Six Gay Men Shot To Death In Iraq

BAGHDAD, IRAQ - Six gay men were shot dead by members of their tribe in two separate incidents in the past 10 days, an official with Iraq's Interior ministry said.
In the most recent attack, two men were killed Thursday in Sadr City area of Baghdad after they were disowned by relatives, the official said.
The shootings came after a tribal meeting was held and the members decided to go after the victims.
On March 26, four additional men were fatally shot in the same city, the official said, adding that the victims had also been disowned by their relatives.
The official declined to be identified because he is not authorized to speak to the media.
Witnesses told CNN that a Sadr City cafe, which was a popular gathering spot for gays, was also set on fire.
from CNN

Men Here Believe They Are Immune To The Disease

BAGHDAD - Iraq has traditionally had one of the lowest incidences of HIV/AIDS in the Middle East. This started to slowly change after the US-led invasion in 2003 brought hundreds of foreigners into the country, opening the doors for the spread of the virus, health workers say.
The Baghdad-based AIDS Research Centre said that new cases are appearing monthly and with the current chaos in the public health services, patients might suffer severely with the lack of appropriate medicines.
Nearly 100 Iraqis with AIDS have registered with the centre but authorities believe that about twice this number exist who have not registered.
Um Khalid (not her real name) caught the virus from her husband, who frequently had sexual relations with sex workers. After discovering his disease, he left his wife with three young children and travelled abroad.
"I am one of the many victims of HIV in Iraq. My husband betrayed me. At least if he had used condoms with the prostitute, I would not be sick today. This is a common problem in Iraq because men here believe they are immune to the disease. I worry for the hundreds of young men who think like this and will be the next victims of the prostitutes who contaminate my country.
"Since my husband left me, I support my three children by myself. My health is getting worse every day, especially because the only centre in Iraq for AIDS treatment is lacking some medicines and I cannot afford the rest [available in the private sector].
"I don't worry if I die because it will be my destiny. But I just think about my children who will become orphans without anyone to take care of them. My [extended] family has abandoned us, saying that my disease could be passed on to other family members and [they believe] my children are sick for sure.
"I know it is hard in a Muslim country like Iraq to speak about condoms and sexual relations out of marriage, but it is the reality in the country and the government should do more to prevent young people having the same destiny that I now have."
from IRIN News