TNAG-1830-FCO40-2598-Hong-Kong-laws-on-homosexuality-1988 — Page 58

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20.

AIDS is an important factor in any discussion of

proposals to relax laws on homosexual behaviour.

One widely

held view is that AIDS is primarily confined to homosexuals

and that any relaxation of the law which might lead to a

spread of homosexuality in the community would also lead to a

greater incidence of AIDS. It is true that in the West AIDS

is still largely confined to two groups; homosexuals and

intravenous drug abuses. This fact has led to the view that

AIDS has arisen because some social groups follow unusual

sexual practices or are intravenous drug abusers and that if

these practices cease, or as the patients die, the problem

will dissipate.

21.

For

This argument is difficult to sustain in the face of

the evidence available. Several studies in the USA and in

Europe suggest that the role of heterosexual contact in the

transmission of AIDS has been understated (16). Data from

African studies indicate that homosexuality and drug abuse do

not now play a major role in the spread of AIDS (17).

example, there is a 1 : 1 male female ratio among AIDS cases;

AIDS patients have been found to be particularly active

heterosexually; male patients were found to have had sex

significantly more often with female prostitutes than have men

not suffering from AIDS; and female prostitutes show the

highest infection rate. The evidence suggests that, Africa

aside, although the majority of known AIDS cases are among

homosexuals and intravenous drug abusers, the incidence in the

general population is rising.

CONFIDENTIAL

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