Date:02/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/02/stories/2008120259310400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Government accused of misinformation

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: Even as World AIDS Day was observed all over the State to heighten awareness and fight against stigma and discrimination of people living with HIV/AIDS, officials from the Ramanagara District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit on Monday distributed leaflets warning people to stay away from homosexuals to prevent AIDS. Geeta Umesh, general secretary of Karnataka Sex Workers Union/Karnataka Sexual Minorities Forum, has condemned the actions of health and police officials for spreading misinformation against homosexuals. In a press release, Ms. Geeta alleged that the messages on the leaflets were actually spreading prejudice, stigma and discrimination against homosexuals and making them further vulnerable to HIV infection. “This is completely opposite to the strategy of National AIDS Control programme, which seeks to fight stigma and discrimination against homosexuals and support their human rights as a strategy to reduce their vulnerability to HIV infection,” she said.