Hillary Clinton: End The Criminalization Of HIV

[LebaneseDude 6,146]

Via HIV+ Magazine

Speaking via a pre-recorded video to attendees of the HIV is Not a Crime Training Academy, Hilary Clinton says if she wins the Presidential election, she will work to reform outdated, stigmatizing HIV criminalization laws. Clinton thanked attendees for their work, saying that efforts like HIV is Not a Crime “lift us all up.”

Saying we have “come a long way” since the early days of the AIDS epidemic, Clinton acknowledged, “We still have long way to go.” She spoke about how HIV disproportionately impacts “communities of color, transgender people, gay and bisexual men and young people, around the world.”

Following Clinton’s televised speech, a panel formed on stage consisting of people who have been prosecuted and parents of several men currently imprisoned under HIV criminalization laws. The most compelling was a young black man from Oklahoma who told of being arrested and charged with a felony for allegedly sneezing on someone. When placed into custody, he claims the police put a bag over his head, and — allegedly because he responded, “What the ****?” — he was charged with disorderly conduct.

Most of his charges have since been dropped, but he goes to court July 1st on the disorderly charge. Since being arrested, he said he has received death threats and has had to move several times. He told the audience that he had gone jogging for the first time in years without being worried he might be harassed.

His voice breaking, he added, “I appreciate you not looking at me like I’m dirty.”  

 

[LebaneseDude 6,146]

Madam President speaking up on important issues that go ignored very often because they disproportionately affect minorities.  

She backs it up with a history of efforts in combating HIV.

As First Lady, Clinton traveled the world to raise awareness on combating HIV and AIDS and assembled government officials and world leaders to increase funding for prevention and research efforts.

As Senator, Clinton introduced legislation to improve and expand global HIV and AIDS research, assistance, and education. She also co-sponsored the Early Treatment for HIV Act to extend Medicaid coverage to low-income people living with HIV.

As Secretary of State, Clinton began an ambitious campaign to usher in an AIDS-free generation. She oversaw a more than 200 percent increase in the number of people on antiretroviral treatment directly supported by the United States to reach over 6.7 million men, women, and children around the world.

Clinton has also emphasized HIV and AIDS in her philanthropic work. Almost 10 million people with HIV or AIDS around the world have benefited from more affordable medicine because of the Clinton Foundation. And since 2002, the Clinton Health Access Initiative has reduced the cost of HIV and AIDS medications in many countries from over $10,000 per person per year to just $100 to $200 per person per year.

[ALGAYDO 35,150]

I still can't believe some of these outright ridiculous laws. Like, you can go to prison for ****ing sneezing on someone  and not to mention the fact that HIV/AIDS meds skyrocketed for a while. Like, yikes... 

And it's true that we still have a LONG way to go, but ever little step in the right direction counts! It all adds up to big and better things 

She's more and more likeable by the day. And to think, just a year ago, I low key hated her 

[LebaneseDude 6,146]

6 minutes ago, NOT Marinara said:

I still can't believe some of these outright ridiculous laws. Like, you can go to prison for ****ing sneezing on someone  and not to mention the fact that HIV/AIDS meds skyrocketed for a while. Like, yikes... 

And it's true that we still have a LONG way to go, but ever little step in the right direction counts! It all adds up to big and better things 

She's more and more likeable by the day. And to think, just a year ago, I low key hated her 

You're one of GGD's success stories?

Glad my efforts have paid off.  

[PartySick 172,548]

13 minutes ago, NOT Marinara said:

She's more and more likeable by the day. And to think, just a year ago, I low key hated her 

@LebaneseDude, brainwashing the queens into being little Hill-Billies one by one

[ALGAYDO 35,150]

8 minutes ago, LebaneseDude said:

You're one of GGD's success stories?

Glad my efforts have paid off.  

I started switching my support from Bernie to Hilary before I began posting more frequently on here, but members like you sure did make the transition a lot easier 

Lets just celebrate her impending nomination 

[MJHolland 12,725]

I guess the sneezing thing should be done away with, but I sure like the transmission of HIV still being a crime. It's attempted murder to knowingly I've someone HIV. If you're having unprotected sex with someone you owe it to them to make sure you're not putting their life in danger. It's negligence. 

[LebaneseDude 6,146]

24 minutes ago, MJHolland said:

I guess the sneezing thing should be done away with, but I sure like the transmission of HIV still being a crime. It's attempted murder to knowingly I've someone HIV. If you're having unprotected sex with someone you owe it to them to make sure you're not putting their life in danger. It's negligence. 

Well yes if there's malevolent or dangerously negligent intent then it's a crime like any other regarding a transmitted disease. That's not on the agenda.

[LebaneseDude 6,146]

33 minutes ago, NOT Marinara said:

I started switching my support from Bernie to Hilary before I began posting more frequently on here, but members like you sure did make the transition a lot easier 

Lets just celebrate her impending nomination 

[LebaneseDude 6,146]

35 minutes ago, PartySick said:

@LebaneseDude, brainwashing the queens into being little Hill-Billies one by one

[Tokyo Rose 1,475]

Must be an easy choice to support Hillary when you don't even live in the country in question 

[MJHolland 12,725]

6 minutes ago, LebaneseDude said:

Well yes if there's malevolent or dangerously negligent intent then it's a crime like any other regarding a transmitted disease. That's not on the agenda.

In what other situation is HIV transmission criminalized though? One does not simply transmit HIV benevolently, lol...

pardon my ignorance but that is the only situation I know of where it's criminalized. The sneezing man in the OP's charges were dropped because that's not what HIV laws are about. 

[Redstreak 6,653]

5 minutes ago, Tokyo Rose said:

Must be an easy choice to support Hillary when you don't even live in the country in question 

 

Spoiler

I've had a theory recently that he's not genuinely a Clinton supporter, but likes to emphatically give her support simply because he knows its a springboard to engage in tons of arguments/debates

 

 

[LebaneseDude 6,146]

4 minutes ago, MJHolland said:

In what other situation is HIV transmission criminalized though? One does not simply transmit HIV benevolently, lol...

pardon my ignorance but that is the only situation I know of where it's criminalized. The sneezing man in the OP's charges were dropped because that's not what HIV laws are about. 

Well one can be aware of the risks (revealed beforehand) but still be able to sue you if HIV was contracted. That's one issue. 

Also negligence has a lot of grey area. At the moment HIV almost always loses cases unlike others which are dismissed or dropped.

There's a special kind of stigma associated with HIV despite it not being the worst disease out there anymore.

Clearly though, if someone was out there actively spreading HIV (these people exist) then they need to be prosecuted for intentionally infringing on public health.

[LebaneseDude 6,146]

14 minutes ago, Tokyo Rose said:

Must be an easy choice to support Hillary when you don't even live in the country in question 

Where'd you get off making that assumption?

I live in Boston.