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NORWEGIAN HOMOPHOBIA 1 in 5 Norwegians thinks homosexual sex between men should be recriminalised, according to a poll recently taken by the Health Directorate in Oslo. According to the Oslo monthly, Fritt Fram, this figure is a sharp increase on the results of a similar poll taken in 1984, when no more than 2% of the Norwegian population thought recriminalisation was the proper course.The result of the poll will be discussed by the nationwide gay and lesbian organisation, DNF '48 when it meets shortly with the Health Directorate. Commenting on the figures DNF '48 Chairman Kjell Erik Oie, said the results had given him a shock but felt it was impossible to compare the figures with the '84 poll, a negative influence on answers". Oie was also of the opinion that the poll results indicate the tasks of the Norwegian lesbian and gay movement over the next few years, and stressed the need for human and financial resources in counteracting the trend.The DNF '48 Chairman was quick to point out the strong support of the Norwegian Health Authorities in the common fight against AIDS, and denied accusations that the Health Authorities should be held responsible for the shift in public opinion: "The situation would have been tenfold worse if not for the binding spirit between the Health Authorities and the gay movement".

UNBELIEVABLE BUT TRUE According to the 'British Medical Journal', the British general doctor shows little concern when it comes to AIDS. A study which was carried out in 3 different regions shows that very few are prepared to inform the public; 16% among them think that making homosexuality a criminal offence is an efficient way to check the epidemic. The general practitioners questioned are not even sure about the way the virus is being transmitted; some speak of tears, of saliva or insects as transmitters! Others are in favour of compulsory testing. According to a recent issue of "Gai Pied", Paris, 76% of the members of the French medical profession remain opposed to the compulsory tracking down of the HIV virus. Yet, according to a survey carried out among them by Sofres, AIDS takes only 4th place in their concern about health (after heart related illnesses, cancer and alcoholism). For the majority among them (79%), "priority should be given to development of means to prevent AIDS", while 48% held that it was "necessary to encourage medical research into AIDS".

VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE According to Der Spiegel more than 300 gays have been murdered in Brazil during the last three years. It would appear that many of these murders are not investigated by the police and investigation is often not requested by relatives of the victims. Brazilian society is in general hostile towards homosexuals: for example, the chief justice of the state of Pernambuco announced last year that homosexuals would not be accepted for official jobs within the judiciary. Victims of violence often fail to report events to the police as in cases involving homosexuals it is the practice to pass on to the press all details, including the name and photograph of the victim.