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[Discrimination and homophobia associated to the human immunodeficiency virus epidemic]
Emanuel Orozco-Núñez1, Jacqueline Elizabeth Alcalde-Rabanal1, José Arturo Ruiz-Larios2
1Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México.
Objective:
To describe a political mapping on discrimination and homophobia associated to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the context of public institutions in Mexico.
Materials And Methods:
The political mapping was conducted in six Mexican states. Stakeholders who were involved in HIV actions from public and private sectors were included. Semistructured interviews were applied to explore homophobia and discrimination associated with HIV. Information was systematized using the Policy Maker software, which is a good support for analyzing health policies.
Results:
Discriminatory and homophobic practices in the public domain occurred, damaging people´s integrity via insults, derision and hate crimes. Most stakeholders expressed a supportive position to prevent discrimination and homophobia and some of them had great influence on policy-making decisions. It was found that state policy frameworks are less specific in addressing these issues.
Conclusions:
Homophobia and discrimination associated to HIV are still considered problematic in Mexico. Homophobia is a very sensitive issue that requires further attention. Also, an actual execution of governmental authority requires greater enforcement of laws against discrimination and homophobia.