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Tuesday 21 June 2016

IMPLICATION OF STIGMA & DISCRIMINATION



The fear of being known as HIV positive has made a lot of people decline knowing their status and those confirmed positive prefer to remain in hiding rather than receiving proper care and therapy even when it’s free.

People living with HIV/AIDS battle with stigma and discrimination, how much more when it’s combined with being a sexual minority; it becomes double stigma.
 

As the Global HIV target is counting down to zero, the HIV prevalence among sexual minorities is still facing increase as the environment becomes more unfriendly. In recent findings, it is discovered that Sexual minorities have the highest HIV prevalence which is largely caused by the risky practice most times associated to fear of stigma & discrimination. The potential of risky sexual behavior among sexual minorities is high due to stigma and discrimination attached to same sex affairs. In surveys conducted in Nigeria such as: Integrated Biological and Behavioral Surveillance Survey (IBBSS), we have discovered that while other target groups and general population are experiencing decrease in HIV prevalence, sexual minorities are experiencing increase. Statistics shows that in 2007 - 13.5% prevalence rate was recorded among men who have sex with men in Nigeria and in 2010 we experienced an increase of 17.2%. These have shown that less sexual minorities access health or have access to health. As the environment becomes more unfriendly, the worse is expected. The case of STI cannot be overemphasized as it is more common than HIV/AIDS and more deadly and easily spread.




In Nigeria, sexual minorities are not only facing stigma and discrimination but also suffering from government laws criminalizing the act of choosing ones sexual orientation or gender identity not leaving out societal and religious aspect seeing choice of identity as evil and being perverse. While Sharia law says the act is punishable by death, the federal law says its 14 years imprisonment; victims are subject to mob attack, family rejection, work dismissal and all sort of condemnation. Sexual minorities living with HIV/AIDS now suffer depression as they have to face double stigma and discrimination.

Sexual minorities don’t just practice same sex affairs but some are also in relationships and marriages with the opposite sex which makes the HIV prevalence a larger problem as it affects the general population. if a bisexual living with HIV is married in some cases with more than one wife especially in the Northern part of Nigeria or possibly with multiple partners and he is faced with stigma and discrimination including fear of being criminalized, he will not only spread the virus within the community, but also among his sex partners and/or family because the unfriendly environment would not make him check to know his status neither would he want anyone to know his status as he pretends about his sexuality as well. So if we look at it critically, stigma and discrimination causes huge problem and negative impact to the society at large. The criminalizing and unfriendly environment is causing more harm with no good. Everyone is affected… Everyone is a victim.



Aside stigma and discrimination being one of the major factors of High HIV prevalence rate, what about our rights as human being, why criminalize or crucify someone who has done you no harm.



I will give you a true life story;

“A Nigerian Bisexual young man discovered he was HIV positive, he didn’t know how to inform his family/friends about his status for fear of the unknown. Along the line he was arrested as a suspected homosexual after a friend that was caught and tortured exposed him. Luckily he was bailed and asked to return home after torture in the police cell. Unfortunately for him before he got back home, his parents and siblings already heard what happened. He was sent out of the house as he had no choice than to run to a friend to give him shelter for some time. He later lost his job after confiding in a colleague that he was HIV positive. Due to the depression caused by the stigma and discrimination he was facing on both side (home and work place) he made up his mind to commit suicide. The friend that sheltered him working with a Health/Advocacy organization counseled and advised him to work with them as a volunteer. An international organization sent out an application to support LGBT persons living with HIV/AIDS and that are currently facing difficult situation. He applied and was luckily selected. The last time I heard of him, he is studying in one of the best university in the world, currently working with an international organization helping others at risk and in depression. Living in a comfortable apartment and now breadwinner of the same family that rejected him”.

A lot of lessons learnt from this story; I will leave you to digest and dissect it yourself.



It's awful when people send hate messages; it’s funny that people celebrate the prosecution and crucification of others. It is so pathetic that people celebrate Hate/Terrorist attack saying it is God’s judgment. I’m glad to disappoint them that God’s judgment is not hateful/wicked.



What would you say about a Hermaphrodite with both private parts “dual gender identity”; (food for thought).



Let our heart be filled with Adoration for our creator and Love & Respect for Humanity & Environment…Dorothy Aken’Ova



Stigma and Discrimination causes serious negative impact on the victim and society at large. It affects the effort of the Global target to bring HIV to zero. We need to embrace Sexual Health & Rights.



Stop the Stigma and Discrimination! Reverse the Hate laws and habit! Promote Human Rights and Respect for Diversity & Equality! Let’s Love and Be Loved!

Sunday 12 June 2016

HATE or TERRORISM



KAYODE GOMES speaks on the ALARMING KILLING/PERSECUTION of MINORITIES with an EXCLUSIVE STATEMENT by PRESIDENT OBAMA on the tragic shooting that took place in Orlando, Florida.USA.



It is no longer news that about 50 innocent people were killed with 53 wounded in Orlando, Florida, USA on June 12th , 2016 which is the worst mass shooting in U.S history. An attack carried out by a homophobic Islamic extremist. The incident took place at the first premiered gay club in Florida. The terrorist is said to have Anti-gay attitude (homophobic) which is very common around the world. Being homophobic develops into hatred which gradually makes the individuals become judgmental, support and commit murder.

Why hate? Most times we use religion to cover up our ignorance; Personally, I’m yet to find out where in the Holy Books (Bible, Quran and Others) mentioned that people should be judged or killed based on their Sexual orientation or Gender identity. And which religion supports being judgmental or being a murderer? We obviously need to start having a re-think on how we handle issues regarding sexual orientation and gender identity; maybe we should study more, have open minds, and accept people the way they are and basically mind our business and focus on our own life. Ask yourself if you are in right standing with God before you judge others. LGBT persons are not aliens, they are human being, they are not threat to anyone, neither are they threat to any nation nor evil to any religion. Like I always say, they are well represented in every family. So next time when throwing stones or when you feel hatred for someone because of his sexual orientation or gender identity; check yourself, you might just hit or hate your own.

The incident in Orlando is recorded the worse in the history of U.S but similar to the everyday situation innocent victims face in Africa at large. Some groups of people just rise up in the name of religion killing innocent souls for no reasonable reason. They kill and persecute people because of their religious believes, homophobic nature, hypocrisy and ignorance. Some use derogatory words, stigmatize and discriminate against others because they think “they are perfect”.

It is only natural for people to want to live their lives in a certain way or identify as whatever they like or comfortable with. Let’s stop supporting or promoting persecution and killing of innocent souls. Stop the stigma and discrimination. Hate is against Human Rights and No religion supports Hate or Terrorism.



*Edited*** On 12th June 2016, President Obama delivered a statement on the tragic shooting that took place overnight in Orlando, Florida.



"Today, as Americans, we grieve the brutal murder -- a horrific massacre -- of dozens of innocent people. We pray for their families, who are grasping for answers with broken hearts. We stand with the people of Orlando, who have endured a terrible attack on their city. Although it is still early in the investigation, we know enough to say that this was an act of terror and act of hate. And as Americans, we are united in our grief, our outrage and our resolve to defend our people.

"This is an especially heartbreaking day for all our friends -- our fellow Americans -- who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. The shooter targeted a nightclub where people came together to be with friends, to dance and sing-to live. The place where they were attacked is more than a nightclub -- it's a place of solidarity and empowerment where people have long come together to raise awareness, speak their mind and advocate for their civil rights. So this is a sobering reminder that attacks on any American -- regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation -- is an attack on all of us and on the fundamental values of equality and dignity that define us as a country. And no act of hate or terror will ever change who we are or the values that make us Americans.

"Today marks the most deadly shooting in American history. The shooter was apparently armed with a handgun and a powerful assault rifle. This massacre is therefore a further reminder of how easy it is for someone to get their hands on a weapon that lets them shoot people in a school, or a house of worship, or a movie theater, or in a nightclub. We have to decide if that's the kind of country we want to be. And to actively do nothing -- that's a decision, too.

"In the coming hours and days, we'll learn about the victims of this tragedy. Their names. Their faces. The joy they brought to families and friends. The difference they made in this world. Say a prayer for them and their families -- that God give them the strength to bear the unbearable. That He give all of us the strength to be there for them, and the courage to change. We need to demonstrate that we are defined more - as a country -- by the way they lived their lives, than by the hate of the man who took them from us.

"As we go forward together, we'll draw inspiration from heroic and selfless acts -- friends who helped friends, took care of each other and saved lives. In the face of hate and violence, we will love another. We will not give in to fear or turn on each other. Instead, we will stand together, united, as Americans, to protect our people, defend our nation and take action against those who threaten us.

"May God bless the Americans we lost this Morning. May He comfort their Families. And may God continue to watch over this country we love."