With Harsh Anti-L.G.B.T.Q. Law, Uganda Risks a Health Crisis

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The country had made great progress against H.I.V. Now terrified patients have fled clinics, and experts fear a resurgence.

For decades, Uganda’s campaign against H.I.V. was exemplary, slashing the country’s death rate by nearly 90 percent from 1990 to 2019. Now a sweeping law enacted last year, the Anti-Homosexuality Act, threatens to renew the epidemic as L.G.B.T.Q. citizens are denied, or are too afraid to seek out, necessary medical care.

The law criminalizes consensual sex between same-sex adults. It also requires all citizens to report anyone suspected of such activity, a mandate that makes no exceptions for health care providers tending to patients.

Under the law, merely having same-sex relationships while living with H.I.V. can incur a charge of “aggravated homosexuality,” which is punishable by death.

Anyone who “knowingly promotes homosexuality” — by hiring or housing an L.G.B.T.Q. person, or by not reporting one to the police — faces up to 20 years in jail. Scores of Ugandans have been evicted from homes and fired from jobs, according to interviews with lawyers and activists. » | Apoorva Mandavilli Photographs by Esther Ruth Mbabazi | Friday, January 19, 2024

Act Up - Ein Überlebenskampf | Nach einer wahren Geschichte | ARTE

Aug 21, 2022 Frankreich, 80er Jahre: Als sich Aids rapide ausbreitete, sagte eine Handvoll homosexueller Aktivist:innen HIV den Kampf an. Durch ihre spektakulären und provokanten Aktionen ging "Act Up" mit den Bremsern von Aids-Aufklärung und -Prävention in Politik und Gesellschaft hart ins Gericht. Eine anregende Lektion in Sachen Aktivismus.

In den 80er Jahren, als Aids sich in Frankreich rapide ausbreitete, organisierte sich eine Handvoll Aktivistinnen und Aktivisten und gründete Act Up-Paris. Nach dem Vorbild des „großen Bruders“ – des 1987 gegründeten US-amerikanischen Interessenverbandes Act Up – trat die Vereinigung für die Verteidigung der Rechte aller HIV-Positiven oder an Aids erkrankten Menschen ein. Die Aktivistinnen und Aktivisten kämpften hartnäckig und mit vollem Engagement: Sie verbreiteten sachliche Informationen über die Krankheit, die alle Menschen – unabhängig von sexueller Orientierung – ereilen kann. Außerdem rangen sie um die Behandlung der Kranken und setzten sich unter hohem Zeitdruck für die Aids-Prävention ein.

Die kleine Act Up-Armee schreckte vor nichts zurück und setzte auch auf zivilen Ungehorsam: So warf sie beispielsweise als Protest gegen die Zensur mit Kunstblut gefüllte Wasserbomben. Zielscheiben ihrer Kritik waren die Kirche, die den Gebrauch von Kondomen ablehnte, Politiker, die eine echte Aufklärungskampagne verzögerten, und Forschungslabore, die offenbar nur an ihren Profit dachten. Act Up-Paris provozierte mit plakativen Slogans und legendär gewordenen PR-Aktionen, etwa dem Entrollen eines pinkfarbenen Riesenkondoms über dem Obelisken der Place de la Concorde.

Mit Auszügen aus Robin Campillos Spielfilm „120 BPM“ und Archivmaterial der damaligen Zeit vergegenwärtigt die Dokumentation die unglaubliche Energie, die den Aktivistinnen und Aktivisten von Act Up-Paris zu eigen war.

Dokureihe (F 2021, 27 Min)
Video auf YouTube verfügbar bis 17/02/2023

Co-discoverer of HIV Luc Montagnier Dies Aged 89 - BBC News

Feb 11, 2022 • Luc Montagnier, the French virologist credited as a co-discoverer of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), has died aged 89.

Montagnier was jointly awarded the 2008 Nobel Prize for his work in isolating the virus that causes Aids.

He was lauded for this work, but later criticised for unscientific claims about autism and Covid-19.

He died on Tuesday in Neuilly-sur-Seine "surrounded by his children".

More Straight Than Gay People Are Being Diagnosed with HIV for the First Time in a Decade

INDEPENDENT: The number of new HIV diagnoses in heterosexual people are higher than those in gay and bisexual men for the first time in ten years, according to the UK Health Security Agency (HSA).

In the year leading to December 2021, 45 per cent of all new diagnoses were in gay and bisexual men, while 50 per cent were in heterosexual men or women.

Monday 7 February marks the beginning of the UK’s annual National HIV Testing Week which aims to promote regular testing and reduce late diagnoses. » | Saman Javed | Monday, February 7, 2022

Russland: HIV erreicht die Mittelschicht | DW Deutsch

Die Anzahl der Neuinfektionen mit HIV in Russland steigt weiter. Und die Epidemie ist in der Durchschnittsbevölkerung angekommen. Viele wissen gar nicht, dass sie infiziert sind und haben damit keine Chance auf eine Behandlung.

Foreigners to Be Offered Free Treatment for HIV on the NHS
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Foreigners are to be offered free treatment for HIV on the NHS for the first time under controversial plans backed by ministers.

Those from abroad, including failed asylum seekers, students and tourists are currently barred from receiving free HIV treatment – unlike other infectious diseases.

However, the Government is to support proposals recommended by peers which will end the “anomaly” and allow free treatment even for those not legally settled in Britain.

Campaigners argue that the free treatment is essential as it reduces the risk of Britons being infected – and can help people to be treated for HIV before their condition becomes serious and life-threatening.

However, ministers are braced for criticism that the decision may prompt so-called “health tourism” and put the NHS under financial pressure at a time when hospitals are being forced to find cuts. It typically costs up to £7,000 a year to treat someone diagnosed with HIV and an average of £300,000 per patient over their lifetime with the disease. » | Robert Winnett, Political Editor | Monday, February 27, 2012

Women Of The Revolution - Libya
Watch Journeyman Pictures video here

Dominique Strauss-Kahn Maid Lives in Apartment Block for HIV Sufferers

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The hotel chambermaid who alleges she was sexually attacked by Dominique Strauss-Kahn lives in an apartment block used exclusively for people with HIV or Aids, it emerged on Wednesday.

The maid, who works at the Manhattan Sofitel, claims that on Saturday the IMF managing director locked her in his $3,000-a-night suite, attempted to rape her and forced her to give him oral sex.

The maid was on Wednesday night due to testify before a New York grand jury, which is considering whether or not there is enough evidence to prosecute Mr Strauss-Kahn. If it decides there is, the grand jury, which sits in secret, will issue an indictment that will form the basis of the prosecution in Mr Strauss-Kahn's trial.

The 32-year-old Guinean, who is not being named due to the nature of the alleged attack, has lived in an apartment in The Bronx, the northernmost borough of New York City, since January this year.

The property, where she lives with her 15-year-old daughter, is rented out by the Harlem United Community Aids Center, which provides services including housing to local HIV-positive people.

Typically an adult in the household must be HIV-positive or have Aids to be eligible for one of the group's properties. The maid lived in another Harlem United property from 2008 to this year. » | Jon Swaine, New York | Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Nurses Held in Libya 'Were Tortured'
In 2004 five Bulgarian nurses were found guilty by a Libyan court of deliberately infecting hundreds of children at a Benghazi hospital with HIV.

The nurses, who have always maintained their innocence, say they had been tortured into confessing.

They spent years on death row before finally being freed and sent home in 2007. 

Sonia Gallego spoke with them.

World AIDS Day Rallies Across Asia
Activists throughout Asia rally to promote awareness of HIV and AIDS on World AIDS Day. Video courtesy of Reuters.

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and the Born HIV Free Campaign


Please support:

The Global Fund: To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria >>>

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
 is an international financing institution that invests the world’s money to save lives. To date, it has committed US$ 19.3 billion in 144 countries to support large-scale prevention, treatment and care programs against the three diseases.

NB: 'Tuberculosis' and 'malaria' are not in the keywords/labels below because I have to use keywords/labels which are already in the bank. I have no more space left in the bank to add more. These two words are not in the bank; 'HIV' and 'Aids' are. So this should in no way be mis-read. I am not attaching more importance to one disease over the others. – Mark

Carla Gets Serious
THE TELEGRAPH: Carla Bruni-Sarkozy wore glasses for the first time at a public engagement in a bid to cultivate "a more serious image".

The French First Lady, who turns 43 this year, put the black designer frames on during her appearance as an anti-Aids ambassador at an event in Paris.

Dressed in a low cut, white T-shirt with a campaign slogan on it, the glasses transformed her image.

"Carla always tries to look as young as possible, but the glasses made it clear that she wanted a more serious image", a fashion observer close to Mrs Bruni-Sarkozy said.

She was supporting the Born HIV Free campaign, showing off a limited edition T-shirt, and a logo brooch designed by the jewellers Tiffany & Co.

Mrs Bruni-Sarkozy said: "By 2015, let us end the transmission of HIV from mother to child. This is not a dream - we can do it. Life is too beautiful to end before birth." Carla Bruni-Sarkozy out in glasses for the first time >>> Peter Allen, in Paris | Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Ende der AIDS Diskrimierung: HIV-Infizierte dürfen nach China einreisen
WELT ONLINE: Zwanzig Jahre lang waren die chinesischen Grenzen für HIV-Infizierte geschlossen. Jetzt, kurz vor der Eröffnung der Weltausstellung in in [sic] Shanghai, hob die Regierung das Verbot auf. Man habe eingesehen, dass die Verfügung "sehr begrenzten Einfluss" auf die Ausbreitung der Krankheit habe, hieß es in der Erklärung.

Bild: Welt Online
China reiht sich in seinem Umgang mit HIV-Infizierten unter die medizinisch aufgeklärten Staaten ein. Pekings Staatsrat hob unmittelbar vor der am Sonnabend in Shanghai beginnenden Weltausstellung (Expo 2010), zu der Millionen Ausländer anreisen wollen, seine seit 20 Jahren geltenden Einreiseverbote für alle von der Immunschwäche-Krankheit Aids Betroffene ein. UN-Generalsekretär Ban Ki-moon begrüßte den Regierungsbeschluss, ebenso wie die Leiterin der Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) Margaret Chan und Dutzende Aids-Initiativen in der Welt als ein wichtiges Zeichen, das nun auch China gegen die Stigmatisierung der Aids-Erkrankung setzt. >>> Johnny Erling | Mittwoch, 28. April 2010

Adolf Hitler Sex Video Condemned by Aids Charities
THE TELEGRAPH: An Aids-awareness advert depicting Adolf Hitler having unprotected sex has been condemned by mainstream health charities for stigmatising people infected with the virus.

Adolf Hitler sex video condemned by Aids charities
The provocative commercial, which ends with the tag-line "AIDS is a mass murder", aims to scare young people into using condoms by associating the deadly disease with the German dictator.

In the highly-sexualised clip which can only be shown after the watershed, a couple undress and begin to make love in a dimly-lit bedroom.

But what appears to be a typical, if steamy, advert for perfume or underwear takes a macabre twist when the camera pans to man's face at the moment of climax - revealing him to be Adolf Hitler.

The commercial has been released to coincide with 2009 World Aids Day, but established HIV/Aids charities have distanced themselves from its message, saying that it could make life more difficult for sufferers. >>> Matthew Moore | Friday, September 04, 2009

Aids Is a Mass Murderer >>>

Condoms to Be Advertised Round-the-clock on TV
TIMESONLINE: Condoms are to be advertised round-the-clock on television under proposals published today.

In an attempt to cut the teenage pregnancy rate, which is the highest in Europe, the Advertising Standards Authority wants to relax the current rules. The authority also proposes to allow pro-abortion services to advertise on television for the first time in a move condemned immediately by anti-abortion groups.

The 9pm watershed on condom advertisements is to be abolished, although they will not be broadcast around programmes aimed at children under 10.

The change is outlined in a consultation by the authority beginning today on new advertising codes for broadcast and other media. Pregnancy advice services will be able to advertise on television but must make it clear whether or not their service includes abortion referrals.

The use of condoms was condemned last week by the Pope as a health measure that “aggravates” rather than protects against the problem of HIV/Aids infection.

Anti-abortion and Catholic groups believe that condoms encourage promiscuity and so have the opposite effect of what is intended, increasing rates of unwanted pregnancies and risking an increase of sexually transmitted diseases.

At present, condoms cannot be advertised on Channel 4 before 7pm and on other channels before 9pm, in order to protect younger viewers from “inappropriate” content. Britain’s growing teenage pregnancy rate, however, has prompted the proposal for change.

Baroness Gould of Potternewton, the chairman of the Government’s Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV, wrote to the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice in 2007 to request a review of the scheduling restrictions on condom advertising, noting that Britain had the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Europe and spiralling rates of sexually transmitted infections. Her group’s annual report had showed that young people believed television was one of the most effective ways of encouraging those of the same age group to use condoms. >>> Ruth Gledhill, Religion Correspondent | Thursday, March 26, 2009

LE FIGARO: Sida : l'Église ne proscrit pas le préservatif

L'Osservatore Romano rend publique une étude, menée en Ouganda, mettant en évidence l'efficacité du préservatif dans la lutte contre la maladie.


Photo de préservatifs grâce aux Google Images.
La nouvelle peut surprendre après la polémique ouverte par Benoît XVI lors de son voyage en Afrique, mais l'Église catholique admet implicitement le préservatif pour lutter contre le sida. Son combat - totalement incompris - consiste à dire que ce moyen ne suffit pas, à lui seul, pour endiguer l'épidémie. Le quotidien officiel du Saint-Siège, l'Osservatore Romano, vient de le confirmer publiquement en admettant l'efficacité prophylactique du préservatif à condition qu'il soit associé à d'autres facteurs.

En première page de l'édition du dimanche 22 mars, un article sur «Église et sida» reconnaît que le préservatif est efficace «à 97 % contre l'infection» dans les meilleures conditions d'utilisation et «à 87 %» dans des conditions communes, comme en Afrique. Et le journal de citer l'expérience de l'Ouganda où des campagnes soutenues par le gouvernement, dites «ABC», ont été lancées contre le sida : «A» comme abstinence, «B» comme fidélité (be faithful), «C» comme préservatif (condom).

L'article précise aussitôt que l'usage du préservatif prévu par cette méthode n'est certes pas conforme «aux indications de l'Église», mais que les effets de ­cette campagne sont spectaculaires. L'Ouganda est ainsi «l'unique pays d'Afrique qui a obtenu de bons résultats» dans cette lutte contre le sida : «La fréquence d'infection dans la population est descendue de 15 % en 1991 à 5 % en 2001.»

«L'abstinence» en question est effectivement conseillée aux jeunes adolescents. L'âge moyen du premier rapport sexuel a ainsi été retardé de «15 à 19 ans». «La fidélité», recommandée aux couples, aurait permis de réduire de 60 % le vagabondage sexuel. La méthode prévoit, enfin, l'usage du préservatif. «Ces trois facteurs, insiste l'Osservatore Romano, ont une influence importante sur la réduction de l'incidence du sida.» >>> Jean-Marie Guénois | Mardi 24 Mars 2009

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Broché) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Relié) >>>

Pope Claims Condoms Could Make African Aids Crisis Worse
THE GUARDIAN: Pontiff's remarks on first visit to continent outrage health agencies trying to halt spread of HIV and Aids

Pope Benedict XVI: Remarks have angered health workers trying to fight outbreak. Photo courtesy of The Guardian
The Pope today reignited the controversy over the Catholic church's stance on condom use as he made his first trip to Africa.

The pontiff said condoms were not the answer to the continent's fight against HIV and Aids and could make the problem worse.

Benedict XVI made his comments as he flew to Cameroon for the first leg of a six-day trip that will also see him travelling to Angola.

The timing of his remarks outraged health agencies trying to halt the spread of HIV and Aids in sub-Saharan Africa, where an estimated 22 million people are infected.

The Roman Catholic church encourages sexual abstinence and fidelity to prevent the disease from spreading, but it is a policy that has divided some clergy working with Aids patients.

The pontiff, speaking to journalists on his flight, said the condition was "a tragedy that cannot be overcome by money alone, that cannot be overcome through the distribution of condoms, which even aggravates the problems". >>> Riazat Butt | Tuesday, March 17, 2009

LEXPRESS.fr: Benoît XVI crée de nouveau la polémique

En route vers le Cameroun, première étape de son voyage d'une semaine sur le continent africain, Benoît XVI a lancé une nouvelle polémique. Dans la lutte contre le sida, qui fait des ravages en Afrique, la distribution de préservatifs "accroît le problème", a indiqué le Saint Père.

C'était son premier voyage en Afrique. Il devait évoquer les thèmes de la justice, de la réconciliation et de la paix. Patatras! Dans l'avion qui l'amenait au Cameroun, Benoît XVI a lâché "la" phrase de trop. Interrogé sur la bataille contre le sida sur le continent, le Saint-Père a répondu aux journalistes: "On ne peut la résoudre avec la distribution de préservatifs. Au contraire, cela accroît le problème." L'entourage du pape ne pouvait ignorer qu'il serait interrogé sur le sujet du sida, extrêmement sensible en Afrique, où les prêtres sont régulièrement confrontés à des cas de conscience, et parfois amenés à distribuer eux-mêmes des capotes. Il savait aussi combien Jean-Paul II fut maintes fois critiqué dans les médias occidentaux pour ne pas avoir pris position plus clairement sur l'usage du préservatif -ce qui, soit-dit en passant, eût été inconcevable de la part d'un pape. Benoît XVI était donc, pour parler clairement, "attendu au tournant". Sa réponse n'en a été que plus maladroite. "Il s'est mal exprimé, c'est vrai, mais il veut simplement dire que la fidélité au sein du couple est la seule façon efficace de combattre la pandémie", glisse un prêtre d'une paroisse rurale. >>> Par Claire Chartier | Mardi 17 Mars 2009

The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback (US) Barnes & Noble >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Hardcover (US) Barnes & Noble >>>

Surprising Development: Talk of Human Rights for HIV Sufferers in Saudi!
ARAB NEWS: RIYADH, 2 January 2007 — The National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) has called on HIV carriers who received unfair treatment from their employers or from the public to come forward and register their cases with the rights body. The process is part of an initiative by the NSHR to gather information from HIV-positive persons on the sort of maltreatment they receive in Saudi Arabia due to their conditions.

Legislation to protect the rights of these people is likely to be announced by March. “We have sent some members of the (NSHR) board to meet with experts on HIV cases to gather their opinions and observations on the new law,” Mufleh Al-Kahtani, NSHR’s vice president, told Arab News.

The NSHR proposed the national law to protect HIV-positive persons because currently there are no laws in the Kingdom that define the rights of these patients according to Islamic law and international conventions. Report Unfair Treatment, NSHR Tells HIV Carriers >>> By Raid Qusti

Mark Alexander (Paperback)
Mark Alexander (Hardback)

Libyen: Das Todesurteil gegen fünf bulgarische Krankenschwestern und einen palästinensischen Arzt ist bestätigt worden!

Photo des infirmières grâce au Figaro

NZZ ONLINE: Schock im Gerichtssaal in Tripolis: Entgegen den Erwartungen der meisten Beobachter hat das Oberste Gericht Libyens das Todesurteil gegen fünf bulgarische Krankenschwestern und einen palästinensischen Arzt bestätigt. Die Eltern der angeblich von ihnen mit dem HI-Virus angesteckten Kinder hatten noch am Tag zuvor eingelenkt.

spi. Am Vortag war die Hoffnung bei den fünf in Libyen wegen eines Aids-Skandals gefangenen Krankenschwestern aus Bulgarien und dem palästinensischen Arzt noch gross gewesen. Nur gerade einen Tag vor der Entscheidung des Obersten Gerichts hatten offenbar die Familien der Opfer ein Einsehen gehabt. Sie hätten finanzielle Entschädigungen akzeptiert, teilte die Ghadhafi-Stiftung am Dienstag mit. Todesurteile in Libyen bestätigt: Schuldspruch gegen bulgarische Krankenschwestern und Arzt (mehr)

BBC:
Libya HIV death sentences upheld

Le FIGARO:
Les infirmières bulgares restent condamnées à mort

SPIEGELONLINE INTERNATIONAL:
Death Sentence Upheld for Six Foreign Medics

Mark Alexander