Sex Workers and Sexual Minorities face discrimination in HIV+ people's network

[Guest guest]

Sex Workers and Sexual Minorities face discrimination in HIV+ people's

network

Arunodaya Network Of Positive People (ANP+) is a registered district-level

network of HIV Positive People in Bangalore Urban District, Karnataka. Its

members include HIV positive persons from the communities of ex workers and

sexual minorities, who face discrimination even in HIV positive people's

networks due to their occupation/ sexual orientation/ gender identity.

The Annual General Body meeting and the elections to elect the new board

representatives are scheduled to be held on 28th October (Thursday). But on 21st

of Oct 2010, a few members complained that their nominations were rejected on

unfair grounds i.e. for being a sex worker or a sexual minority person.

The rejected members filed their nomination under the general

category. *The election rules of the society do not prohibit any member

contestingin open category, which is also an universal principle of justice.

*The candidates who were rejected were from the reserved category (sex

workers and sexual minorities) and filed their nomination for the general

category post (Open category).

As per society's rule, the elections should be conducted democratically and the

bylaws of the society should be shared with each and every member of the

society. The rejected members have complained that *Arunodaya* *Network has

failed to provide a copy of the bylaws to other board members and ordinary

members. *

Rejected member’s quotes:

Usha, member of Arunodaya Network for the last 3 years:

For the last 3 years, I am a member of Arunodaya network. When I became a

member, one of the board members in the year 2006 gave me counselling. Based on

the counselling, the network registered me as a member under the general

category. I filed my nomination under the general category. But my nomination

was rejected as they considered me under the reserved category which is

completely wrong as per their documentation. The Arunodaya Network asked me to

put my nomination for the reserved post.

In this election, 1 post is reserved for a female sex worker and one from the

community of sexual minorities. It is completely unfair to ask me to contest

under the reserved category. Rejecting my nomination for the general category is

a violation of my right as a member. This is completely undemocratic and against

the rights of sex workers.

Vijaya Kumar, members of Arunodaya Network:-

Since last 6 months I am the member of the network. I am actively associated

Arunodaya Network. I identify myself as a Bisexual. The Arunodaya network

registered me as a member under the reserved (Sexual Minority) category.

Even though I am a reserved category member, I am interested to contest in the

election for the general category post, which is my right as a member. I wanted

to contest from general category to prove that there are sexual minorities who

are capable of winning elections, without reservation. This was my sincere

effort. I wanted to bring my other sexual minority friends to the mainstream.

But rejecting my candidature, they have discriminated me and have violated my

rights. If they cannot provide me a chance, as a District

Level Network (DLN) what support can they provide to other sexual

minorities? I want fair, democratic election process so that there is no

discrimination.

Our demands:

1.The Arunodaya Network should conduct fair and democratic elections

according to its bylaws and the law of the land.

2. There should be no discrimination for the reserved category members

contesting in elections.

3. Reserved category members should be provided equal opportunities.

For more information: Vijaya Kumar (95387 09146), Usha (80507 68692)*

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