UNAIDS Executive Director’s Message on 2013 IDAHO

Message on International day against homophobia and transphobia (IDAHO)

17th May 2013

Michel Sidibé

UNAIDS Executive Director

More than 30 years ago, gay men lit the first spark that kindled the world’s response to the AIDS epidemic. Thanks to the audacity and courage of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender people, we have now seen extraordinary progress against AIDS around the world.

However, stigma and discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity still drive new HIV infections and are an obstacle to treatment efforts in every part of the world.

We call on political and community leaders to cast aside discriminatory laws and social practices.

The right to health belongs to everyone. Everyone should have access to HIV prevention, care, treatment and support.

Today and every day, UNAIDS stands with our fellow LGBT brothers and sisters for a world without homophobia and transphobia.

Let us work together to realize our vision: a world with zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths.

Contact

UN Communications Office in Viet Nam | Nguyen Thi Bich Hue | tel. 3822 4383 ext.105 |bichhuen@unaids.org

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners to maximize results for the AIDS response. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.