I L G A
Declaration of Jordi Petit and Inge Wallaert, Secretary Generals, on the occasion of the World AIDS Day 1996
1 December 1996
Recognition of gay and lesbian rights in 85 countries is essential to continue fighting against AIDS
85 countries which still condemn homosexuality as illegal represent an obstacle in the fight against AIDS. Gays and lesbians cannot organize AIDS prevention as long as they remain clandestine. The International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA), a federation of over 300 groups in 75 countries founded in 1978, on the occasion of the World AIDS Day denounces the governments which penalize homosexuality and do not take on their responsibility of providing funds and resources to stop the epidemics in the gay and lesbian community.
We also denounce the Vatican's irresponsible stance of opposition to condom campaigns. In wide areas of the world, such as Latin America and eastern Europe, gay and lesbian organizations receive scarce or nil support from their governments in the fight against AIDS. The undeniable reality of the increasing number of infected heterosexuals cannot be used as a pretext or excuse for homophobia, thus cutting back or limiting resources for AIDS prevention among homosexuals. Gays and lesbians have long been in the forefront of the worldwide struggle against AIDS, and we will continue working for everyone's health.
A call to international institutions
International gay and lesbian organizations will continue to develop cooperative links of solidarity among all countries in order to fight against AIDS. ILGA demands that all world governments and international institutions (such as the UN ) assume their undeniable responsibility and duty to cooperate with the fight against AIDS in the homosexual community, without any concession to homophobia, and to develop dialogue while increasing support to the work done by gay and lesbian organizations.
On this worldwide day of struggle and remembrance of all people who have died of AIDS, ILGA demands more international support for prevention of AIDS among homosexuals. ILGA also expresses its solidarity with all people living with HIV/AIDS and thanks the thousands of gays and lesbians who voluntarily work in many countries. ILGA also reaffirms its denunciation of governments which condemn homosexuality and do not permit AIDS prevention among homosexuals of 85 countries, as is the case of Chile, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Romania.
Compliance with the agreements of the Paris summit
To conclude, ILGA subscribes to the agreements and experience of the International AIDS Conference of Vancouver to reaffirm the conclusions of the Community Forum of NGOs: the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS are human rights. These rights were already defined during the Paris summit, and remain unobserved by many countries, like Argentina, where compulsory HIV testing has been made legal. If in Vancouver it was said that there is hope, we must remember that this will not be possible without solidarity. It is necessary to attend to the needs of Africa and Asia, and it is also necessary that any new treatment be made accesible to everyone. We are all equal before AIDS.
Jordi Petit / Inge Wallaert ILGA Secretary Generals
