clinic gives hope to vulnerable homosexuals

By Nthateng Mhlambiso (BTM Senior Reporter)

August 11, 2006: As Judge Edwin Cameron told guests at the opening of a clinic at OUT LGBT Well-being – a gay organisation on sexual and health issues based in Pretoria, South Africa, the idea of the clinic is a culmination from the fact that homosexuals are generally being ill-treated by healthcare workers, and that they’re the most vulnerable coming to Aids infection.

The judge’s perception is on par with OUT LGBT Well-being’s research conducted in 2003 that in fact there’s an ample percentage of homosexuals who had previously been discriminated against by healthcare workers based on their sexual orientation. According to the findings at least 6% were refused treatment while 12% were led to oblivion.

Judge Cameron lauded the opening of the clinic because of the polemic danger that’s lurking among homosexuals as far as sexual engagement goes. He warns; “We need to face it, that anal intercourse is the most risky in relation to HIV infections.”

Openly living with Aids, Judge Cameron further pointed out from a research done by Professor Malegapuru Makgoba (Vice Chancellor of University of Kwa-Zulu Natal and medical scientist) that there’s a deplorable lack of scientific report on gay sexual engagement on the entire continent.

He added that HIV testing is made too difficult in the country at present as it has been singled out and stigmatised. “We should re-medicalise HIV testing. It should be included in all other tests done to a person unless if a person does not want to do it”, he advised.

According to Fikile Vilakazi, who’s an Advocacy Officer at OUT LGBT Well-being, the clinic primarily targets at same-sex individuals but she maintains that the general public will be allowed to come for Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT).

“The clinic will commence as a voluntary counseling and testing centre. The aim is to eventually provide holistic health care services that include Pap smear, STI treatment and complementary therapy”, Vilakazi explained.

She added that homosexuals are susceptible to homophobic violence and that the general healthcare services do not adequately address their needs.

Coincided with the national women’s day – which is 9 August each year, the opening of the clinic was well attended by both men and women

In celebrating the women’s day Vilakazi said; “In opening this clinic, we want to salute all those women both those with us and those who have gone before us, for their bravery and commitment to the struggle for the rights of sexual minorities despite all the atrocities they had to bear.”

Note: The clinic will start functioning on 12 August this year on Saturdays between 9:00am and 13:00pm.