A coalition of advocates will hold the first national HIV Is Not a Crime conference June 2 to 5, according to a coalition statement. The gathering at Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa, will train advocates from across the country living with HIV and allies on how to end the criminalization of people with HIV. The workshops and practical trainings will cover state advocacy, grassroots organizing and activism, as well as the related legal, medical, media and public health issues.

The coalition is still in formation, but initial supporters include: AIDS Foundation of Chicago / HIV Prevention Justice Alliance, American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, Black AIDS Institute, Community HIV/Hepatitis Advocates of Iowa Network, Family Planning Council of Iowa, Gay Men’s Health Crisis, Global Network of People Living with HIV North America, HIV Justice Network, Housing Works, Lambda Legal, Louisiana AIDS Advocacy Network, My Fabulous Disease, One Iowa, National Center for Lesbian Rights, National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, National Minority AIDS Council, Positive Iowans Taking Charge, Positive Women’s Network-USA, Sero Project, Sociologist AIDS Network, The Project of Primary Health Care, and U.S. People Living with HIV Caucus.

Registration for the conference is now open. Scholarships to attend are available, but applications must be submitted by April 7. Go to HIVIsNotACrime.com for more information.