Social Work with People Practicing Same-Sex ... - ILGA Europe

Public opinion about homosexuality and attitude to MSM in different countries of
the world were studied in different countries by the experts from the US Institute for
Social Research in 1995-2001. It appeared that the level of tolerance of this minority
group in the Western democratic countries was significantly higher than in the Eastern
countries (53% positively inclined respondents compared to 12% in the East). In the
countries, where according to American experts the level of democracy is lower, e.g. in
Egypt and Bangladesh, 99% of the population are intolerant of MSM (in Iran — 94%,
in Chine — 92%. At the same time, in Germany there are about 19% of adversaries of
sexual minorities; in the United Kingdom — 25% and in the USA — 32% 1 .
According to Wright (2005), HIV prevention among MSM in the Eastern and Central
Europe is complicated by the fact that in the beginning of AIDS epidemic these
countries did not have any established subculture of gays and lesbians with a developed
network of partnerships and infrastructure. This subculture cannot be created only on
the basis of the need to ensure prevention activities. However, this subculture has
started to develop in the fight for the rights of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender
people in many former socialist countries, despite the pressure and sometimes even
real repressions initiated by the public authorities 2 .
In such conditions where the existence of gay-lesbian culture cells is shaky and unsteady,
the specialized community centres for MSM that meet the needs of this population in
voluntary counselling and testing for HIV, treatment of STI and psychosocial support
can play the role of information resource and material base for the development of an
active LGBT community.
On the other hand, promotion of self-identification and self-organization of MSM/WSW
not only provides them an opportunity to openly speak about their needs and jointly
stand for their civil rights (especially the right to enter into same-sex marriage, adopt
children etc.), but also facilitates to HIV service in this hard-to-reach population group.
Many sectoral specialists point at significant difficulties in the introduction of the
Western models of HIV prevention 3 and promotion of behaviour change, for example,
among MSM in Asia 4 . First of all, it is related to the fact that in Asia, where most MSM
identify themselves as heterosexuals, the gay and lesbian community is either absent, or
is in the process of development. To some extent it can be compared with the situation
in Ukraine, where the majority of MSM “discreetly“ try not to disclose their homosexual
behaviour or homosexual identity.
Thus, involvement of the LGBT community in the comprehensive HIV prevention
programmes will guarantee their success. These programmes should not only address
the health issues of the target group (behaviour change, consistent condom use and
other routine forms of HIV/STI prevention), but also to contribute to the improvement
of their psychological status (trying to develop the sense of self-esteem in them)
and sometimes to help them resolve social issues (e.g., provide legal support and
professional training). Such structural factors as legal criminalization of consensual
non-heterosexual relationships between adults, or encouragement of public intolerance
of MSM by political and religious leaders and culture figures should not be left
unaddressed by HIV servicing programmes.
Philippines: Community Centre for MSM Runs Educational Activities in Catholic
Environment
A bright example of self-organization and successful attempt to create a positive image
of MSM in the local community is the activity of the NGO Iwag Dabaw in the city of
Davao on a Philippine island Mindanao. Local MSM established this organization in
1994 to improve their social and economic status and promote safer sex among the
representatives of their community. Due to their marginalized status it is hard for many
MSM in the Philippines to get a permanent job. That is why they have to work in the shadow
economy, engage in sex business or work as barbers, pimps, etc. It is especially true for
the so-called parlorista bakla, effeminate men who are usually employed in beauty and
massage parlours. Besides, in the past 10 years around 22% of all HIV infection cases in
the Philippines were transmitted through homosexual contacts. Taking into account a
big authority of the Catholic Church, Iwag Dabaw built its information and educational
work with the population and city government in cooperation with the archbishop of
Community centre, Odessa
1 See article “Democracy and
Gender: West is West, and East is
East, based on the materials of
Washington ProFile in the Ukrainian
newspaper Den“ ( День (№37) of
27 February 2003). The publication
can be found in the online archive
of the newspaper at .
2 Wasson-Simon, A. (2007). Gay
Communities in Europe Face Up
to HIV! .
3 Western models of prevention are
based on promotion and fixation
of safe behavioural norms in the
community, which is able to support
itself.
4 TREAT Asia (2006). MSM and HIV/
AIDS Risk in Asia: What Is Fueling
the Epidemic among MSM and
How Can It Be Stopped? Bangkok,
Thailand, New York, NY: TREAT,
amfAR.
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