Several Washington, DC, council members are opposing a motion to require HIV tests for people applying for marriage licenses, the Washington Post reports (washingtonpost.com, 5/29). The council members also recommend that the currently required pre-license syphilis tests be dropped.
In December, a group of council members proposed the Safe Marriage Amendment Act, which would add the HIV testing. However, according to the Post, most American states have eliminated such rules; only two states check the blood of marriage-license applicants: Montana, which tests for rubella, and Mississippi, which tests for syphilis.
NEW! Scroll down to comment on this story.
Please click OK to confirm your comment and confirm you accept our posting rules. Note your message will be reviewed by our staff before going live.
Michael, Haslett, 2008-08-05 11:10:58
I think this should happen in all states and all countries. When applying for a marriage license along with other blood work that is required in most states, a HIV test should also be included. We must find ways to make sure that everyone gets tested in order to help stop the spread of the diease by those who are not aware they have it.
ebonny, ENGLAND, 2008-07-31 05:46:57
people themseives have choices wheather to discuse about their past as most of them just engange into sex without knowing each other well, by lincesing HIV test it wont make any different, the only motto is to be honest to each other without even junping into bed for big''S''
Anthony, Los Angeles, 2008-07-13 14:57:44
Education = Empowerment! All people should be tested for HIV.
SEXYSAM, HAMPTON ROADS, 2008-07-04 11:28:24
TO HAVE THE TEST IS TO KNOW WHERE YOU STAND NOT JUST FOR SELF BUT ALSO FOR THE PERSON YOU ARE COMMITTING TO TIL DEATH DO YOU PART. A CONVERSATION OR MANY SHOULD HAVE TAKEN PLACE TO DISCUSS SEXUAL HISTORY PRIOR TO ANY CEREMONY & IF YOU CAN'T BE HONEST WITH THAT PERSON IN THE BEGINNING WHAT WILL MAKE YOU DO SO LATER. AND THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD HAVE NO SAY IN WHETHER MARRIAGE TAKES PLACE AFTER THE TESTING IS DONE. LOVE HATH NO COLOR OR STIGMAS ATTACHED. CIAO
cotton1972, boston,MA, 2008-07-01 23:22:04
Is very simple judge people. Before you judge someone, make sure about yourself. HIV/AIDS can be treated, like other diseases, So, let the mankind be happy
Edith Lang, Dallas, 2008-06-30 14:23:34
I am in total aggreance with HIV testing before marriage. I was married in 1997 and a year later I found out that my ex-husband had been knowingly positive for 14 years. Had this Act been in affect then it would have saved me a lot of emotional grief. I believe that it will also cut down on some of the numbers that are coming in the way I did.
Again yes I am in aggreance with the Act.
Ibrahim, Nigeria, 2008-06-30 02:11:10
This sting of HIV/AIDs is eating deep into humanity. I love sex and i have had unprotected sex with some ladies. I do fall sick frequently, but am afraid of going for a test. What if am positive? Is that a death sentence? What about my loved family and my dreams? Without those two things in my mind, i can give it up anytime. It's better not to start having sex, becuase it's a race you must finish!!
Jat, Washington DC, 2008-06-17 10:51:35
How can some people get to the point of wanting to get married - not ever having questioned each other's sexual background? I mean, come on, its 2008! That should be one of the first questions before you have sex for the first time or even plan on taking it to the level of dating! We need to stress the importance of partner testing.
Debbie, , 2008-06-16 06:13:53
"According to the CDC, it is estimated that a quarter of all people with HIV in the U.S. do not know they are carrying the virus." This is a simple requirement so that two people can both make educated decisions! Some people may know they're HIV positive yet choose not to be honest. And some people may not even know they're HIV positive. This is definitely a case for public education and safety! Great idea - I'm in support!
Ed, new york city, 2008-06-10 16:49:00
I am in agreement with the fact that people should get tested before marriage gay or straight. I met a cop who had been positive for 5 years and never told me. Even though we had protected sex a few months after us meeting I told him that I was not feeling well. He stated I should get a hiv test. When I asked him why he told me the condom broke and he was afraid to tell me because i would leave him. I tested positive and feel that had I been told i would have chosen to be negative.
Vanessa, , 2008-06-10 14:56:41
If two people are getting married and have not discussed their HIV status before deciding to walk down the aisle, then they should relly reconsider getting marreid. But in terms of the law getting involved, What will they do if a person test positive? Will they not allow them to get marreid?
This is ridicilous!!!
Maya, , 2008-06-04 22:11:49
What about those who are recently infected and not showing antibodies yet?What will they do with all those who become positive?not let them get married?Leave them to fend for themselves?While I do think the thought is in the right place,I guarantee you it won't be in place for long due to the many new cases it will reveal and the lack of resources to take care of all those new cases.
mike, brooklyn, 2008-06-04 17:43:25
Aain the adage, the road to hell is paved with good intentions... This rule would only work if the two people wanting to get married has not had sex, nor used needles....How many couples wait until marriage before having sex even with each other????
Mike, Jackson, MS, 2008-06-04 17:09:39
Not only do I support testing before marriage, I also believe HIV testing should be a regular part of physical exams, or any other medical procedure. This disease needs to be attacked at its core, the spread from one person to another. I believe in the inherent good within people, that with the knowledge of HIV status, and with a proper support system, will change sexual behavioral patterns by making more informed choices.
KP, Philadelphia, 2008-06-04 12:24:50
I have been HIV+ for over a decade. I understand the fears of discrimination and stigmatization because I have felt them, and been a victim of them. However, I believe that the need to stop the spread of HIV and STIs is great enough to warrant mandatory testing for marriage licenses. Knowledge empowers; people committing themselves to life-long partnership are obliged to share medical information that could affect them directly. People infected need to know their status so they can get treatment
Beth Benne, RN, is HIV negative, but
the virus has impacted her life. She currently supervises a biannual HIV/AIDS awareness week as
the director of the student health center at Pierce College, a
community commuter school in Woodland Hills, California.
Woman of the Month is supported by exclusive advertising from Gilead.
Overheard in the Women's Forum
"I recently met a guy who is negative. I did tell him about my status and he decided to kiss me anyway (we didn't go further than that). But a day later, he called and said that he actually had a mouth ulcer that time when we kissed and he was very worried. Asked if he can get the virus from me that way. For that moment, I felt so insulted and yet I felt so bad. It was my first time having a contact with a "negative" guy."
