Deyonce /Naris, a Khaibasen community project co-founder and a former radio presenter, commented, ‘HIV is a great concern and should be regarded as a top priority whether you are heterosexual or belong to LGBTI community. We do not take this lightly and treat this as a matter of importance, as this is about the wellbeing of our people. That is why no matter how small our own campaigns, we as organisations try to encourage correct and consistent condom use, faithfulness and adherence to treatment at ground and community level.’ She added, ‘LGBTI people face stigma and discrimination (for their sexual orientation) and if one gets infected, the stigma becomes even more.’
Ricardo Amunjera, Mr Gay Namibia, noted that while a new study on Men having sex with Men (MSM) by the Ministry of Health and Social Services is welcomed by sexual minorities as a means of progress towards touching on sensitive sexual health issues, ‘this study excludes a larger part of LGBTI community.’ He said that the community has always been under the microscope for the sexual preferences, but sleeping around is just as much a poor wellness reality for homosexuals as it is for heterosexuals, and any other sexual minority.
Deyonce reported, ‘For as long as I remember the homosexual community has been boxed in and deccorated with ridiculous labels … and [the victims of] horrible acts committed by their heterosexual counterparts in the name of religion and tradition.’ However, Imms Peters (not his real name), a bisexual man from Swakopmund, says, to him, gay people seem to have a higher sex drive than many heterosexuals. ‘Homosexuals must stop this type of behaviour and learn to respect their bodies. Gays must stop living life carelessly,’ he said.
Psychologist Doctor Shaun Whittaker argued that, regardless of your sexual identity, ‘Dating many partners is never a good idea because of the very real risks of HIV-Aids and other STDs. It is really not worth it to put your health in danger in this way. Namibians should be responsible in their choices and be mindful of the possible consequences. He added that more emphasis needs to be put on sticking things out in a committed relationship: ‘In any case, there are many benefits to remaining faithful in an intimate relationship. Trust, for instance, is a vital element in a companionship. To have a quality relationship, whether it is heterosexual or homosexual, there should be commitment to one person.’
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How Has HIV affected Sexual Minorities in Namibia?
