lesbian and Gay Equality Project has made little effort, said health ministry spokesman, Sibani Mngadi.

Knoesen, the director of the Lesbian and Gay Equality Project countered that it was not the responsibility of NGO's to set policies on HIV/AIDS, but acknowledged the lack of action from gay men and women.

Knoesen added that while club owners benefited financially from the drug trade on their premises, it was unethical, criminal and negligent for them not to take the necessary precautions to protect their patrons. On a recent visit to apopular gay nightclub in Johannesburg, PlusNews observed the free flow of narcotics and on-site-sex, but no condom vending machines.

One club-goer revealed that ecstasy pills cost around US 13 each, while cocaine and Kat would set a buyer back just over 61 per gram. Research has shown that use of the stimulant, Kat, is rising. This is not the traditional leaf chewed by the people of eastern Africa and parts of the Arabian peninsula, but a synthetic powder, often compared by users to crystal meths or cocaine.

Supplied in small quantities in plastic bags called 'snatches', Kat produces feelings of euphoria, heightened awareness, increased confidence, alertness, energy and sexual stimulation.

An easily accessible labyrinth of darkrooms - otherwise know as chill areas - on the upper level of the club catered to the sexual needs of many patrons. Besides the lack of condoms, there was also an absence of information on HIV and AIDS. Lucian (name changed), a gay HIV-positive foreign national, was appalled at the lack of HIV/AIDS education in South Africa, even after a recently implemented national antiretroviral drug rollout.

Until the South African government and club owners actually take the initiative, it is entirely up to the gay community to protect themselves against HIV by making use of whatever available protection there is, Knoesen concluded. (Source: Plusnews, 16 September 2004)

Keywords	This Item is associated with the Following Keywords: .
You Can Comment on this Item, or View other people's Comments
Easy Print  Email to a friend

	Related News
	South Africa: Drug use flourishing (2002-07-04) HIV 'increasing in gay men and prostitutes' (2006-06-15) Africa: Reproductive rights of HIV-positive women ignored (2002-12-12) South Africa: Focus on growing interest in the female condom. (2003-02-13) HIV-Positive Women Talk It Over in 'Mama's Club' (2006-08-11)

	Related Publications
	Lesbian health: more than screening for breast cancer and mental health (2008-10-14) Civil Society Report-back on dialogue on Male Circumcision: Implications for Women (2008-08-15) Addressing stigma and discrimination in the workplace - The example of ESKOM, South Africa (2004-10-15) National HIV and Syphilis Antenatal Sero-Prevalence Survey in South Africa 2004 (2005-07-13) Acceptance of Violence Amongst Female Learners in Rural High Schools of Kwazulu Natal (KZN) (2008-03-12)

	Related Health Statistics
	HIV prevalence (%) (antenatal) (2004-10-04) Number of admissions for alcohol and other drug abuse (2007-05-21) AIDS sick (number of people with AIDS-defining conditions) (2005-04-20) Age of first sex =<14 years (% having first had sex at age 14 or younger) (2004-05-21) AIDS orphans (2005-04-20)

	Related Events
	BUILDING ALLIANCES FOR EQUITY IN HEALTH - SOUTHERN AFRICAN REGIONAL CONFERENCE (2000-09-13) The First Congress for the Advancement of Sexual Health and Rights in Africa (2004-02-25) 2nd National Multisectoral AIDS Conference - Tanzania (2002-12-16) African Conference on Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS Research (2002-09-01) 8th Reproductive Health Priorities Conference (2002-10-01)

	Related links
	Mpilonhle Project Policy Project AIDS Law Project World AIDS Day AfroAIDSinfo

	Related Content
	Treatment Monitor: Sexual and Reproductive Intentions (2008-02-14) The Community Development Programme (2004-04-07) Treatment Monitor: Treatment as part of a continuum of care (2007-07-11) Summary Bulletin 10 (August) - DHS-LG Discussion List (2004-07-16) ISDS Site: Greater Sekhukhune District Municipality (2004-05-10)