Sex asylum man dies of Aids

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - A Mexican who became the first person granted US asylum because of his sexual orientation has died of complications from Aids.

Ariel da Silva, 36, had said he feared persecution in Mexico because he was a homosexual. His case led the US Attorney-General, Janet Reno, to state that persecution based on sexual orientation is grounds for political asylum.

Da Silva died last week, five months after an immigration officer ruled in his favour, said his attorney, Marc Van der Hout. He had been working on Aids education projects in San Francisco since 1987.