Dear Editor,

Along with the rest of the world, Jamaica celebrated International Women’s Day, Monday, March 8. However, this government has failed to demonstrate leadership in reducing the scourge of HIV/AIDS affecting women by not repealing the buggery law.

The National Aids Committee, UNAIDS, and other local and international agencies have consistently pointed out to the prime minister and the minister of health that the buggery law spreads HIV/AIDS to heterosexual women as:

* The homophobia caused by the buggery law “forces” some gay men to marry or have girlfriends as a cover for their sexuality. When these men can’t hide anymore, they engage in short, risky same-sex activity (usually without a condom) which leads to HIV/AIDS infection that they take home to their wives or girlfriends.

* The buggery law prevents the distribution of condoms in prisons where men engage in unprotected sex, either from necessity or choice, and once infected they take the disease back into the general population upon their release.

*The stigma caused by the buggery law causes same-sex male lovers to shy away from treatment and thus the disease becomes embedded in the society.

It is irresponsible for the government, when faced with this and other data about the causes for the spread of HIV/AIDS in Jamaica, not to repeal the buggery law. Tolerance for homosexuality does not have to mean acceptance of the lifestyle. However, intolerance is definitely killing our women.

Maurice Tomlinson

maurice_tomlinson@yahoo.com