“Christianity, Sexual Diversity and Access to Health Services” is a discussion paper that examines the attitudes of institutional and popular Christianity towards men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender persons (TG), the impact of such attitudes towards the aforementioned individuals in relation to HIV prevention and treatment, as well as Christian teachings and strategies that affirm key affected populations and people living with HIV.
In Asia-Pacific countries, Abrahamic religions such as Islam and Christianity often condemn same-sex behaviour and gender non-conformity. This kind of stigma can and does create a sense of low self-esteem among men who have sex with men and transgender people. This, in turn, can prevent them from protecting themselves from the risks related to unsafe sexual behaviour as well as accessing available health services.
This discussion paper is APCOM’s knowledge product on coordinating an empowering response to such faith-based stigma and discrimination. A similar discussion paper focusing on Islam teaching has been released in 2013, and positively received and used by the community advocates.
Watch the video below for the Q&As with the author Joseph N. Goh.
