Homophobic and transphobic statements from a urologist-andrologist

In an interview titled “Why is the tendency towards homosexuality increasing among young people?” published last week on the Modern.az website, urologist-andrologist Gardashkhan Mamedov made a number of homophobic and transphobic claims. Despite speaking as a medical professional in the interview, the opinions he expressed were based on approaches that lacked scientific basis and reinforced stereotypes.

Mamedov claimed that the “tendency towards gayness and transsexuality” had allegedly increased among young people, and the reason for this was hormonal imbalance, chronic diseases, and the use of certain medications. He also presented the appearance of LGBTQ+s on social networks as “self-promotion” and “propaganda,” saying that this “trend promises bad things,” accusing them of “corrupting morality.”

However, the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from its list of diseases back in 1990. Transgenderness is also perceived not as a disease, but as a person’s self-expression and identity. There is no scientific evidence that hormonal changes or chronic diseases shape a person’s sexual orientation. Therefore, we, as Minority Azerbaijan, believe that the statements of Gardashkhan Mamedov are unacceptable from a medical and ethical point of view. Sexual orientation and gender identity are not diseases or “inclinations”, but are part of a person’s personality.

Such homophobic statements spread under the guise of experts reinforce discrimination and hatred in society and put the safety of LGBTQ+s at risk. The responsibility of media organizations is to give preference to materials based on scientific grounds and human rights, instead of spreading disinformation under the guise of expert opinion.

Both the medical community and media representatives must demonstrate a clear position against such false and dangerous statements. Any content that serves to legitimize hatred and discrimination against LGBTQ+s must be resolutely rejected.

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