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!