Partying to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS

Queer community gathers in Karachi to dance and create awareness about the looming threat of the deadly virus

KARACHI: Miles away from Karachi’s downtown neighbourhood, in an area surrounded by darkness and a calmness familiar to a rural setting, a group of youngsters gather to party, but for a different reason: to raise awareness about HIV/Aids.

They identify themselves as ‘different’ and embrace their sexual orientation, which is often not accepted by our society. They are queer and proud.

As the sun sets, these partygoers are liberated in their safe space, indifferent towards threats and discrimination that looms over sexual minorities in Pakistan.  It’s a sight to behold – reflecting a pluralistic and diverse society – one that is dangerous on many levels.

The queer community of Karachi during an event organised to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. PHOTO: FAWAD HASAN

PHOTO: FAWAD HASAN



Naz Pakistan, an organisation committed to serve the sexual minorities, funded the midnight event, held on December 4 to mark World Aids Day.

Organiser Kami Sid, who recently became the first transgender model to feature in a fashion shoot, said the night was dedicated to facing the stigma associated with Aids and talked about its precautions.

“People who are sexually attracted towards people of the same gender are more vulnerable to HIV and that’s where the awareness part comes in. We say party hard but beware of the virus,” said Kami, who is also executive director of Sub Rung Society, while speaking with  The Express Tribune.

Famous transgender model Kami Sid at the party which was held to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. PHOTO: FAWAD HASAN

About 34 million people are affected by Aids all over the world. In Pakistan, the number stands at 10,000. Experts argue that the actual figure is much greater than the this figure because of the government’s callous attitude towards gathering the exact statistics.

“The bleak situation can be understood by the fact that there is no testing point for HIV/Aids in Karachi, the commercial hub of Pakistan, let alone treatment centres where affected people can show up,” Siddique Wali, the director of Humraz Male Health Society, said.



Wali, who is a well-known activist for sexual minorities, believes people need to be better informed about using contraceptives, particularly condoms. Men who have sex with men (often known as MSMs) are most prone to getting the virus if they are not aware of its usage.

“Gay sex is comparatively dangerous in the sense that it can transmit the virus in case there is blood infusion with someone who has already contracted the virus. MSMs should be given ample knowledge about using condoms,” he added.

PHOTO: FAWAD HASAN

Transgender models and activists who gathered in Karachi to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS within their community. PHOTO: FAWAD HASAN

Shehzadi Rai, another transgender activist associated with Sub Rung Society, says the threat of HIV virus looms over transgender persons because they usually come in contact with the public for sex.

“There is a dire need of a number of projects to fight Aids because many transgender persons come to Karachi in search of sex work and they can contract the virus easily,” Rai said.

She believes the Sindh Aids Control programme has miserably failed to address the serious matter and the government needs to overhaul its strategy if it wants to stop the rising threat.