PAKISTANI MSM INDIVIDUALS SUFFERING FROM HIV, FACING SOCIAL ISOLATION AND UNSTABLE LIVELIHOOD IN LAHORE
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Date
2024
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Publisher
UMT.Lahore
Abstract
The state of Pakistan is a conservative state with laws and societal norms
discouraging its members to refrain from practicing particular behaviors, one of which
is homosexuality. Homosexuality is considered a taboo in Pakistani society with
multiple stakeholders involved posing as barriers to discourage this practice. The
homosexual community of Pakistan is a High Risk Group, a group which is more
likely to be violated by others and contract dangerous diseases, one of which is HIV.
HIV has a lot of stigmatization associated with it in Pakistan which can lead patients
to social isolation that can ultimately result in an unsustainable livelihood. This
research aims to study the living conditions of such individuals identifying themselves
as homosexuals who are suffering from HIV and how the stigma associated with
homosexuals and HIV is affecting their lives. A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with
10 homosexuals with HIV was held to gain an in-depth view of the living conditions
of such individuals. Upon conducting the study, it was revealed how these individuals
are suffering from depression, anxiety and treated as an outcast member of the society
due to the stigma and discrimination associated with both homosexuals and HIV