Men who have sex with men have been particularly affected by the AIDS epidemic.  Across the European Union a multi-country survey found that in 2010 around 8% of men who have sex with men were reported to be living with HIV. In 2012, France reported the highest HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men at around 18%, followed by Spain, Greece, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and Portugal, all with rates well above 10%. The dual stigma and discrimination which continues to surround HIV and homosexuality is one of the barriers preventing people from accessing lifesaving HIV services.

On 6 November leading European policy makers, experts, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) human rights activists and HIV organizations came together in Brussels to highlight the severe impact of HIV for LGBTI communities in Europe. At the European Parliament hearing “Achieving the right to health of LGBTI people – How can we reverse the crisis of HIV, health and human rights affecting LGBTI people in Europe” the participants discussed ways forward to strengthen rights of people affected by HIV in compliance with the EU Charter on Fundamental Rights.

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