Do Gay TV Shows Cause A Rise In HIV?
Author: Ninette Murk
Wednesday 16th of August 2017 05:13:43 PM

The deputy governor of Bangkok has claimed that rising HIV rates are a result of more “gay TV”.

While speaking to Thai media after governing a conference on HIV, Thaweesak Lertprapan claimed that LGBT+ TV shows had made it more “fashionable” to be gay. The politician said that the “fashion trend” meant that HIV infections were on the “rise”.

He said: “The risk to HIV is increasing among gay men more than other groups because of men imitating behaviour from TV soap operas and social media. This has made being gay fashionable and hastened the coming-out process among youths.”

 


The comments have been strongly condemned by LGBT+ activists in the country for not being based in fact.

Talking to Khao Sod English, director of the AIDS Access Foundation Nimit Tienudom said that there was no study or research to support the politician. “I don’t agree with him. I think it’s an opinion which doesn’t have any supporting study or research to support,” they said.


Midnight Poonkassetwattana, executive director of APCOM, added that the real risk of HIV rise came from a lack of sexual health education. “A big issue is that many young gay men don’t seek out HIV education, testing and treatment services for fear of the discrimination and exclusion they could experience if they’re ‘outed’ or if they are diagnosed with HIV.”


They stressed that having LGBT+ characters on TV could only help, as it would make young people coming to terms with their sexuality more comfortable in seeking support.


“Having gay characters on TV helps make young gay men feel more comfortable about their sexuality, which in turn means it’s more likely that they will seek support for issues related to HIV and their health.”
Source: Pink News

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