Law on homosexuality hinders Aids outreach to the young, says activist

To save young lives and remove the biggest stumbling blocks in Singapore's fight against HIV/Aids — stigma and discrimination — the law that criminalises homosexuality must be repealed, said president of Action for Aids Roy Chan.

At the Singapore Aids Conference on Saturday, he called for a change to Article 377A of the Penal Code, a law that makes acts of "gross indecency" between men illegal.

"This legal barrier has made it impossible to target MSM (men having sex with men), and made us unable to address it within schools … It is the main reason for stigma and pushes (the problem) into the closet. It is not surprising that more young gay men are getting infected," said Dr Chan.

At least three teenagers tested positive for HIV between 2003 and 2005 are gay, and there are concerns that more could be at risk.

"If young people are getting infected, it's because they haven't been included in education programmes that are relevant to them," said Dr Chan.

While he lauded various efforts to target schools and youth with the Aids message, he noted that none of these deal with homosexual youth.

"It is a criminal offence so you can't talk about it."

He added: "So, you have the young boys who are coming of age and some are having unprotected sex. Who's going to teach them or access them?"

Like any outreach programme, the one for gay youth has to be in touch with their lives and allow for discussion.

Simply saying, "it's illegal, don't do it, full stop" does not solve the problem but rather worsens it, Dr Chan added.

In response, Senior Minister Dr Balaji Sadasivan, who heads the new inter-agency committee to fight the spread of HIV/Aids, said that "these are issues that the committee must confront to control the epidemic".

When proposed amendments to the Penal Code were announced last month, the Ministry of Home Affairs explained that Article 377A would remain unchanged because "Singapore remains, by and large, a conservative society" and "many do not tolerate homosexuality".

Also at Saturday's conference, Dr Balaji reported that the total number of new HIV/Aids cases here this year could hit a record high of 340.

He announced that the Health Ministry would study having routine voluntary HIV screening at clinics and hospitals, to help with early diagnosis and more effective control of Aids.

- TODAY