What Lessons Can We Learn from the HIV/AIDS Era about Ensuring Health Policy Meet the Needs of Gay People?

Abstract

The HIV/AIDS era has witnessed considerable discrimination against gay men and exposed the underlying issue of familization of health policies. As the millieu constantly change over times, health policies catering the needs of family does not necessarily meet the needs of individuals. For instance, when viewing family as a unit, it held family members liable for certain duties, while easing the role of the state. It is important to recognize the needs of different population, mental health issues of sexual minorities as well as the intersectionality of inequalities that put certain group in an even more vulnerable stance. The essay illustartes the issue with health policies for gay men in the HIV/AIDS period and proposes recommendations for future policymakers by analysing peer reviewed papers on lessons learnt from the HIV/AIDS era.