The government of Tanzania apparently wants to stop gay sex, so it’s banning lube.
Tanzanian health officials have banned the import of sexual lubricants in a move to crack-down on anal sex, directly targeting the gay and bisexual male community.
Gay sexual relations are illegal in Tanzania with those found guilty handed life imprisonment sentences. However no arrests have been known to have been made in recent years.
According to News24.com, Health Minister for the East African country Ummy Mwalimu said,
“It is true that the government has banned the importation and use of the jelly to curb the spread of HIV,”
“It is estimated that 23 percent of men who have sex with men in Tanzania are living with HIV/AIDS,”
“I have instructed stakeholders working with gay people to remove the products from the market.”
Up until recently the gay and bisexual community were being handed out lube for free as part of a health campaign by advocacy and health groups working with the community. However the ministry now wants to use the money spent on lube “for beds for the maternity wards.”
It is recommended by healthcare professionals that lube always be used when having anal sex, regardless if the sex is being same-sex couples or opposite-sex couples.
Waterbased or silicon lubes are recommended with condom usage, one of the most effective ways of combatting HIV infections – as oil based lubricants such as Crisco or even cooking oil can break or weaken a condom.
