HIV Criminalization Has Gone Too Far

HIV criminalization has become a global human rights issue because it contributes to stigma and discrimination, according to a syndicated June 10, 2013 article by Susan Abram appearing in the Huffington Post, Los Angeles Daily News, The Sun of San Bernardino County, CA, and Whittier Daily News of Los Angeles County, CA.  Reporting on a porn actor's conviction for working with syphilis, and the criminalization of STDs, the article notes that The Center for HIV Law and Policy has documented and monitored 164 instances of HIV criminalization from 2008 to 2013. To encourage states to amend or repeal criminal laws that single out HIV-affected individuals, U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) recently introduced the REPEAL HIV Discrimination Act in Congress.  HIV criminalization laws are based on bias, not science, and breed stigma, fear, discrimination, distrust, and hatred.

The full article is available at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/11/std-lawsuits_n_3421288.html