Ban Ki-Moon calls for laws against homophobia

At the International AIDS conference in Mexico, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon advised nations to 'pass laws against homophobia' in order to slow the spreading of HIV/AIDS.

Writing in the Washington Times, Ban Ki-Moon continued to urge societies

'to speak out against discrimination and to guarantee the rights of people living with HIV. Schools should teach respect and understanding. Religious leaders should preach tolerance. The media should condemn prejudice and use its influence to advance social change, from securing legal protections to ensuring access to health care,'

This sends a clear message to all about the role of homophobia and HIV stigma and prejudice – more prejudice, homophobia and denial = more HIV diagnosis and wider spread of the virus, globally.