LGBT

ABSTRACT Côte d’Ivoire is known throughout West Africa as the most tolerant country, where gay, lesbian and transgender people from all backgrounds do not have to fear the same kind of systematic violence or opprobrium that plagues them elsewhere in the region. Yet for all this openness, the country is hardly an oasis: sex workers and men who have sex with men continue to encounter often violent stigmatization, the manifestation of a culture of ignorance and suspicion, particularly within the security and defense forces.

ABSTRACT This GFO’s ‘Of Interest’ column highlights Sir Elton John and French President Emmanuel Macron’s joint appeal for a $14-billion Replenishment, Japan’s pledge to save ‘one million lives’ with its commitment to the Global Fund’s Sixth Replenishment, the launch of German NGOs’ #FillUpTheFund campaign, South Africa’s new human rights plan for TB and HIV, and Botswana’s decriminalization of homosexuality.

ABSTRACT HIV incidence is on the rise in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, with the MSM population acknowledged as the main driver of the HIV epidemic in that region. There is no reliable evidence base for prevalence figures in the LGBT community, but it is clear that increased vulnerability of the MSM and LGBT communities to HIV-infection is strongly linked with negative attitudes to these communities expressed by the state and by parliamentary officials, and with the lack or inadequacy of specific health services. The GFO talked with experts from the Eurasian Coalition of Male Health to explore what is behind the numbers and statistics.

ABSTRACT The Global Fund’s policies on the composition of CCMs have had a big impact in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The policies have resulted in increased participation of LGBT organizations on CCMs, and greater participation of LGBT representatives in the decisions of the CCMs and even of the governments in these countries, including decisions concerning prevention services, according to a new publication from the Eurasian Coalition on Male Health. ECOM also credits these policies with improving the quality of national HIV programs and with helping to combat homophobia.

ABSTRACT The Global Fund and UNAIDS have expressed concern over a new law in Nigeria imposing harsh penalties on people who engage in or support same-sex activities, and have asked the government to reconsider in order to ensure access to essential HIV services for LGBT people.

ABSTRACT Côte d’Ivoire is known throughout West Africa as the most tolerant country, where gay, lesbian and transgender people from all backgrounds do not have to fear the same kind of systematic violence or opprobrium that plagues them elsewhere in the region. Yet for all this openness, the country is hardly an oasis: sex workers and men who have sex with men continue to encounter often violent stigmatization, the manifestation of a culture of ignorance and suspicion, particularly within the security and defense forces.