Ethiopia: Gay Conference in Addis Ababa on Dec. 3

A Gay Conference has been organized at Addis Ababa`s Jupiter International Hotel on Dec 3 to discuss men having sex with men (MSM) issues.

Organized by African Men for Sexual Health and Rights (Amsher), the meeting seeks to increase attention on MSM and HIV related issues in Africa, to reflect on the state of the response in MSM communities in Africa and to identify ways to scale up MSM and HIV interventions.

The speakers at the conference will discuss health and human rights issues, including criminalization of same-sex practices, facing the gay community.

Ethiopia`s criminal law strictly prohibits homosexuality. Religious leaders and government authorities in Ethiopia are seeking a ban on the conference.

Homosexuality is illegal in about 80 countries throughout the world and nine countries prescribe death as a punishment.