Changing prejudice against gays

MANY health workers admit that their religious and cultural beliefs prejudice them against gay patients.

But a team of HIV experts in the Western Cape found that just one or two days’ training was enough to transform attitudes.

“The view expressed was that the training resulted in a positive shift towards increased sensitivity and acceptance of men who have sex with men (MSM) and the diversity of human sexuality‚” Andrew Scheibe‚ writing in the Southern African Journal of HIV Medicine, said.

Scheibe and colleagues from the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre at the University of Cape Town provided training to 592 health workers‚ and found that their overall knowledge about MSM improved by 10%.

But it was their attitudes that shifted most.

One of the workers said that when she saw gay sex on TV before the training: “I nearly vomited, I was like‚ ‘dear God‚ what is going on‚ what are these men doing’.

“After the training I was more open-minded and comfortable.”

Some health workers said they found the training shocking and in conflict with their beliefs.

One wrote: “I liked the fact that the workshop did not try and change my perceptions‚” while another said: “I’ve come to realise that behind closed doors you can do whatever. I accept the person’s choice.”

Scheibe said the training uncovered judgmental‚ moralising and homophobic attitudes.

“It is imperative that healthcare providers distinguish between their right to hold personal values and beliefs and their professional obligation to render services free of prejudice and discrimination,” he said.