Chicago Volunteer Doulas: Black Maternal Health Week

CHLP Public Health and Advocacy Strategist Kytara Epps will present a talk on HIV awareness as part of Chicago Volunteer Doulas' Black Maternal Health Week. The talk, HIV Criminalization and Motherhood, will be virtually hosted by Kytara and Lakeesha Harris. This discussion will explore the intersection of reproductive justice, public health policy, and bodily autonomy—highlighting how HIV criminalization impacts Black families and birthing people. 

Participants will gain insight into:

-- The current landscape of HIV criminalization
-- Connections between HIV policy, maternal health, and reproductive justice
-- The real-life implications for Black communities
-- The role of birthworkers and advocates in this moment

This is a virtual community conversation open to birthworkers, advocates, and supporters who want to better understand what’s happening—and why it matters.

“What we are seeing in this current moment is a mass attack on bodily autonomy and reproductive choice. The attacks on trans healthcare, abortion, and maternal health are connected to HIV criminalization. The choices we make regarding our health and our bodies are rapidly being criminalized. Whether it's mothers being forced into undergoing c-sections, folks seeking abortion being charged with murder, or a person living with HIV being charged with a felony for their spit...Everyone suffers when we let the state criminalize our bodies and our choices.” 
-- Kytara Epps