Media Watch

HIV activists ‘terrorised’ by God-Zille’s HIV criminalisation comments

Helen Zille’s recently aired and very controversial views on the criminalization of unsafe sex and who deserves HIV treatment have proved to be the sparks that ignited a slew of online media coverage and responses from outraged HIV activists.

Zille was reported as saying that unsafe sex should be criminalised, particularly when it came to men involved in multiple concurrent partnerships.

The premier also stated that those who contract HIV through irresponsible behavior should not “come running to the state” for treatment.

The most notable response to Zille’s controversial remarks came from Nathan Geffen (TAC) and Gavin Silber (Social Justice Coalition).

Geffen and Silber argue that the Premier’s opinions are “misinformed and unscientific” and “unconstitutional” to boot. Most importantly, Geffen and Silber point out that the criminalisation of unsafe sex and the withdrawal of treatment from those deemed undeserving and irresponsible, would actually have negative consequences for those living with the virus and for the spread of HIV itself.