The Impact of Criminalizing HIV in People of Color feat. Kim Hunt

SheConfidential® Podcast

Having HIV is a crime in the United States.

Currently, 35 states have laws that allow felony prosecution for exposure to HIV, even if the exposure doesn’t result in the transmission of HIV.

People of color make up 25% of the US population and over 50% of people diagnosed with HIV. This means that people of color are also the ones most impacted by laws criminalizing HIV.

Unfortunately, most people know nothing about these laws. This results in confusion, increased discrimination and bias against those living with HIV.

As we’ve often heard, knowledge is power.

And today’s episode is a start towards increasing awareness of this issue. This episode featuring Kim Hunt, Executive Director of the Pride Action Tank, is packed with information about the movement to decriminalize HIV and remove the stigma associated with this public health crisis.

In addition, Kim Hunt explains:

• What it means to decriminalize laws related to HIV and AIDS.
• Passage of the Illinois law (House Bill 1063) decriminalizing HIV and AIDS.
• Ways criminalizing HIV undermines public health.
• Benefits of PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis).
• The problem with public health matters like HIV falling under the criminal law umbrella.

CONTENT WARNINGS
None
GUEST
Kim Hunt
Executive Director, Pride Action Tank
- https://prideactiontank.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrideActionTank/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/prideactiontank

RESOURCES

• AIDS Foundation Chicago https://www.aidschicago.org/
• Centers for Disease Control Information Page for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prep.html
• Find Your U.S. Representative https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
• Find Your U.S. Senators https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
• House Bill 1063 https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1063&GAID=16&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=110&GA=102
• Positive Women’s Network https://www.pwn-usa.org/
• Pride Action Tank https://prideactiontank.org/
• The Sero Project https://www.seroproject.com/

REVIEW AND SUBSCRIBE
Please rate, review, and follow the "SheConfidential Podcast" on Apple Podcasts. Your review helps others discover these resourceful conversations. Tap to rate with five stars. Then select “Write a Review" and let us know how this encouraged, enlightened, or entertained you. Also, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to follow the podcast so you don't miss new episodes!

CONNECT WITH US
https://sheconfidential.com/
Follow @she.confidential on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Episode artwork and video production by Eye AM Media https://www.eyeammedia.com/. Follow on Instagram @eyeammedia