Let’s talk about sex Overcoming HIV in conservative settings

Overview – MENA Homosexuality is illegal in all Arab countries Challenging environment for LGBT organizing Security and political instability

Common issues across the region Social reasons Fear from the families; Fear from the law; Wrong conception about homosexuality; Lack of sexual education; Religion; Lack of information targeting the LGBT community; Lack of prevention material about reproductive health Lack of support network for LGBT people Medical Reasons Discriminatory attitudes of health professionals regarding MSM; Lack of confidentiality at voluntary testing centers; Lake of accessible counseling service for MSM/gay men; Difficulty in accessing existing services.

HIV and sexual rights movement In 2004 only two LGBT organizations existed in the MENA region 2005 first regional HIV/AIDS initiative targeting MSM community

MAIN activities  Dissemination of appropriate information on sexual identity issues and HIV/AIDS to MSM  Providing prevention material  Outreach work for LGBT  Developing publications on sexual Heath for LGBT  Establishment of a better referral system for health-care services;  Provision of free psychosocial support/therapy, to be sustained even after the project’s fund is spent;  Developing a booklet intended for the families of LGBT population.

Positive impact Offering an umbrella for LGBT activists Offering space for MSM to organize (In Lebanon) Helem became a key partner of the National AIDS Program. Providing the opportunity for MSM activists to establish contact with the police and decision-makers. Helem noticed behavior/attitude change of policemen towards MSM.

HIV/AIDS activists V/S LGBT activists Focus on HIV/AIDS, Excluding L and T Lack of holistic approach to sexual health Lack of rights based approach and community engagement Lack of creativity Lack of community leadership

HIV/AIDS activists V/S LGBT activists

2008

Examples of intersections: Services MARSA:

Examples of intersections: Services Community based management Holistic approach to sexual health Building alliances through inclusion Filling the gap between sexual health and sexual rights

Examples of intersections: Capacity Building The Arab foundation for freedoms and equality: Including HIV/AIDS in a broader discourse on gender and bodily rights HIV/AIDS prevention as part of the right for sexual education and awareness Putting HIV/AIDS in a broader political context HIV/AIDS research is a component of a boarder research on gender and sexual rights Security trainings and risk management

Examples of intersections: network building Vision: The vision of M-Coalition is an Arab world where right to health and all other human rights of Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) are recognized, realized and protected. Mission: The mission of « M-Coalition » is to facilitate the access of MSM in the Arab world to, services of prevention, care, treatment and quality support through advocacy, creation of a favorable environment, capacity building and follow-up, research, exchange of good practices and coordination on a local, regional and international levels and this, by collaborating with other entities of health and human rights.

Across MENA Morocco: ASWAT MAGAZINE Tunisia: ARKAN – CHAML ALGERIA: ALWAN – ABU NAWAS Egypt - SUDAN: BEDAYA IRAQ – KUWAIT

Milestones 2004: Two organizations working on LGBT issues in the MENA region 2005: First regional project targeting the MSM community: Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Lebanon: Adapted services for MSM Psycho-social support Advocacy with the National Aids programs 2013: Lebanese psychiatric associations removes homosexuality from the list of mental illnesses 2013: Historical ruling in Lebanon