New Corona Problem LGBT people's anxiety and worries spread

New Corona Problem LGBT People's Anxiety and Worries Spread May 17 19:26

A meeting was held online on the afternoon of the 17th to share the anxiety and worries felt by people with sexual minorities called “LGBT” due to the spread of new coronavirus infection and to think of a solution.

The meeting was attended by members of the sexual minority support group and medical personnel from all over the country who supported the group, and the situation was broadcast live on the Internet.

At the meeting, the group first reported the results of a questionnaire survey last month, asking people with sexual minorities and their related people about their concerns and worries about the spread of the infection.

Among them, about 40% reported that their partners may not be treated the same as their families when they undergo a PCR test or when they are hospitalized. Advice that the same-sex partner may be treated in the same way as a family member if the infected person shows his / her intention, and that it is necessary to prepare a card etc. so that the intention can be confirmed even if the person loses consciousness. was doing.

In addition, regarding the fear that the next most common cause, such as sexual orientation and the existence of partners, which had not been publicized until now due to infection, may be known to family members, workplaces, etc. Human rights and privacy are not adequately protected in investigator investigations and information disclosure, "he said, calling on the government to consider the country so that it does not promote discrimination or prejudice against sexual minorities.

Makiko Terahara, Managing Director of the "Marriage for All Japan," who organized the meeting, said, "In an emergency, minorities and vulnerable people will be forced into a more difficult position. Human rights issues cannot be postponed, so they cannot be left behind. I want to raise my voice. "

There is a possibility that individual may be identified by announcement of investigation information such as infection route

When a person infected with the new coronavirus is confirmed, the public health center knows the behavior history before and after the onset, the name of the person who came into contact with the person, the place where the person came into contact with the situation at that time, etc. To investigate.

Such information must be promulgated by newspapers, broadcasts, the Internet, or other appropriate methods regarding the information necessary for infection prevention and treatment, while paying attention to the protection of personal information under the Infectious Disease Law. It has been announced at press conferences, etc. at the discretion of the local government.

However, in some cases, this has led to attempts to identify infected persons and spread slander on the Internet.

In addition, on the 5th of this month, there will be a problem that the personal information such as the hospitalization address of all 495 infected people in the prefecture is mistakenly posted on the homepage of Aichi prefecture, which contains the infection status of the new coronavirus. did.

In this case, it was revealed that the name of the infected person and the information about the hospital where he / she was hospitalized as well as information showing the relationship between the infected persons such as the workplace were leaked, and complaints from infected persons and related persons were revealed. It was one after another.

"Secret" I'm worried that it will be transmitted to my workplace and family

People with a sexual minority called “LGBT” have become more aware of their sexual orientation and the existence of their partners, which had not been revealed until now, due to the infection. I am.

Nobuhisa Miura of Fukuoka Prefecture has announced that he is gay, but the partner he lives with does not reveal his sexual orientation to his family or work.

Mr. Miura said, `` When infected, there is a situation that we have to tell us everything we had hidden so far, so it will be a great stress and the information will be transmitted to the workplace and family, after that. I'm worried that prejudice and discrimination in the workplace may occur. "

After that, “I am especially worried when I hear about the case in Aichi Prefecture. It is not a word, but I do not know how to convey the infection route and who it will be transmitted to. The truth is, the truth is that you can't really tell the truth when information is leaked and it can be seen on the internet, but don't come out and tell yourself. If not, I can protect myself, but this time I will be out of the list of rich contacts, so I can't protect my partner. Either way, I have to make painful choices. "

He added, "As a matter of fact, there are still many discriminations and prejudices against LGBT, so it is clear that privacy will be protected and information will never leak outside when understanding the transmission route of the new coronavirus. I think getting collateral will be very important. "