On two occasions in 1989 the tensions between Coutinho, homosexuals and politics culminated in conflict. A clash with politics came when the Secretary of State for Health rejected a report on anonymous HIV testing. Coutinho, one of its authors, openly mocked the Secretary and he was brought to account. Although this was an unpleasant experience, Coutinho said he would do the same again (Coutinho 13 May 2008) . And so he did. Later that year he was appointed professor, and in his inaugural lecture he surprised friend and foe by again criticising the HIV/Aids communication policy of the NCAB. Members of the NCAB and of the gay community were outraged: how could someone like Coutinho threaten the societal position of homosexual men? Coutinho was forced to step down from the NCAB.