UNAIDS slams Ghulam Nabi Azad for comment on homosexuality

Following health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad's remark that men having sex with men is a 'disease' and 'unnatural', UNAIDS emphasised that homosexuality is not a disease and that there is no place for discrimination based on a person's sexual orientation.

'India's rich tradition of inclusivity and social justice must include MSM and transgenders,' said Michel Sidibé, executive director, UNAIDS. He added that UNAIDS did not regard homosexuality as a disease.

Speaking at the National Convention of Parliamentarians on HIV/AIDS on Monday, Azad said, 'The disease of MSM is unnatural and not good for India. We are not able to identify where it is happening as it is less reported.'

The minister's remarks also attracted flak from the gay community and activists.

Sidibé spoke out strongly against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

'India's successful reponse to AIDS is possible due to strong participation of communities of MSM, sex workers, people who inject drugs and transgenders, backed by a strong and progressive National AIDS policy,' Sidibe said.

Mohnish Malhotra, who is involved in the fight for gay rights, said, 'It is shocking that such a comment was made by the country's health minister.'

He added that the UN had passed a resolution that the LGBT community has equal rights in the society and cannot be discriminated.

According to NACO, there are more than 400,000 MSM in India. HIV prevalence in this population is about 7.3 percent compared to a national adult HIV prevalence of 0.31 percent. India has over 2.5 million HIV positive people.