REPORT ON THE PUBLIC DIALOGUE DISCUSSION ORGANIZED BY AFRICAN REGIONAL SEXUALITY RESOURCE CENTER HELD AT AHI
ON 11th JUNE 2008
THEME: MEN SEXUALITY AND HEALTH IN CONTEXT TO HIV/AIDS
The meeting started with the introduction of presenters, researchers and discussants to the high table in persons of:
- Dr Sylvia Adebajo; Department of Community Health, University Of Lagos,
- Prof. Ted Myers
- Dr Dan Allman
- Sade Ogunsola: Department of Community Health, University of Lagos
- Robert Remis.
- Liviana Calzavara.
The welcome address was done by the Director of Africa Regional Sexuality Resource Centre (ARSRC) in person of Dr. Richmond Tiemoko. He made mention of the theme of the discussion: MEN SEXUALITY AND HEALTH IN THE CONTEXT OF HIV/AIDS. He proceeded by making a quote which says “Often a man is asleep and it is awake, and many times a man is awake and it is asleep. Many times a man want to use it, and it does not want to; many times it want to and man forbids it -LEONARDO DA VINCI.” He then talked about "CROSS DRESSING” amongst men and gave an example of a man who was arrested at the airport for cross dressing. He asked, why do men cross dress and how does it affect his sexuality?
The data dialogue presentation was done by Prof. Ted Myers. He made mention of the sexual types of men that exist ranging from Heterosexual, Bisexual, Homosexual and Transvestite men. He talked about the rate at which everyone of them is at risk to STI's, HIV and AIDS as a result of their sexual orientation.
Dr. Sylvia Adebajo of the Department Of Community Health, University of Lagos explained on how long it took to complete the research amongst MSM in Nigeria with the aid of the late MR DARE ODUMUYE. She made some points on;
- The low rate of condom usage among MSM in Nigeria
- How HIV/AIDs and other related diseases and infection have reversed life expectant trends
- How male same-sex sexual behavior is criminalized
- How same-sex discrimination resulted in MSM living in denial, secrecy, violence, stigmatization and marginalization etc
She gave more explanation on the data derived from the research “Men Study”. Please check www.arsrc.org for details.
Dr. Dan Allman continued by facilitating a question and answer segment. Some questions raised are;
- Do MSM exist in our community?
- Where and how can they be located?
- How do they derive pleasure from anal sex?
- Do they indulge in it due to poverty?
- What name are they called?
A participant at the meeting responded that he thinks they are prostitutes, insane and needs to be rehabilitated. Dr. Sylvia and another participant responded.
In conclusion, Dr. Sylvia made some key points and asked everyone to contribute to it.
The salient points derived from the presentation are;
- Confirmation of the real existence of MSM in Nigeria
- Dialogue should be taken to higher levels (Discrimination)
- HIV/AIDS has nothing to do with sexual orientation.
- Qualitative studies are needed.
- Heterogeneity of Sexuality
- Misconception that anal sex is safer to HIV/AIDS, Unwanted pregnancies than vaginal sex.
- High population risk to STI's, HIV/AIDS.
- Unique sampling techniques
At this point, someone stated that anal sex is not only practiced by MSM but also by heterosexuals.
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE?
- Dissemination should be done.
- Advocacy to the government(Legislative arm)
- More of public enlighten on MSM.
- Program HIV prevention intervention among MSM.
- Establishment of more MSM friendly centers.
- Informing and Educating the Media more on MSM in terms of judgment.
- Better understanding of human sexuality.
- Proper usage of condoms to all.
- To individually accept the reality of the situation.
- How people view MSM-As a real man in term of SEX?
- Partnership with the Media.
- Resolving the issue whether or not Homosexuality is Legal
WHO SHOULD DO WHAT?
More of these on WWW.ARSRC.ORG
Respectful submitted by;
Adedamola Ipadeola
