Geneva - The United Nations task force on HIV/AIDS welcomed a decision Thursday by India to legalize gay sex, saying it would improve health conditions and help fight the virus. "The Delhi High Court has restored the dignity and human rights of millions of men who have sex with men and transgendered people in India," UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe said.
The now annulled law drove "people underground making it much harder to reach them with HIV prevention, treatment and care services," Sidibe said in a statement.
UNAIDS was looking forward to working with the Indian government on health issues, he added.
More than 80 countries still have legislation that prohibits same- sex behaviour, the UN reported. Sidibe said that the Indian decision "sends a positive message to countries where such laws still exist."
