MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine health chief is under attack for suggesting at an AIDS conference that health workers survey homes of gay children and warn their parents about potentially risky behavior.
Health Secretary Enrique Ona said that “parents should rein in their homosexual children and get them tested.” He made the remark in a speech at a conference last weekend while discussing options for voluntary testing for young people who are most at risk of HIV/AIDS.
The Philippines Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender advocacy group called for Ona’s resignation earlier this week. Ona’s office did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
Government spokeswoman Abigail Valte said “we do not support any discrimination” but did not comment on the resignation call.
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