Gap in the arresting system of MSMs in Lebanon
I was attending a conference to present a pilot study to screen HIV among men who are having sex with men (MSM) in Lebanon last July. They had around 5 out of 225 who were living with HIV, and they showed the list of reasons why they do not use condoms and why MSM social gathering places do not offer condoms. Homosoexuality act is considered as a crime act in Lebanon, and the MSM social places are concerned to have several visits from the police if they consider distributing condoms at their place. One of the police officers, attending the conference, explained that the police is enforcing the law and they are trying to collaborate. I asked him if they screen MSMs at time of arrest and the answer was no, they only do it when they are sent to central prison in Beirut. MSMs are perceived as criminals but not their safety to be screened yet.