February 28
February 28 is HIV is Not a Crime Awareness Day, which was first observed in 2022 by the Sero ProjectExit Disclaimer in collaboration with the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS FoundationExit Disclaimer. This awareness day is an opportunity to amplify the voices of those who have been criminalized based on their HIV status.
Living with HIV is not a crime, but in more than 30 U.S. states, people are being imprisoned due to their HIV status. HIV criminalization laws consist of using a person’s positive HIV status in a criminal prosecution, increasing charges or punishments because the person has HIV.
Be prepared with the Sero Project’s HIV is Not a Crime Awareness Day toolkit and the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation’s social media toolkit for suggested best practices, social media templates, and more.
- The Sero Project’s toolkit in EnglishExit Disclaimer and SpanishExit Disclaimer
- The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation’s social media toolkitExit Disclaimer
Watch Harold Phillips, former Director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy, in his video conversation with HIV.gov, filmed in April 2022, as he discusses the National HIV/AIDS Strategy’s call to modernize or repeal outdated HIV-specific criminal exposure laws:
Watch this 2019 video from the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD)Exit Disclaimer ‘Stigma Series’ regarding the modernization of HIV laws and policies in North Carolina:
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Find HIV Testing and Other Services
Use the HIV Testing Sites & Care Services Locator.
The Locator now includes PrEP and STI services and is more user-friendly. Read about how the new Locator can help you serve your community.
Visit https://gettested.cdc.gov/.
Use This Toolkit
Visit HIV Justice WorldwideExit Disclaimer to access their toolkit on HIV criminalization.
Use Federal Resources
Learn more about HIV Criminalization and Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. from CDC.
Read about the Office of National AIDS Policy’s (ONAP) Listening Session on HIV Criminalization.
Learn About the Epidemic
Learn the HIV Basics. Know the facts, take care of yourself.
Find more information on civil rights for people with HIV and AIDS.