HIV decriminalization advocates will hold an inaugural Advocacy Day on November 17 at the Ohio Statehouse to put legislative pressure on lawmakers to modernize state laws that unnecessarily target and punish people living with HIV.
Ohio has six laws that criminalize certain acts – including sex – for people living with HIV, or that substantially increase sentences for them compared to people who do not have the virus. These laws impose stiff penalties – regardless of whether the virus is or can be transmitted, and even in some cases where transmission is not scientifically possible. In some situations, the law also requires sex offender registration.
Many states have taken steps to modernize their HIV laws…