Press Release

22 November 2004

UK MINISTER TO CHALLENGE DANCE HALL ARTISTS ON AIDS AND HOMOPHOBIA
                               

International development minister Gareth Thomas today joined Caribbean political and community leaders to challenge the homophobia and stigma that are allowing the region’s HIV and AIDS epidemics to get worse. He told a conference in St Kitts that anti-gay lyrics in dancehall music and the attitudes of churches and other community groups are preventing people from taking HIV tests, inhibiting high quality HIV prevention work and fuelling the epidemic in the Caribbean.

Gareth Thomas said: 

“The music industry has a special role to play in combating stigmatisation. A number of artists are effectively contributing to the spread of HIV, by producing reggae and rap songs actively encouraging discrimination against those who have AIDS and encouraging violence towards minority groups, such as men who have sex with men. These artists include Buju Banton, Sizzla Kalonji, and others. 

“Yes, we believe in free speech, but nobody in a democracy should be able to incite violence against minorities.

“Leading celebrities and politicians have made a real positive impact on AIDS in many countries. President Museveni in Uganda, Nelson Mandela in South Africa and now internationally as well, Elton John and Bono from U2 in the UK and Ireland. 

“We need more examples from the Caribbean, like the members of the West Indian Cricket Team who have been working hard to raise awareness on AIDS in the region, and the music star Aja who has worked hard to support the AIDS programme in Barbados.” 

“I welcome the action taken by serious music artists, such as John King and Gaby, who have had the courage to take positive action on behalf of those living with AIDS and do not support those who advocate violence against minority groups.”

Gareth Thomas was speaking at the opening of the CARICOM conference: Champions for Change: action to reduce HIV-related stigma and discrimination in St Kitts. The high level conference is jointly hosted by Dr Denzil Douglas, Prime Minister for St Kitts and Nevis, and the UK, and brings together regional and international delegates to develop a plan to reduce stigma and discrimination regarding AIDS in the Caribbean.

Notes To Editors

1. The Department for International Development (DFID) is the British government department responsible for Britain’s contribution towards international efforts to eliminate poverty. DFID aims to support the Caribbean to achieve poverty-reduction targets and the Millennium Development Goals. 

2. The Conference runs from Monday 22 November to Wednesday 24 November at the Marriott Hotel, Frigate Bay.

3. Gareth Thomas will travel from St Kitts to Grenada on Wednesday 24th, where he will see for himself how the islanders are rebuilding their country after Hurricane Ivan. He will also be visiting Jamaica on November 25th, where he will meet with Ministers and officials on security issues and visit a community involved in Jamaica’s sugar industry.

4. For further information or to arrange an interview with Gareth Thomas, please call the DFID Press Office on 020 7023 0600.

5.The full text  (117 kb)of Gareth Thomas' speech is enclosed.