HIV funds cut in Scottish storm over gay rights

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Glasgow City Council has been forced to suspend funding to four agencies providing HIV/AIDS services and health promotion in Glasgow following legal action by a body called the Christian Institute. The Institute claims that support for the groups contravenes section 2a Section 28 of the 1988 Local Government Act. The provision, popularly known as `the Clause', forbids the promotion of homosexuality by a local authority.

Phace West, Body Positive Strathclyde, the Strathclyde HIV & AIDS Carers & Family Support Group and Strathclyde Lesbian and Gay Switchboard face a funding suspension until a judicial review of the City Council's actions has taken place

Body Positive Strathclyde provides a drop-in service and treatment information, whilst Phace West provides welfare advice, an all-night HIV helpline and a youth group for young gay men.

Glossary

bid

Abbreviation of a Latin term meaning twice daily.

safer sex

Sex in which the risk of HIV and STI transmission is reduced or is minimal. Describing this as ‘safer’ rather than ‘safe’ sex reflects the fact that some safer sex practices do not completely eliminate transmission risks. In the past, ‘safer sex’ primarily referred to the use of condoms during penetrative sex, as well as being sexual in non-penetrative ways. Modern definitions should also include the use of PrEP and the HIV-positive partner having an undetectable viral load. However, some people do continue to use the term as a synonym for condom use.

The decision is the latest salvo in escalating political tension over the Scottish parliament's bid to repeal Section 28. The move has been opposed by religious and right-wing groups in Scotland in a high profile campaign.

How the funding suspension was engineered

It was the City Council's support for the Phace West youth group project which first attracted the criticism of the Christian Institute. In a press release dated January 5, the "Christian research organisation" says that group's website provides "direct access to gay porn" in the form of links to safer sex booklets produced in Scotland for gay men.

The Christian Institute subsequently sought an interim interdict to prevent funding of a number of groups by Glasgow City Council. In order to prevent its funding decisions becoming embroiled in eighteen months or more of legal wrangling, Glasgow City Council took the decision to suspend funding pending a judicial review, which must take place within six weeks.

"PHACE West is rightly proud of all of its services" said Charlie Macmillan, director of the organisation. "people with HIV have a fundamental right to high quality services aimed at relieving social exclusion."

Phace West provided services to over 300 individuals last year. The services directly affected by the funding suspension are the Buddy service, Welfare Rights advice service and the Nightowl crisis line.