Our hearts go out to the victims of this data leak who now face the prospect of further stigmatisation and discrimination, thanks to the irrational fear and ignorance surrounding HIV and People Living with HIV (PLHIV).
In Singapore today, PLHIV experience:
(1) No protection by the law from discrimination at the workplace based on their HIV status, sexual orientation or gender identity.
(2) A lack of access to LGBTQ-friendly societies for support due to government regulations that prohibit the forming of such societies.
(3) Classification as prohibited immigrants by the Immigration Act which denies otherwise skilled and talented individuals an opportunity to contribute to the local economy. Deportation of these PLHIV upends careers and relationships and is unnecessarily cruel.
(4) Discrimination from the local insurance industry that denies them policies, despite advances in medication that has enabled them to live long, healthy lives.
Pink Dot SG strongly condemns any attempt to perpetuate, or take advantage of the discriminatory environment our PLHIV live in. We believe that it is only through education of the misinformed that we can better support those whose names have been exposed by this data leak.
We call on the Government to take moral and political responsibility by acknowledging what HIV-positive individuals have to endure in our country, and take concrete action to enact anti-discrimination legislation to support PLHIV. This would reduce harm done to those whose names have been exposed.
We also call on all Singaporeans to deny power to this vicious act by standing publicly in solidarity with our HIV-positive friends and family. Let us not be complicit in this act of hate.
Resources
If you received a threat, be calm, take down the number and notify Ministry of Health at 63259220. That will trigger an investigation and the police will be notified.
If you or your friend is suicidal, please call the Samaritans of Singapore at 1800 221 4444.
Or you can call:
Oogachaga Counselling Services
Hotline counselling 6226 2002
Whatsapp counselling 8592 0609
If you are a Malaysian and based in Malaysia, please reach out to PT Foundation, Monday thru Friday, from 7:30pm – 9:30pm, at (03) 4044-5455 or (03) 4044-5466.
All calls are anonymous and confidential.
If you need to speak to someone or need to call MOH please text AfA Singapore at m.me/afa.singapore
Alternatively, please reach out to your social workers, they are on standby to provide any support needed.
