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NewsDay

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Lesbians, gays, sex workers demand equal access to HIV programmes

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A HUMAN rights group fighting for sexual rights of vulnerable and marginalised groups has called for inclusion of lesbians, gays and sex workers in HIV response programmes in order to curb the rate of infection.

A HUMAN rights group fighting for sexual rights of vulnerable and marginalised groups has called for inclusion of lesbians, gays and sex workers in HIV response programmes in order to curb the rate of infection.

BY NQOBANI NDLOVU

Sexual Rights Centre (SRC) director, Humphrey Ndondo noted that there was rampant discrimination against sex workers, lesbians, gays, bisexual transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community in HIV response programmes.

“What we are saying is that if we do not stop looking at sex workers and LGBTI as filthy and immoral human beings, we will continue missing the point in terms of controlling or abetting the HIV response programmes,” he said.

“There is no question those LGBTI persons and sex workers are marginalised within our communities, they are living in the closet, afraid to come out in the open because of the negative attitudes, and the level of stigma in our communities.

“We will not win this war (against HIV) if others have no access to basic human rights pertaining to accessing basic HIV health care services because of the stigma associated with sex work and LGBT persons.”

Ndondo was speaking to Southern Eye during the SRC’s World Aids Day 2016 commemorations held in the city. The commemorations were held under the theme It is in our hands to end HIV and TB.

“We are saying that we need health care services to be sensitive to the specific needs of our communities (sex workers and LGBT),” he said.

“We are building a critical conscious awareness base to challenge stigma and discrimination, at the very same time we are working with

government structures, sensitising health care workers, albeit in small numbers because it is difficult to scale up the activities because of the restrictive environment in relation to our laws.” he said.

Recently, Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa claimed government had rejected proposals by some European countries to allow same sex marriages in exchange for budgetary support, with President Robert Mugabe not hesitating to show his disdain against homosexuality.

“We are challenging our duty bearers to keep to the oath of providing services without discrimination on any basis, colour, race, creed, sexual identity, etc. We are willing to engage and educate on the rights of LGBT and sex workers,” Ndondo said.