Gay Sex A “Disease Spreading Around The World” – India Health Minister
Gay sex is “unnatural” and a “disease…spreading around the world,” Ghulam Nabi Azad, the Minister of Health in India said at a large HIV/AIDS conference Monday. The ban on homosexuality and homosexual sex was dropped in India in 2009, and there are an estimated 100 million gay, bisexual and transgender Indians.
“Unfortunately, this disease, where a man has sex with a man, which is absolutely unnatural and shouldn’t happen but it is happening, is spreading around the world and has also come to India,†said Mr. Azad, speaking in Hindi, the Wall Street Journal reports. “Even in our country the numbers of men having sex with men is significant.â€
The Journal adds, “AIDS activists across the world were startled when former South African President Thabo Mbeki decided to publicly rethink the link between the AIDS disease and the HIV virus—reiterating his doubts at a global conference in 2000 on the disease, no less.”
“Hundreds of people walked out of that conference, and later, a study said that the uncertainty created around what causes the disease led to policies that may have increased the AIDS death toll substantially in South Africa.”
AIDS activists are outraged and striking back.
“India’s rich tradition of inclusivity and social justice must include MSM and transgenders,” said Michel Sidibé, executive director, UNAIDS, according to DNA.
“Sidibé spoke out strongly against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
“India’s successful reponse to AIDS is possible due to strong participation of communities of MSM, sex workers, people who inject drugs and transgenders, backed by a strong and progressive National AIDS policy,” Sidibe said.
“Mohnish Malhotra, who is involved in the fight for gay rights, said, ‘It is shocking that such a comment was made by the country’s health minister.’
The Hindu adds, “Protests were also held on the steps of the Town Hall in Bangalore against Mr. Azad’s remarks with several activists carrying the multi-colour rainbow flag which symbolises gay culture. Some activists said Mr. Azad’s assessment was ‘unscientific and irrational’ and stressed the need for a change in the community mindset.”
https://youtube.com/watch?v=zj5YVwexF_g%3Fversion%3D3%26hl%3Den_US
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