Judgment good for HIV-affected in Goa: NGOs

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Judgment good for HIV-affected in Goa : NGOs

The Times of India , Goa . Friday, July 03 2009,

07.03 hrs IST, TNN

 

PANAJI: Gay activists and NGOs working with HIV-infected persons have hailed

Thursday's Delhi high court verdict on homosexuality as progressive.

 

" Finally, the rights of homosexuals have been recognized by the high court. All

these years we have been fighting for this to happen. Now homosexuals will have

more freedom and police harassment will be reduced. They can live freely, with

equal rights and if they want, then they can be open about their relationships.

But they shouldn't violate the rules of the society, " said Mahesh Govekar from

Zindagi-Goa.

Govekar said that this will play a major role in decreasing the risk of HIV

amongst homosexuals. " HIV risk will be reduced because there will be increased

faithful partners as many will feel their is no need to hide their relations, "

added Mahesh.

" It is a good opportunity for all gays to come out in the open. We will

celebrate the occasion. It will reduce the increasing rate of HIV and most of

them will take care of themselves and follow safer practices, " said Deepak Parab

of the Humsaath Trust Goa.

According to activists working with HIV-infected people, there are around 800

homosexuals in Goa of whom 150 are married men. Most of the men are in the age

group of 18 to 25. Male homosexuals have a greater risk of contacting HIV/AIDS.

In a historic judgment, the Delhi High Court on Thursday decriminalized

homosexuality by reading down section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.

The Section 377 of the IPC as far as it criminalizes gay sex among consenting

adults is a violation of fundamental rights, said the high court. However,

Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code which criminalizes homosexuality will

continue for non-consensual and non-vaginal sex.

" So far homosexuality was not accepted and many male homosexuals feared being

stigmatized and isolated by society. It is good news for HIV positive people. A

new door has opened for those who had gone underground with their sexual

preferences for fear of stigma. Now the NGOs will have easy access to them, "

said Jaffer Inamdar of Positive Lives Foundation (PLF-GOA).

 

With best regards

 

Jaffer Inamdar

President of Positive Lives Foundation (PLF-INDIA)

Asia Pacific Representative - Board Member of International Network of Religious

Leaders Living with or Personally Affected by HIV/AIDS (INERELA+).

Positive Lives Foundation (PLF-INDIA)

Flat No: G-4, Ground Floor, Victor Apartments, 

Behind Senior Translines, Vasco-Margao NH-17,

Cuzira, St. Cruz, Ilhas, Tiswadi,

Panaji, Goa - 403005, India

Off. Tel: +91 - 832 – 2446103

Mobile: +91-9765328986 / 9371186773

Skype id: jinamdar

Email: plf@... / plfgoa@...