By Melanie Nathan, April 10, 2014.
Michele Sidebè of UNAID warned Uganda before the enactment of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill that its policies could lead to disaster for all Ugandans when it comes to HIV/AIDS research prevention and services. We had a glimpse of the unfolding disaster last week when the Walter Reed Research project was raided by police, based on lies, alleging that homosexuals were being recruited using U.S.A. money. An employee arrest was made by Ugandan authorities and the funders had to close down the research project.
The U.S.A. has now been given little choice but to re-evaluate its funding policies which may be putting many at risk, including those whose privacy may be invaded through the seizing of medical information by Ugandan police.
Under the new Anti-Homosexuality Act, gazetted on March 10, 2014, people can be arrested for the phoney notion of ‘promoting’ homosexuality and HIV AIDS services are not only at great risk of misinterpretation, but also at greater risk of being used a tool of persecution.
HIVMA, The HIV Medicine Association is an organization of medical professionals who practice HIV medicine and who represent the interests of HIV health care providers and researchers and their patients by promoting quality in HIV care and by advocating for policies that ensure a comprehensive and humane response to the AIDS pandemic informed by science and social justice. – See more.
Now HIVMA has written this letter, scanned below, begging The Honorable Deborah Birx, the Ambassador at large of the Office of The Global AIDS Coordinator in Washington D.C. , warning of disaster if Aids funding were to be curbed.
The letter speaks for itself.
What do you think?
Ugandan President Museveni is either a complete moron or has willingly led his people down this path. Once a leader on the war against HIV, Museveni now leads the war against LGBTI people, and has done so for his own political game, in a desperate attempt to hold on to his dictatorship. Not only at the expense of LGBTI Ugandans, but at the expense of all Ugandans, and Africa at large.
Howe do you think the U.S. and the world should respond.
HIVMA STATEMENT ON THE BILL
HIV AIDS Services Raided by Ugandan Police in War on Gays
More LGBT Ugandans placed at risk of death while Project left with no choice but to suspend activities
By Melanie Nathan, April 4, 2014.
ALSO Surely President Zuma should open his South on this issue too as more and more Africans migrate to South Africa, seeking ARVS and refuge?
So proud of Melanie!!! You are speaking the total truth. “Being gay shouldn’t be a crime because no one is hurt by other’s orientations”- is 100% correct.
It’s unfortunate that as has been discussed before- you have these people who are questioning- AND you have their mates/families/friends/culture not accepting it…this makes for a volatile emotional base.
These are the people who are reacting & making anti-gay laws with frightened anger against the LGBTI community. They set themselves up to lose— like a self-flagellation event?
Just wanted to say, “thank you” Melanie- for going where we cannot all go, for saying what we all believe, & for standing up in the face of so much blatant bigotry & discrimination.
Thank you TRacy for your support…. much appreciated