Initial reaction to the appointment of Shaun Robinson as the new Executive Director of the NZ AIDS Foundation has focused on his sexuality, with mixed reaction to having a straight man helming an organisation whose primary focus is the sexual practices of gay and bisexual men. Bill Logan, an NZAF life member and frequent public commentator on the Foundation's direction, says he is "mystified" by the board deciding to appoint a straight man with a Christian social services background. Logan would not amplify on his one word reaction, but five years ago he thundered that it was a fact of life that "gay men in New Zealand simply will not listen to any non-gay person telling us how to have sex." Gay and bi men are by far the biggest group contracting HIV in this country. Tom Hamilton of Rainbow Youth says he was involved in the interview process for the position so can't comment publicly on that aspect of Robinson's appointment. He believes glbt people need to "broaden our perspective... and hopefully he will be aware of our communities and youth in particular. "Shaun seems like a really straight-up kind of guy and I think he will do a good job," he says. Hamilton says he hopes the NZAF addresses the gay male community "and listens to their needs." There are lots of gay men in the Foundation and if that's not depleted and as long as Shaun is dealing with all the communities affected by HIV and follows the board's guidance then it will be ok." "The sexual orientation of the Executive Director isn't going to dominate [the Foundation's] voice, the whole of the Foundation provides its voice," Hamilton says. The OUTLine telephone counseling service, which staffs the national HIV Hotline on contract to the NZAF, is guarded and diplomatic in its response. "We look forward to meeting Shaun when he takes up the role in January," the organisation says. "OUTLine has a long standing working relationship with NZAF and we will continue to work with the entire NZAF team to support people with HIV and stop the transmission of HIV between men who have sex with men in New Zealand.” Meanwhile, a number of glbt community service organisations and individuals involved in HIV prevention and support similarly asked for their reaction today have preferred to only speak frankly either off the record or on an unattributed basis. They have used words such as "staggering", "gobsmacked" and "unbelievable." You can discuss this New Zealand gay community news story in the GayNZ.com Forum.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 16th December 2010 - 1:23pm