PRESS RELEASE

Community Announcement from Action for AIDS

Dear members of the Singaporean Gay community

Action for AIDS received an email last week about a possible case of infringement of the Infectious Diseases Act (IDA). The complainant emailed to AfA and the Singapore Police Force, stating that he is able to provide pictures and contact number of the accused. (See email below)

We are unable to ascertain the facts of this case at this point of time.

However we would like to highlight this incident and for you to consider the following -

• Under the IDA anyone who knows that he has HIV, or has reason to believe that he has been exposed to HIV, should inform his sex partners before engaging in any sexual activities, and that there might be a risk of contracting HIV from him. Failure to do so can result in criminal charges.
• Unprotected anal sex carries the highest risk of transmitting HIV. If you are not absolutely sure of your sex partner’s HIV status, you need to protect yourself by using a condom during any sexual activities.
• Promotion of unprotected anal intercourse under the influence of recreational drugs whether it be on the Internet chat lines or through other ways should not be condoned. It is a sure way of increasing HIV transmission among our community and works against all our interests. AfA would like gay websites to take down such postings
• While most HIV+ gay men have taken measures to protect their partners and themselves, there remains a small number who make deliberate attempts to spread HIV. It is very difficult to identify and pin-point this group of individuals. If you have information about such activities, you should post them on the Internet channels.

There are many reasons why people still engage in unprotected anal sex. While we will try our best to educate and inform, we also hope that other socially-conscious and informed members of the gay community will help to spread the word as well.

We would like to encourage the community to stay vigilant to help curb the spread of virus. Together, we can stop AIDS now.

Action for AIDS

Email from complainant

From: (deleted) [mailto: (deleted)@xxx.com]

Sent: May 2008

To: - (deleted)

Subject: HIV Infected in Singapore

Hi there,

I am from (deleted). I was tested HIV positive in Singapore last January 2008. I had my two tests before that: September 2007 in [another country] and December 18, 2007 (DSC Clinic in Singapore.); both negative results.

I had unprotected sex with male Chinese Singaporean on December 14. Then tested HIV positive for my employment requirements in end January. I was not able to inform the guy about my health condition because I deleted his contacts in my mobile phone after that meeting. I know it was him who infected me.

Today, I came across him in gay site for singaporean men with this message:

"hi me flex chn (details deleted)..ru into raw chem fuck?"

I would like to believe that he's out there in Singapore trying to lure everyone for an unprotected sex and not telling them about their HIV status.

Though nothing will change my HIV status right now, I believe I will save a lot of guys from further destruction if he’s really HIV positive. With Singapore's small population there's a big chance of meeting an HIV positive person like him.

I am willing to provide his photo and mobile number for proper action by concerned authorities.

I love Singapore. I am looking forward to have a good life there but all was lost. I am not blaming anyone nor him but at the end of the day... it will be good if I spare others from the stigma of being HIV positive guy.

Thanks,

[name removed]