Comments on: Soweto Pride bans HIV testing for not being a “feminist principle”

By: Bruce J. Little

Bruce J. Little — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 08:19:10 +0000

I think it’s very shortsighted to ban the testing. People deserve the right to choose. You may not want to be tested for HIV at a Pride event but every year hundreds of people do. These individuals are then given access to information and treatment that can dramatically improve their lives. If even one person’s life has been changed for the better a “feminist standpoint” cannot be justified. Around the world effort is being made to remove the stigma surrounding testing and HIV and efforts are constantly being made to make testing easier and more accessible. I can find no evidence that anyone is moving away from making testing facilities available at LGBTI events around the world. Where can I access that kind of information? It all boils down to convenience and accessibility. The reality is that HIV is still a massive concern in South Africa, and in Soweto particularly. Whatever your opinion on the “appropriateness” of testing at this event may be, making the decision for hundreds of people who would feel differently is not democratic nor fair. It would cost Soweto Pride nothing to allow HCT and it would gain PR and further reason for individuals to want to attend the event. The move to ban testing seems petty and unnecessary and takes away more options for people to decide for themselves when and where they want to know their status.

By: Em

Em — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 18:12:08 +0000

Around the world the issue of HIV testing in social spaces has been under debate for some years now. In many places it just doesn’t happen anymore for many of the reasons given here. You can agree or disagree with the stance taken by FEW but it’s not a very outrageous or unusual decision to make. They have suggested other more appropriate options, a wellness day for example. I think it’s a brave move and the right one.

By: Dean

Dean — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 14:14:41 +0000

I am in agreement with FEM. Social spaces should not be used to continuously remind us that we are a group at risk. Yes we are, and we should all know where to seek treatment – but we should not let HIV be used as the driving agenda to reaffirm to us and others that it is a struggle or a vice. It is a chronic illness and health providers are not present at straight events doing testing. We should move on from this concept of trying to force HIV testing down gay and bi men as if we are all reckless. Also with PrEP, things have changed. This age old concept should come to an end and better direction must be given to places where it can take place.

By: Meny

Meny — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 13:33:29 +0000

Why is a feminist organisation deciding whether gay/bi men are allowed to be tested at Pride? Is public health (and the HIV epidemic) not a political and social issue? Furthermore, whether people test positive at Pride or anywhere else, their emotionally-charged reaction will be the same, the counseling time will be more or less the same. Why is FEW taking away men’s choice to get tested when the counseling issue is a non-issue when it comes to Health4men? They do have competent counselors!