HIV, America, and Mancunians

On January 4, 2010 the US entered a new era. It wasn’t the date that Barack Obama announced a withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, nor the implementation for free health care but to some, it was every bit as important. The date is significant because Barack Obama finished a move, surprisingly set in motion by his predecessor George W. Bush, and lifted a 22 year ban on HIV positive individuals entering the United States of America.

The immigration ban was implemented following a popular right-wing campaign, and passed through the senate in 1987. January’s lifting of the ban leaves only 10 countries preventing HIV entry including Libya, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

Lisa Power, head of policy at leading HIV and AIDs awareness charity, the Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “The ban was pushed by senator Jesse Helms, who held extremely right-wing views.

“It was a very populist move, publicised along the lines of ‘keep these disease ridden foreigners out of our country’, which didn’t match the levels of infection already in the US at all.”

According to the Health Protection Agency at the end of 2008 there were around 7,500 people living with HIV in the North West and it’s estimated that 27% of individuals are currently undiagnosed. It is estimated that in the UK there are 80,000 sufferers – a quarter of which are undiagnosed. When you consider that in 2008 there was a 6% increase of new diagnoses of HIV infection in the North West, compared to a national average of 3% there is some cause for concern.

The George House Trust, in Manchester, provides support and advice to people who are HIV positive along with contraception to help prevent the spread of the diseases. Lynda Shentall, Director of Services at the Trust believes that the lifting of the ban is a sign in a change of attitudes to the condition.

The trust provides an opportunity for training and simply discussing experiences of the disease providing weekly ‘spaces’ for HIV positive individuals.

“It is a massive victory in terms of removing barriers and we have to look at the positives. In one swoop a lot of the prejudices against HIV and AIDs have been deconstructed,” said Ms Shentall.

Lifting the ban is just the start to changing attitudes. Following years of campaigning from prominent groups such as the Terrence Higgins Trust, and human rights campaigners such as Peter Tatchell there is a conflict over the importance of the ban.

Ms Shentall put the issue in context: “When you’re dealing with people facing deportation to Malawi where this is no medication, its more life threatening than being denied a family holiday or a business trip.”

“Many people with HIV in the North West have been affected when they were trying to travel to see family and we have to see the change in US policy as a positive step.”

The lifting of the ban means that the World Aids Conference will be hosted in America for the first time in 2012.

Manchester Councillor for Gay Men’s Rights, Paul Fairweather, said he was extremely pleased that the ban had finally been lifted.

“A gay man who was HIV positive came to my surgery last year and was very concerned about the ban.

“The reality is that gay men have been going to America but they have had to send their drugs in advance to a friend or lie about them. The ban has created a lot of pressure and problems for HIV positive people who wanted, or needed to visit the States.

“There have been several cases of people being turned back by border authorities,” said Mr Fairweather.

Whilst HIV sufferers feel relieved that substantial difficulties have been removed when attempting to visit the United States, there are many stories of HIV positive individuals being forced to conceal or lie about their illness to be able to enter the country.

Ms Power said: “Even if you did manage to get a restricted VISA it was the same as the one provided to criminals – and you are still hauled to one side and forced to explain yourself, something that is uncomfortable at the best of times.”

Ms Power continued: “Fifty years ago when I was growing up people were still worried about catching cancer from being in the same room. Attitudes towards people with HIV have changed a lot – but we’ve still got a long way to go.”

For more information on George House Trust, including services or volunteer work contact: 0161 274 4499 or visit www.ght.org.uk Terrence Higgins Trust can be visited at www.tht.org.uk.