A speech describing the effects of discrimination, delivered to the Pan Pacific AIDS conference in Auckland, has prompted a back-down by anti-gay activists in Fiji. The Methodist Church in Fiji says it will put off holding another anti-gay march until it has met with the local gay community, a decision reported to have been made after a speech by Fijian Sexual Minorities Project spokesman Carlos Perera at the conference. New Zealand AIDS Foundation Executive Director Rachel Le Mesurier says she looks forward to hearing the results of the announced dialogue, adding that when minority groups are marginalised the conditions which lead to the spread of HIV are exacerbated. The Methodist Church in Fiji has already held one anti-gay march, just weeks before the Conference at which Fijian Speaker of the House, Ratu Sir Epeli Nailatikau and the Fiji-based regional director of UNAIDS both called for Pacific Island political and religious leaders to address in tollerant attitudes to gays.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Monday, 7th November 2005 - 12:00pm