Homosexuality, Sex Work, and HIV/AIDS in Displacement and Post-Conflict Settings: The Case of Refugees in Uganda

Abstract

This article aims to disrupt the silence, invisibility and erasures of non-heteronormative sexual orientations or gender identities, and of sex work, in HIV/AIDS responses within displacement and post-conflict settings in Africa. Informed by Gayle Rubin's sexual hierarchy theoretical framework, 1 it explores the role of discrimination and violation of the rights of sex workers and of gender and sexual minorities in driving the HIV/AIDS epidemic during displacement. Specific case materials focus on ethnographic research conducted in urban and rural Uganda. Recommendations for policy, practice and programmes are outlined.

‘It’s Not a Gift When It Comes with Price’: A Qualitative Study of Transactional Sex between UN Peacekeepers and Haitian Citizens

“…This may be particularly relevant in the context of particular sexual acts which were requested or demanded by the male partner and which the civilian did, despite his or her actual desires. The power imbalance of age, access to resources, foreigner status, and socioeconomic class as well as fears of persecution for political or sexual orientation reasons can also influence the perception of coercion (Atwood et al 2011;Higate 2007;Jennings 2010;Maclin et al 2015;Nyanzi 2013;O'Brien 2011;Okigbo et al 2014).…”

Incarceration and exposure to internally displaced persons camps associated with reproductive rights abuses among sex workers in northern Uganda

“…Additionally, the criminalisation of sex work in sub-Saharan Africa and other settings has been shown to result in human rights violations which contribute to negative SRH outcomes for FSWs 10 20. The limited research available on women's experiences within the criminal justice system in sub-Saharan Africa demonstrates how current punitive approaches may undermine SRH and rights for incarcerated female inmates 21.…”

‘Leave No One Behind’: Gender, Sexuality and the Sustainable Development Goals

“…SOGIE-inclusive health-care policies and programmes also need to extend beyond a historic focus on HIV to include mental and physical wellbeing, and access to essential health services more broadly. In Uganda, for example, studies have found that mental and physical health have been undermined by the proliferation of hate crimes against LGBTI people; and, further, that these crimes often go unreported because of fear that their victims' sexual orientation or gender identity would be disclosed to law enforcement officials, prompting further violence at the hands of state authorities (Nyanzi 2013;Lundberg et al 2011). A study in Lebanon found that the psychological wellbeing of MSM was directly shaped by their experience of stigma in their family, and in their schools, universities and work places (Wagner et al 2013).…”

“…Five further articles address housing for people of sexual minorities or gender variant identities as a relevant factor in their findings of SOGIE-related poverty (Billies et al 2009;Botti and D'Ippoliti 2014;Biçmen and Bekiroğulları 2014;Nyanzi 2013;Rew et al 2005). In all of the articles the researchers found that LGBTI people have difficulty accessing housing compared to heterosexual individuals.…”

“…A study on sexual health risks of self-identified LGB youth found that young people whose parents had disapproved of their sexuality were at a greater risk of being homeless, and of contracting sexually transmitted illnesses (Rew et al 2005). Other studies have found that assumptions of heterosexuality by service providers play a significant role in deterring young people from accessing housing services (Botti and D'Ippoliti 2014;Biçmen and Bekiroğulları 2014;Nyanzi 2013).…”