Posted by Benjamin
Clapham, September 4, 2012
I am just leaving Tarapoto, Peru, a small town in the middle of
the Peruvian jungle. I spent the past two days with Diversidad San Martinense
(DISAM), a youth-led organization for and by gay men, other MSM, and transgender
individuals (GMT). Peru is an interesting place in terms of government support
for HIV programming for at-risk populations. Peru is one of just a few
developing nations that have world-class researchers working with GMT, and the
government is increasingly showing support for broader civil and human rights
for these populations. Nevertheless, societal stigma and discrimination is
rampant and still threatens access to vital services.
DISAM is receiving amfAR funding (through a grant from the Elton
John AIDS Foundation)—the organization’s first ever official grant—to analyze
gaps in health services for GMT and to work with health professionals in filling
those gaps.
I attended a working lunch with the members of DISAM and 10
local policymakers, health professionals, local authorities, and other
stakeholders to discuss the issues facing GMT in Peru. I was pleased to hear
that several people in the room were concerned about security and were working
with health personnel to increase access to testing and treatment. The objective
of the meeting was to capitalize on the power and position of these stakeholders
to get concrete plans in place for helping GMT in Peru. DISAM has already been
able to get two orders passed in the San Martin Province that state that
discrimination based on sexual identity and gender is not permitted in public
places. Although these orders are not official laws, they mark positive first
steps towards inclusive public policy in Peru for GMT. Alex, the director of
DISAM, acknowledged that Peru is ahead of most countries in the region in terms
of services and policies for GMT, and was optimistic that more changes were
coming.
I left Peru with a great sense of pride. DISAM reminded me that
a small group of people really can make a positive impact.