Global activists call on Starmer to do ‘duty’ and protect HIV care for LGBT+ people
Nearly 700 healthcare professionals and LGBT+ rights advocates from 40 countries have written to Sir Keir Starmer, asking him to protect the UK’s contribution to the global fight against HIV.
The government is currently deciding how much money to allocate to HIV prevention efforts around the world, amid major cuts to overseas aid.
The letter’s signatories ask the prime minister to “fill the gaps left by the US withdrawal” as Donald Trump cut the vast majority of the country’s contributions to global health when he took office for a second term. The US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar) was the world’s largest funder of HIV programs and, although partially protected, still faces major restrictions.
“The recent proposal from the US Congress to restore some funding for global HIV is welcome, but this money – if approved – will not be transferred to the many groups at higher risk from the virus thanks to the discriminatory and unscientific ban on so-called ‘DEI’. [diversity, equity and inclusion] programs,” he said in the letter.
The U.S. continues to fund preventive medications and support for pregnant and breastfeeding women, but does not support other vulnerable groups, including gay men and transgender communities.
“This would create a two-phase response to the pandemic in which only those deemed worthy by the US government would receive US-funded medications to protect themselves,” the letter said.
It was signed by 686 people representing public health and LGBT+ activist organizations from countries in the Global South. More than 300 signed their names, while the other half approved the letter anonymously due to safety concerns arising from harsh and discriminatory anti-LGBT laws in their countries.
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the world’s other largest funder of HIV care, which funds a quarter of all international programmes, is currently raising funds for the next three years.
The UK is hosting the fundraiser in South Africa on 21 November this year and has always been one of the fund’s biggest donors. However, it is still expected to reduce its contribution by £150 million; This puts the lives of an estimated 255,000 people at risk.
“When AIDS broke out in your country, some elements in the media and politics attempted to divide people infected with the virus into those who ‘deserved’ compassion and care and those who ‘did not’,” the letter said. “Activists have and still are working hard to combat this horrific narrative, which not only stigmatizes and shames people living with HIV, but also undermines efforts to reduce transmission.”
“The UK also has an extra duty to protect the rights of LGBTQ+ people globally, given your historic role in establishing anti-homosexuality laws that still exist in many countries around the world, making it difficult – often impossible – for the LGBTQ+ community to access life-saving services unless provided by international donors.”
This article was produced as part of The Independent. Rethinking Global Aid project
