Scroll To Top
Health

LGBTQ People Not to Blame for Pandemic, Global Groups Declare

UN AIDS

UNAIDS and MPact Global Action expressed concern that LGBTQ people have been stigmatized and subjected to violence during this time. 

trudestress

Global health organizations are calling out violence against LGBTQ people motivated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS and MPact Global Action for Gay Men's Health and Rights expressed concern that LGBTQ and intersex people "are being singled out, blamed, abused, incarcerated and stigmatized as vectors of disease," as they put it in a Monday press release.

They mentioned reports that a gay, HIV-positive man in Belize recently died after being beaten by police. He had been arrested for breaking a curfew imposed to lessen the spread of the virus, the groups said.

They also noted the arrest of 20 people gathered at an LGBTQ safe house in Uganda, with police claiming they were violating social distancing orders, but activists contend the arrests were part of ongoing anti-LGBTQ oppression there. And in the Philippines, three people from the community were among a group arrested for violating curfew, and a police captain publicly humiliated them by asking them to dance and kiss each other. After video of the incident circulated widely, he was forced to apologize.

"We are receiving reports that government and religious leaders in some countries are making false claims and releasing misinformation about COVID-19 that has incited violence and discrimination against LGBTI people," George Ayala, executive director of MPact, said in the release. "Organizations and homes are being raided, LGBTI people are being beaten, and there has been an increase in arrests and threatened deportation of LGBTI asylum seekers."

"There is also growing concern over privacy and confidentiality in the way governments are using Internet-based technologies and smartphones to monitor people's movements during lockdowns or curfews," he added. "Gay men and gender-nonconforming people are often the first targets and among the most impacted by increased policing and surveillance efforts."

"HIV has taught us that violence, bullying and discrimination only serve to further marginalize the people most in need," said Winnie Byanyima, executive director of UNAIDS. "All people, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, are entitled to the right to health, safety and security, without exception. Respect and dignity are needed now more than ever before."

The organizations urged countries to:

Denounce misinformation that scapegoats, slanders, or otherwise blames LGBTI people for the spread of COVID-19

Stop raids on LGBTI-led organizations, shelters and spaces and desist from arresting people based on their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression

Ensure that all measures to protect public health are proportionate and evidence-informed, and respect human rights

Prevent the use of state surveillance on LGBTI people's personal communication technologies

Invest in the COVID-19 response, while safeguarding funds and HIV/sexual health programs that are inclusive and sensitive to the needs of LGBTI people

Safeguard continued access to lifesaving medical support, including harm reduction, condoms and lubricant, pre-exposure prophylaxis, antiretroviral therapy, hormone replacement therapies, and mental health services for LGBTI people

Provide flexible service delivery options, from multimonth dispensing of medications to community delivery and virtual consultation and support options

Consider designating community-led service organizations as essential service providers so that they can provide flexible, safe delivery of key services

Include LGBTI people in national social protection schemes, including income support

Increase access to appropriate emergency and safe housing for homeless and recently evicted LGBTI people

Engage LGBTI people in public health planning and messaging around COVID-19

Implement safety monitoring and hacking mitigation during virtual meetings

"Now more than ever, we must stand together to protect and promote the health and human rights of LGBTI people worldwide," the release concludes.

trudestress
Advocate Channel - The Pride StoreOut / Advocate Magazine - Fellow Travelers & Jamie Lee Curtis

From our Sponsors

Most Popular

Latest Stories

Trudy Ring

Trudy Ring is The Advocate’s senior politics editor and copy chief. She has been a reporter and editor for daily newspapers and LGBTQ+ weeklies/monthlies, trade magazines, and reference books. She is a political junkie who thinks even the wonkiest details are fascinating, and she always loves to see political candidates who are groundbreaking in some way. She enjoys writing about other topics as well, including religion (she’s interested in what people believe and why), literature, theater, and film. Trudy is a proud “old movie weirdo” and loves the Hollywood films of the 1930s and ’40s above all others. Other interests include classic rock music (Bruce Springsteen rules!) and history. Oh, and she was a Jeopardy! contestant back in 1998 and won two games. Not up there with Amy Schneider, but Trudy still takes pride in this achievement.
Trudy Ring is The Advocate’s senior politics editor and copy chief. She has been a reporter and editor for daily newspapers and LGBTQ+ weeklies/monthlies, trade magazines, and reference books. She is a political junkie who thinks even the wonkiest details are fascinating, and she always loves to see political candidates who are groundbreaking in some way. She enjoys writing about other topics as well, including religion (she’s interested in what people believe and why), literature, theater, and film. Trudy is a proud “old movie weirdo” and loves the Hollywood films of the 1930s and ’40s above all others. Other interests include classic rock music (Bruce Springsteen rules!) and history. Oh, and she was a Jeopardy! contestant back in 1998 and won two games. Not up there with Amy Schneider, but Trudy still takes pride in this achievement.