Health News
Mexico's anti-homophobia campaign offers lessons to world (Feature)
By Sumita Thapar Aug 6, 2008, 3:02 GMT
Mexico City - In Mexico City, home to the XVII International AIDS Conference, it is not uncommon to see men embracing and kissing each other in shopping malls or walking down the street holding hands.
Such open displays of homosexuality were rare just a few years ago, said Charlie, a 42-year-old, gay man who is HIV positive. Mass- media campaigns and a civil union law for same-sex couples have encouraged greater acceptance of homosexuality in Mexico, even within largely homophobic Latin society.
Tears in his eyes, Charlie said that a decade ago there were only 30 people who formed Mexico's openly gay community. 'Today, only two of us are alive. Information was little, and treatment was very expensive,' he told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.
Mexico has an estimated 198,000 people living with HIV. According to UNAIDS, the joint United Nations programme on HIV/AIDS, unprotected sex between men accounts for more than half of the infections.
'Ignore the men-who-have-sex-with-men populations and you lose the fight against AIDS,' said Jorge Saavedra, who has led Mexico's National HIV/AIDS Programme, CENSIDA, since 2003.
In every region of the world, HIV infection rates are much higher among men who have sex with men (MSM) than in the general population. Studies reveal that MSM are on an average 19 times more likely to get infected than heterosexual men in poor and middle-income countries.
'MSMs are excluded from (HIV prevention and care) services. We have not tried enough. Mexico, Australia and Brazil have shown that effective response among MSMs is possible,' Saavedra said.
Mexico's bold initiatives to tackle both homophobia and the spread of HIV have served to change the landscape for AIDS prevention in Latin America.
Saavedra was responsible for launching the Mexican policy of universal access to antiretroviral drugs, which currently covers 47,000 people living with HIV and AIDS. In 2004, he spearheaded an official anti-machismo education campaign, following it up a year later with the first government-endorsed anti-homophobia drive. In 2006, he appointed the first transgender woman in a government position.
Activists in Mexico say that Saavedra's policies, such as the civil union law that came into force last year, have helped combat homophobia. The law may not legalize same-sex marriage or allow gays and lesbians to adopt children, but it does give couples the right to inherit property and have joint health and life insurance policies.
Saavedra, the first openly gay national leader in Mexico, called for greater involvement of MSM in the planning of national AIDS responses globally, the decriminalization of sexual behaviour between consenting adults and greater commitment from donors to pay for MSM programmes.
He said that his new goal was to officially declare the 51 new walk-in HIV clinics in Mexico as 'homophobia-free services.'
When the conference opened, UNAIDS executive director Peter Piot said: 'I salute Mexico's anti-homophobia campaign - one of the boldest and most creative in the world.'
In 86 countries, consensual, adult homosexual activity is a criminal offence. In 10 countries it is punishable by death.
Crimes against homosexuals all over the world include killing, torture and arbitrary imprisonment. Homophobia increases their vulnerability to HIV and is one of the main drivers of the AIDS epidemic.
'It is very difficult to provide services to MSM in countries that do not acknowledge their existence,' said Craig McClure, executive director of the International AIDS Society, which organizes the biennial conference.
Saavedra said: 'Homophobia comes from ignorance and prejudices that come from religious beliefs. (MSM) is not a population to blame for HIV. It is a sub-group that is suffering most the impact of HIV.'
Jamie Lopez, 45, a lawyer and gay-rights activist in Mexico City, helped compile a book about 10 local gay couples: 'We asked our friends to come forward to tell their story. Many were afraid to talk openly about it. One couple has three children they look after, but they cannot adopt them officially.'
'The best way to change society is to make ourselves visible and demand our rights,' Lopez said. 'People want you to be in closet. We are a very conservative society. Religion has caused a lot of homophobia.'
Brazil has also shown remarkable leadership in stamping out homophobia. Prompted by high levels of violence against homosexuals and a need to ensure their rights, Brazil established a Mixed Parliamentary Front for Free Sexual Expression in October 2003.
Two years later, a campaign called Brazil Against Homophobia was officially launched. The National Business Council on AIDS attempts to sensitize business leaders about countering homophobia in the workplace.
'There is greater openness to homosexuality in Brazil. The national programme is partnering with gay groups to provide leadership. A section of the church has also been supportive of gay rights,' Carlos Andre Passarelli, director of Brazil's International Centre for Technical Cooperation on HIV/AIDS, told dpa.
'AIDS has some positive aspects - it has brought visibility to groups like the MSM. It has given them funds to organize themselves and prevent HIV.'
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Older Talkback
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How does this fall at the door step of religion. Most major religions consider homosexuality a sin, It is thier job to show compassion for the sinner, not tolerance of the sin. It is the homosexual act that is an abomination not the individuals commiting them. I am a Christian, and I don't believe that a homosexuals sins are any greater than my own. That said, it is not the responsibility of religion to change it's doctrine so we can feel better about our transgressions.
i am a christian and i believe that homosexuality is wrong i dont believe there are diff levels of sin. for example in 1 corinthians 6:9 it lists many sins including homosexuality at the same level. we as christians are taught to hate the sin not the person. I hate the sin of homosexuality i do not hate the person. I applaude mexico for their attempt to show that we as a society should not condemn the homesexual community . although they should include that according to many religions including christianity believe homosexuality is a sin, they should not promote it. We as christians, and Americans should not approve of their lifestyle choice, but accept the person and not show fear in the form of hatred towards homosexuals.
As a gay man (approaching 50 years of age) my greatest sense of unease has always comes about when I must interact with heterosexuals who are 'Christian.'
As Saavedra said: 'Homophobia comes from ignorance and prejudices that come from religious beliefs.' In my entire life I have never met a 'religious Christian' who treated me with respect upon learning I am homosexual. The turn-about in attitudes toward me after thinking I am heterosexual to learning I am not is quite startling. I have however met many heterosexuals who are not Christian who have greeted me warmly, with respect and very much needed emotional support.
Using the bible, 'God's Word,' as an excuse to limit rights and freedoms for homosexuals, lesbians and transgendered people is just wrong. Were it not such a sad and dire situation it would almost be laughable. I find it interesting that with all the 'stone throwing' from religious groups that we never hear about how David and Jonathon 'had a love greater than that between a man and a woman.' With all the hate mongering the prejudiced reading of the bible brings about, it is sad that the following message is lost in the shuffle; Two Men Can Love Each Other More Than A Man And A Woman! It's right there, in the bible, in black and white. In a world filled with war, poverty, hunger and crime, this message should be broadcast loud and wide from every pulpit, it is strongly and urgently needed.
There are many messages in the bible about 'What One Should Not Do.' It is interesting how homosexuality is so singled out and provides the 'encouragement' for hate crimes. Search 'homosexual hate crimes' to learn more if you don't think this is much of a problem. Learn about this and ask yourself, 'What is the source of so much hate?'
I walk out my door each morning to go about my daily life realizing that I could meet someone who decides that the best way dealing with having met me is to kill me. I don't live in fear, but I would be an idiot to not acknowledge this and be mindful of it when I am out and about. I doubt many heterosexuals must think this way about their daily lives.
It might surprise many to learn the Catholic Church performed homosexual marriages early in its history. It might also be an interesting lesson to learn the truth about why that came to a halt and the resulting changes stopping it has wrought. Do your own research!
My greatest and dearest enduring support comes from our Creator. I know from several enlightening experiences in my life that there truly is a higher power, a Creator who made this incredible and awesome universe and is accessible to us each in our daily lives - yes, even homosexuals. I place no limits on the Creator's ability to love every living thing created. We each should strive to open ourselves to giving and receiving the abundance our Creator provides us. That door is never fully open as long as a person has it in their heart that another is less than their self for any reason.
...meanwhile, they have crushing poverty, in what is actually a rich nation, out-of-control drug gang activity, corruption up to their necks, but we're sure glad they like gays and lesbians.
Timothy,
I'm very intersted in reading the scriptures you mentioned, but you forgot to sight the chapter and verse, and as you know it's a big Book. If you would, please site your source.
Without having read the passage you quoted let me say this, two biblical men loving each other does not suggest that they were having a carnal relationship and certainly does not imply that God approves of homosexuality or any other sexual sin.
You also remarked on the corruption of the Catholic Church, and I asure you that no one would be surprised, as you suggested, by thier corruption.
The list of do's and don'ts you mentioned is in Leviticus, the third book of the Bible. It is important to note when reading it that this book consists of Laws pertaining to Levitical priests, or sons of Aaron. It is a list of rules you can use to help govern your relationship with God. Every loving relationship has rules, certain things you do and certain things you don't. When we break God's rules, it doesn't anger God, like he's some sort of control freak, instead it hurts God, because of what breaking the rule says about your love for him.
These laws set the fondation for Jesus' ultimate sacrafice. If we didn't have the Old Testament Law and the stories of how the Jews struggled so much with trying to stay Holy, then we would not be able to comprehend the significance of being set free.
Homosexuals aren't sinning any greater than anyone else, what sets them apart is thier apparent desire to remain in sin, and then accuse Christians of being exclusionary. All Christians are sinners, repentance is the difference.
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Richard E. SherwinAug 6th, 2008 - 07:39:48
Im glad to see that both homophobia and the spread of aids are being attacked simultaneously by government level agencies... both are to me criminal activities threatening the cultural and religious values of charity, decency, and concern for each others' wellbeing.
Keep up the good work. Mexico shouldnt have had to be a world leader in this matter, and this combined approach shouldnt have had to be world news, had religions lived up in action to their professed values of concern for all fellow human beings.
Richard E. Sherwin
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