Gocha, a co-founder of Pomegranate, shares his perspective on how LGBTQ+ related stigma and barriers to HIV treatment interlink in Georgia, and how access to optimal treatment needs to improve for everyone.
Tbilisi, Georgia. Pictured with friend, Tengo.
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HIV prevalence is higher among LGBTQ+ people. “This is because of a double-stigma,” explains Gocha. “It’s difficult to be ‘different’ in Georgia. We have strict rules, or gender roles, about how men and women should behave. When you don’t match up with this it is common to be victimised.”
Story produced for our Make Medicines Affordable campaign, read more here: http://makemedicinesaffordable.org/en/pride-hiv-prevalence-and-pomegranates-fighting-for-rights-in-georgia/