The book addresses the challenges faced by Western sexual minority rights initiatives in Africa, highlighting the impact of political violence and contentious discussions surrounding anti-discrimination laws. It also examines the influence of government-endorsed anti-homosexual rhetoric on these rights programs, providing a critical perspective on the ongoing struggles for LGBTQ+ advocacy in a complex socio-political landscape.
This book critically examines the complex relationships between AIDS activism and HIV science, taking readers on a medical anthropological journey that emphasizes the perspectives of those most affected by the epidemic. Author Robert Lorway illustrates how, in the early days of the HIV epidemic, communities impacted by HIV and AIDS emerged as crucial players in prevention efforts due to inadequate government response. Over three decades later, however, HIV prevention and treatment have increasingly shifted to the control of clinical and epidemiological experts. This raises questions about the role of activism in fostering democratic collaborations among affected communities, scientists, and policymakers. The work draws on findings from community research projects in Canada, India, and Kenya over 22 years, integrating diverse data sources such as qualitative interviews, field notes, and archival documents. It addresses broader themes of global health policy, science, and transnational activism while emphasizing local experiences where activism and science intersect. Ultimately, Lorway critiques the expectation for affected communities to generate evidence for their advocacy and urges those involved in biomedically focused HIV research to engage more meaningfully with communities, promoting ethical decision-making and improved scientific practices.