Dear All,
I am happy to report that the World AIDS Campaign, (the biggest multi-sectoral international campaign against HIV/AIDS and for Universal Access to prevention, care, support, treatment, and human rights of those communities infected and affected by HIV) has Endorsed the International Day against Homophobia (IDAHO), which is observed every year on May 17th. Incidentally IDAHO is the day after The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day, which is designed to honor the memory of those lost to HIV/AIDS, show support for those living with HIV/AIDS, raise awareness of HIV/AIDS, and mobilize community involvement in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The World AIDS Campaign has sought to endorse IDAHO since one of the main community affected by HIV is that of men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgenders, and granting them access to health care becomes a major hurdle in many parts of the world due to the prevailing homophobia, often actively encouraged and practiced by the various governments. This homophobia is the cause of the vulnerability of many MSM and Transgender persons to HIV infection. Marcel van Soest, the Executive Director of the World AIDS Campaign has written the letter of endorsement to the IDAHO Committee on 11th May, where he mentions "The contribution of the IDAHO Committee to LGBT rights through your work for the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia is vital to raise awareness of the threats to communities posed by homophobia. As part of the drive to press for universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support The World AIDS Campaign launches the theme for World AIDS Day 2009 and 2010 next month: Human Rights and Universal Access will be central to the campaign as will the call to end discrimination against all communities". With this endorsement the WAC comes closer to its goal of ensuring Human Rights to all communities vulnerable to HIV. It would also strengthen and create greater acceptance of IDAHO and maybe move more governments to endorse the day and work towards removing homophobia. Best regards, Aditya Bondyopadhyay
