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ACT-UP Philadelphia condemns recent homophobic remarks by religious leaders.

Last week Anglican Archbishop Peter Akinola of Nigeria wrote in a position paper submitted to parliament, "Same sex marriage...is a perversion, a deviation and an aberration that is capable of engendering moral and social holocaust." He went on to call for a law that not only makes same-sex marriage illegal in Nigeria, but also would make even attending a same-sex marriage punishable by up to three years in jail.
 
Also occuring last week, on his first papal visit to Africa, Pope Benedict XVI spoke against providing condoms and promoting condom use as part of HIV-prevention strategies in Africa saying, "[HIV/AIDS] cannot be overcome through the distribution of condoms, which can even increase the problem."

ACT-UP Philadelphia condemns both of these statements for spreading stigma that leads to silence, which leads to higher infection rates and ultimately to more people dying of AIDS. It has been proven again and again in country studies around the world that abstinence-only policies do not work. Countries that have included distribution of condoms with comprehensive sex education campaigns that encourage safe sex practices have had significant reductions in HIV infection rates. In Thailand, for example, lowered rates of condom use have been associated with increased rates of HIV infection.

In every country, men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV. Numerous studies have shown that stigma and silence around sexuality correlate highly with sexual risk-taking among men, which can lead to unprotected sex with both men and women. Reducing stigma by eliminating homophobia and providing access to comprehensive sex education and tools are critical to preventing HIV transmission among MSM and also among women having sex with MSM.

ACT-UP Philadelphia also wants to highlight that it is not only in Africa that religious and political leaders condemn condom use and stigmatize homosexuality. It is happening right here in our city. For example, young people in Philadelphia are sexually active, but the school district refuses to provide students access to free condoms in all public high schools. Also, MSM continue to have rising infection rates in Philadelphia, where it is estimated that as many as 46% of men of color who have sex with men are HIV-positive.

Rising world-wide infection rates among young people and men who have sex with men are reversible, and lifting stigma around homosexuality and condom use are vital parts of life-saving programs. Waheedah Shabazz-El, member of ACT-UP Philadelphia who recently addressed the United Nations as part of a panel on religious HIV/AIDS activism, says, "People in positions of power have a moral responsibility in the face of a public health crisis such as HIV, to offer honest, accurate and life-saving information that directly addresses the epidemic."

ACT UP Philadelphia is an activist organization led by and for people living with AIDS. Since 1988, ACT UP has been a preeminent grassroots activist group, calling for funding for effective prevention, treatment, and care services for people living with and at risk for HIV.