Published March, 2015
Fact Sheet on Michael Johnson, The Center for HIV Law and Policy (March 2015)
Michael Johnson, a young gay Black man living with HIV was sentenced to 30½ years under Missouri’s antiquated HIV felony law. The Missouri law does not require any proof that Johnson intended to infect anyone, or whether he even thought he might infect someone, only that he knew he was HIV positive and cannot prove that he disclosed that fact when he had sex with another person.
Members of the medical and legal community have joined HIV activists in expressing outrage at the 30½ year sentence imposed on a Black Missouri college student and star wrestler following his conviction under the state law that makes it a felony for people diagnosed with HIV to have sexual contact without documenting they disclosed their HIV status. This factsheet was prepared by CHLP to support advocacy around Michael's case leading up to and during the trial.
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