Thursday, December 3, 2015

It's Time to End Bad HIV Laws!

By: Brandon M. Macsata, CEO, ADAP Advocacy Association

The ADAP Advocacy Association applauds the efforts of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) to combat HIV-related criminalization laws with the launch of their new national public education campaign, "It's Time to End Bad HIV Laws!" A new microsite, http://www.endbadhivlaws.org, is headlined by an informative and passionate video showcasing Marvell Terry II. Terry makes the compelling case against these outdated and unfair laws targeting people simply for their HIV status.

The HRC national public education campaign was launched in partnership with the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and the Center for HIV Law and Policy (CHLP). Whereas the video addresses the 30 states with outdated HIV-related criminalization laws, its messages applies to the stigma experienced by people living with HIV/AIDS nationwide.

Screenshot of the HRC video, showing 30 hashmarks to indicate the number of states with HIV-related criminalization laws.
It's Time to End Bad HIV Laws
On YouTube, there have been nearly 30,000 views in just a few short days. To watch the video on YouTube, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48Sf39k0_xo.

The Human Rights Campaign's Senior Specialist for HIV Prevention & Health Equity, Noël Gordon summarized: "We are closer than we've ever been to turning the page on the domestic HIV & AIDS epidemic. But HIV criminalization laws continue to undermine that progress, especially among LGBTQ communities of color. HRC launched this campaign - in collaboration with the Center for HIV Law & Policy and the National Center for Lesbian Rights - to shine a spotlight on these outdated laws and to build public support for addressing them once and for all."

HRC is encouraging people to raise awareness about these bad laws by Tweeting using hashtag #EndBadHIVLaws!

Tweet: Check out this new anti-HIV criminalization video by @HRC - It's Time to End Bad HIV Laws!

HIV-related criminalization laws indirectly impact the delivery of supports and services under the AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs), as well as all other programs designed to help people living with HIV/AIDS. These bad laws undermine ADAPs and the successful treatment options afforded to patients, which have resulted in better health outcomes, fewer new infections, and lower community viral load rates across the country.

Together, let's help the HRC end bad HIV laws!

CLICK HERE to read "Personal Perspective: Impact of HIV Criminalization," a 2013 blog by Robert Suttle, Assistant Director at the SERO Project and ADAP Advocacy Association board member.


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