The Head of the Federal AIDS Prevention Centre, prof. Vadim Pokrovsky has expressed his bewilderment about Yury Luzhkov's statement that "gays are the main source of HIV infection" and "Moscow's authorities' decision to fight gay propaganda".
"Due to the preventive measures and information activities about HIV/AIDS among Russian LGBT community since 1980's, less than 5% of Moscow gays are HIV infected. Many European capitals wish to be in Moscow's place on that indicator because there more than 20% of European gays and lesbians are HIV positive", said Prof.Pokrovsky in an interview for "Vremya novostey" (News hour).
Mr.Pokrovsky was also "very much surprised" by Luzhkov's words that "condoms did not prevent HIV infection and due to this fact it's commercials should be banned". "One can not say that condoms are useless. One should know that the risk of being infected during accident sex with HIV infected person is not higher that 1%. And using condoms helps to avoid infection in 300 times more", noted the Head of the Federal AIDS Prevention Centre.
Translated by Yerdna Bananes