Conference in South Africa on Same-Sex Sexuality and HIV/AIDS

HIV Center Investigator Theo Sandfort, Ph.D. recently took a lead role in initiating a three-day conference held in Pretoria, South Africa entitled "Gender, Same-Sex Sexuality, and HIV/AIDS." The event, from May 9 to 11, 2007, was co-sponsored by the HIV Center and the South African Human Sciences Research Council. While a majority of the 61 researchers, policymakers, outreach workers, community representatives and advocates in attendance were South African, participants were drawn from 12 countries in total. 

Photo courtesy of Zanele Muholi

South Africa has the world's most extensive HIV/AIDS epidemic, with the great majority of infections occurring through unprotected heterosexual activity. However, the role of same-sex behaviors, which have fueled the epidemic in other parts of the world, has previously been largely overlooked. With major changes in South African politics and society over the past 13 years, including the legalization of same-sex marriage, the time had arrived for a systematic focus on the role of same-sex behaviors.

 "It was the first time for South Africa that a conference like this was held, and it was a wonderful venue for networking," noted Sandfort, who co-chaired the meeting with Vasu Reddy, Ph.D. of the South African Human Sciences Research Council. "For people from neighboring countries, it was a first opportunity to exchange information about research and prevention focused on individuals who practice same-sex sexuality."

While the principal focus was on research, other topics discussed included HIV prevention, testing, care, and access to treatment. Participants stressed the need for research that brings about change and can have impact on a variety of levels, including among policymakers, community organizations, health care systems, and LGB communities and individuals. Various tensions were discussed, such as those between "behavior" and "meaning," between mainstreaming and categorical approaches, and between the adoption of LGB-labels and acknowledging the diverse ways in which people self-identify.

Participants engaged in extensive discussions about the ethics of conducting research with vulnerable populations. The dialogue stressed the need for an ongoing reflection: Why do we study specific questions? What is the context in which we work? How will study outcomes affect the populations that we study? Do we appropriately reflect the lives and experiences of the people that we study? Participants agreed that HIV cannot be understood or effectively addressed without taking into account such related issues as stigma, discrimination, violence, alcohol and drug use, and broad socio-economic and cultural circumstances.

The conferees decided to build a Sub-Saharan network for researchers, prevention workers, and community representatives focused on same-sex sexuality and HIV/AIDS. A follow-up conference is being planned for 2009. Proceedings of the conference will become available later in 2007. For more information, email Theo Sandfort.