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I find it both tragic and disturbing that HIV has been overly stigmatized due to ignorance and an obvious manipulation of fear by media outlets that should not only know better but are also required to be responsible in their reporting of the facts. This fixation to demonize a singular health condition isn't characterized only by injustice but also by extraordinary acceptance of rampant civil and human rights violations for which no recourse is available without risking even greater stigma !
Jerry, there is no evidence that criminalizing disease transmission helps in prevention efforts...but there is evidence that such prosecutions damage efforts to stop the spread and treating the infected. most such cases are serious miscarriages of justice. however, there is a criminal justice issue that is irreducible...we *ARE* our brothers' keepers. for more, please see my reply on poz.com's Facebook post on this story.
I was lied to when I asked specifically whether the other man "had anything to declare," then tested positive soon after. Had never had unsafe sex before that. He just didn't want to use a condom. To me, that seems like criminal behavior. Didn't have to be HIV, could've been any STI. If you ask someone if they have a knife, they tell you they don't, and then they stab you, who's fault is that? It's assault if the other person knows it and lies about it. The laws should cover ALL STIs.
MarthaCA1095
Thomas Guerra who everyone in San Diego knew as Ashton Chavez changed his plea the morning his trial was to begin to guilty. He was sentenced to the max sentence (CA only allows 6 months for this type of offense). I have no problem in this case with the criminalization of what he did as he was manipulating and lying to others. It's not like he went out and had sex and just didn't disclose it, he flat out lied and then bragged to friends about infecting others.
March 25, 2016