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In the News

Gay Africans share a bond at AIDS conference

In many African countries, being gay often means being subject to shunning, stigma and persecution. The XIX International AIDS Conference offered gay Africans an opportunity to celebrate their sexuality openly.

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July 25, 2012

Teah Wright, 31, left, of Liberia and Michael Ighodaro, 25, of Nigeria, are gay rights activists who attended the XIX International AIDS Conference. With D.C. as the backdrop, the men got to experience an openness about their sexual orientation that they rarely get to experience, particularly with fellow gay Africans, who have faced shunning, stigma and persecution back home. Shortly after meeting Ighodaro and Usaam Mukwaya, a 28-year-old Ugandan, Wright declared, “Friends, these are the best days of our lives.”

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

Mikiki of AIDS Action Now smokes a cigarette outside Remingtons on Capitol Hill, where a “No Pants, No Problem” party was the talk of the conference.

July 25, 2012

Mikiki of AIDS Action Now smokes a cigarette outside Remingtons on Capitol Hill, where a “No Pants, No Problem” party was the talk of the conference.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

International AIDS Conference attendees dance at Remingtons “No Pants, No Problem” party on Capitol Hill.

July 25, 2012

International AIDS Conference attendees dance at Remingtons “No Pants, No Problem” party on Capitol Hill.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

Michael Ighodaro was among the gay activists who experienced D.C.’s nightlife scene during the week of the XIX International AIDS Conference. In Liberia, where Ighodaro is from, the 31-year-old is working to organize against a law that could make same-sex marriage a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

July 25, 2012

Michael Ighodaro was among the gay activists who experienced D.C.’s nightlife scene during the week of the XIX International AIDS Conference. In Liberia, where Ighodaro is from, the 31-year-old is working to organize against a law that could make same-sex marriage a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

Michael Ighodaro, left, talks to Marsel Kuzyakov of the Global Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS, who is Russian but lives and works in the Netherlands, outside the Long View Gallery, where both men attended an event that was part of the XIX International AIDS Conference.

July 25, 2012

Michael Ighodaro, left, talks to Marsel Kuzyakov of the Global Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS, who is Russian but lives and works in the Netherlands, outside the Long View Gallery, where both men attended an event that was part of the XIX International AIDS Conference.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

Michael Ighodaro, right, talks to Ryan Ubuntu Olson at the Long View Gallery, where they were attending an event that was part of the XIX International AIDS Conference.

July 25, 2012

Michael Ighodaro, right, talks to Ryan Ubuntu Olson at the Long View Gallery, where they were attending an event that was part of the XIX International AIDS Conference.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

Gay activists from different parts of Africa gather outside Long View Gallery, where they attended an event that was part of the XIX International AIDS Conference.

July 25, 2012

Gay activists from different parts of Africa gather outside Long View Gallery, where they attended an event that was part of the XIX International AIDS Conference.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

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