MSM and TG mapping in India

[Posted by Aditya Bondyopadhyay, ap-rainbow, 22 November 2008.]

Dear colleagues,

With support from Hivos and UNAIDS respectively APCOM has developed two mapping reports for MSM and Transgender organizations is South Asia.

These mapping reports were produced as part of a larger strategy for mapping MSM and TG organisations in the Asia and Pacific region, and provision of networking support for such organizations in areas where there has been limited development. This process is being supported by Hivos.

You can access these two reports in the APCOM website via the following URLs:

• APCOM Report - MSM Mapping South Asia
• APCOM Report - TG Mapping South Asia

Best regards,

Aditya Bondyopadhyay
Secretariat Coordinator
APCOM

[Reports can be also be downloaded HERE and HERE.]

Announcement: APCOM membership

[Posted by Aditya Bondyopadhyay, ap-rainbow, 22 November 2008.]

Membership Drive of APCOM

The Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health (APCOM) is a multi sectoral international coalition representing the government sector, the donors, the UN, technical experts, and community organizations and networks working for and on the issues of MSM/Transgender and HIV. The coalition was officially launched in July 2007 at the 8th ICAAP in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

APCOM advocates and promotes:

1. Increased investments on MSM/Transgender HIV programming in the Asia Pacific region.
2. Scaled up HIV and sexual health services for MSM/Transgender in the Asia Pacific region.
3. Improved knowledge to better inform programming and service delivery on MSM/Transgender issues in the region
4. Address stigma, discrimination, and social justice concerns of MSM and transgender is the Asia Pacific region.
5. Promote good practices in MSM/Transgender HIV programming as defined in the "Risks and Responsibilities Consultation 2006" held in New Delhi, India.

The coalition has divided the Asia Pacific region into seven sub-regions (China, Developed Asia, India, Greater Mekong sub-region, Pacific, South Asia excluding Inida, South East Asia excluding GMS).

Representatives of these sub regions are elected to be on the board of APCOM by member organizations in the particular sub-region.

For more information about APCOM, its structure, activities and achievements please visit the APCOM website at www.msmasia.org.

We urge all organizations and networks working on MSM/Transgender HIV issues in the countries of Asia and the Pacific to become members of APCOM, so that they can participate in the upcoming elections of APCOM board, so that their voice can be heard through their sub regional representatives.

Registration can be done online and this is the preferred method. Please visit the following URL to do this:

http://www.msmasia.org/onlineapply.html

In case you are unable to access the registration online please write me for sending you a hard copy of the manual form, which you can then fill up and return to me for processing your registration.

We encourage all appropriate organizations to come together to fight for the health and human rights of MSM and transgender persons, and help us do the same by becoming our member and strengthening our hands.

HIV and the RH bill debate in the Philippines

[Posted by Frits van Griensven, msm-asia, 22 November 2008.]

Rise in New HIV Cases in Philippines Stirs Debate on Reproductive Health Bill
[Nov 21, 2008]

In the face of increasing HIV cases in the Philippines, lawmakers are debating a reproductive health bill that could have a significant impact on reversing the upward trend in new cases through HIV prevention, care and support services, IRIN/PlusNews reports (IRIN/PlusNews, 11/19). The bill would increase HIV services in the country, as well as require government hospitals to include contraceptives in the supplies they purchase and make reproductive health education mandatory in schools (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 11/14).

According to a recent report from the Department of Health's National Epidemiology Center, 57 new HIV cases were recorded in September -- a 128% increase in the number of reported cases compared with the same period last year. Gerard Belimac, program manager of the National AIDS and STI Prevention and Control Program, said, "While the Philippines is still considered a low-incidence country, the epidemic level could come in three years," adding, "More and more people are resorting to risky behavior." Belimac said that although HIV has not reached epidemic levels in the country, UNAIDS has estimated that about 8,300 people are HIV-positive. He added that new HIV cases are primarily found in high-risk groups such as commercial sex workers and men who have sex with men. Ferchito Avelino, national coordinator of the Philippine National AIDS Council, said that although Filipinos may be aware of the risk of HIV/AIDS, such knowledge is not translating into behavior change. In addition, he said that misconceptions about the virus have created a false sense of security, adding that although the country has a relatively low number of HIV cases compared with other nations, "there is no room for complacency." Avelino also called for an aggressive HIV prevention campaign, noting that the median age bracket in which Filipinos first engage in sexual activity is becoming younger.

According to Belimac, it is crucial that the government approves the bill because HIV programs are achieving 30% coverage overall and only sex workers are fully covered by the programs. Belimac said, "In order to reverse the trend, we must have 80% coverage," adding that a "lack of political will" is the main obstacle to preventing HIV transmission. For example, he said most local governments do not have budgets for HIV intervention programs, which indicates lack of commitment. "HIV prevention takes a back seat and, with their limited funds for health services, the local government units are not entirely to blame; HIV prevention competes with other health services," Belimac said (IRIN/PlusNews, 11/19).

Catholic Bishops Introduce Version of Bill

In related news, Catholic bishops in the country are drafting their own version of the reproductive health bill because of the fact that it promotes the use of contraceptives and condoms, Reuters reports. The Rev. Melvin Castro of the Episcopal Commission on Family and Life said that the bishops have been working with lawmakers to draft an alternative to the measure, given that they consider it unconstitutional and an infringement on the religious beliefs of Filipinos. About 85% of the nearly 90 million people in the Philippines are Catholic. Castro said, "We would not allow a legislation that would allocate money from a majority of the taxpayers who are Catholics to be allocated to a program which is against their beliefs." According to Reuters, some bishops have threatened to refuse Holy Communion and other sacraments to politicians who support the bill (Reuters, 11/20).

APCOM writes UN Secretary General

[Posted by Aditya Bondyopadhyay, ap-rainbow, 20 November 2008.]

To the Honourable Ban Ki-Moon
Secretary-General
United Nations,
New York, New York
United States of America

8th November 2008

Dear Excellency,

The imminent departure of Dr. Peter Piot from UNAIDS marks the end of an era, and the beginning of a new chapter for a key global organization in the arena of HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment, awareness and advocacy. It also raises many questions as to the future direction of UNAIDS under Dr. Piot's successor who is about to be chosen from a field of three candidates.

In recent years, under Dr. Piot's leadership, UNAIDS has taken an ever stronger stand on the issues, needs and concerns regarding men who have sex with men (MSM), underlining the urgent need to address the substantive risks and vulnerabilities experienced by them. This, against the backdrop of abysmally and unacceptable low coverage of HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services that would address those needs, along with the poor investment record in such services.

In a March 2008 report issued by the Independent Commission on AIDS in Asia (Redefining AIDS in Asia: Crafting an Effective Response), and which was presented to you at the time, the authors pointed out the danger of the coming decade of not investing effectively and appropriately, where, as a consequence, some 50% of new HIV infections would be among MSM in the region. The Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health (APCOM) regards this as a truly frightening scenario, one that must be tackled on a war footing via a joint effort by governments, United Nations agencies and organizations, non-governmental organizations, MSM community organizations and activists. This is the wide-ranging and vibrant coalition that APCOM represents across the Asia Pacific.

Dr Peter Piot has been a staunch ally of the work being done by the affected communities, not only in our region, but globally, and has worked hard to raise these issues of concern, addressing the social exclusion of MSM from social justice, equity and health services. He has done this not only within the UNAIDS Secretariat itself, but also among the co-sponsors, with governments, donors, and civil society.

With Dr Piot leaving UNAIDS, and the subsequent challenges that will be posed by the transition period for the new Executive Director, APCOM would like to be assured that the issues, needs and concerns, of what can be considered one of the most vulnerable populations to HIV and AIDS will not be forgotten, but will continue to be central not only of UNAIDS, but of the new Executive Director. In fact, we believe that this should be one of the key criteria for the final selection of the Executive Director.

Each of the final candidates for this very important UN position must be asked what has been his or her standpoint on men who have sex with men and hiv; what each has done to highlight this issue of great concern, and how each of the prospective Executive Directors intends to carry this forward within UNAIDS.

Yours sincerely

Shivananda Khan, OBE
Interim Chairperson
APCOM

Transgender Day of Remembrance

[Sent to personal inbox, Mabel Bianco, 21 November 2008.]

The Transgender Day of Remembrance was set aside to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The event is held in November 20 worlwide to honor Rita Hester, whose murder on November 28th, 1998 kicked off the "Remembering Our Dead". Rita Hester's murder - like most anti-transgender murder cases - has yet to be solved.

Although not every person represented during the Day of Remembrance self-identified as transgendered - that is, as a transsexual, crossdresser, or otherwise gender-variant - each was a victim of violence based on bias against transgendered people.

We live in times more sensitive than ever to hatred based violence. Yet even now, the deaths of those based on anti-transgender hatred or prejudice are largely ignored. Over the last decade, more than one person per month has died due to transgender-based hate or prejudice, regardless of any other factors in their lives. This trend shows no sign of abating.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance serves several purposes. It raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgendered people, an action that current media doesn't perform. Day of Remembrance publicly mourns and honors the lives of our brothers and sisters who might otherwise be forgotten. Through the vigil, we express love and respect for our people in the face of national indifference and hatred. Day of Remembrance reminds non-transgendered people that we are their sons, daughters, parents, friends and lovers. Day of Remembrance gives our allies a chance to step forward with us and stand in vigil, memorializing those of us who have died by anti-transgender violence.

Tomorrow we will have an event at our Transgender shelter home "PROTHOMA" in Kolkata, where we observe the evning with candel light vigil and issuing our new poster for this year on VAW.

Agniva Lahiri
Executive Director
People Like Us (PLUS) Kolkata

[Note: Apologies for posting this late. I felt I still needed to post this very significant announcement.]