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Homophobia and HIV/AIDS
in South Africa
Erin Waldman
Works Cited
Changing the Language
Much lf the language surrounding the topic of HIV/AIDS is limited by strict definitions of identity groupings - male vs. female, heterosexual vs. homosexual, etc. In discussing the epidemic in various African countries, where sexual identities are not as stressed, many public health officials, anthropologists, and academics prefer the term "men who have sex with men" or MSM for short. According to researchers Rispel and Metcalf, the term "describes a social and behavioral construct and refers to any men who have sex with other men, irrespective of whether or not they also have sex with women" (Rispel 133).
By utilizing this new term, the debate separates from self-identification and stigma, and more towards active and past behaviors. This shift catches far more people that would otherwise be left behind by public health efforts, especially those who live in areas where LGBT identification is not yet a safe or possible reality. Unfortunately, there is no equivalent popular term for bisexual or lesbian-identifying women, as "women who have sex with women" is not as high of a public health concern as MSM.
International Comparisons
Although the situation in South Africa is not ideal by any means, LGBT people in various African countries face far worse discrimination, stigma, and oppression for their sexuality. In Uganda, Malawi, and Kenya, activists and LGBT people and organizations face censureship, arrest, and even death for speaking out.
United States Involvement
As a country that often views itself as a humanitarian donor or resource for foreign aid, the US has become financially and politically tied up in the HIV/AIDS campaign in Africa. But as thousands of non-governmental organizations and aid programs rush to African countries, the foreign involement can often exacerbate the problem - especially with something as culturally divided as LGBT issues.
Burden of Disease
In many African countries, the percentage of MSM that suffer from HIV/AIDS is often much higher than that of the general population. MSM disproportionately suffer from HIV/AIDS in many countries, although not all. Additionally, these rising percentages can often foreshadow a future rise in HIV/AIDS for the general population.
Activism and Policy
With consistent foreign involvment, the international community often forgets about the grassroots African activism that drives policy change. Although African LGBT organizations often must rely on foreign aid for financial support, they provide the direct involvement pushing for changing the stigma and attitudes of their countries.