California liberals are taking steps to decriminalize knowingly infecting someone with HIV. LGBT activists argue that the current laws are bigoted and outdated.
“HIV-related stigma is one of our main obstacles to reducing and ultimately eliminating infections,” state Sen. Scott Wiener said.
“When you criminalize HIV or stigmatize people who have HIV it encourages people not to get tested, to stay in the shadows, not to be open about their status, not to seek treatment.”
Right now HIV-positive people who have unprotected sex with informing their partners of their condition can be charged with a felony. Wiener and his ilk want to alter the system so those people are slapped with a simple misdemeanor instead.
It’s an idea that’s only popular among liberals.
“Current state law related to those living with HIV is unfair because it is based on the fear and ignorance of a bygone era,” a state lawmaker said.
“With this legislation, California takes an important step to update our laws to reflect the medical advances which no longer make a positive diagnosis equal to a death sentence.”
Being diagnosed with HIV isn’t a death sentence but it is a major life event. It’s not a minor disease. It can be managed by Western doctors but the treatment is both expensive and ongoing.
“These regimens have to be taken daily throughout a person’s life to help them live a normal lifespan,” the California Department of Public Health admits. “With the life expectancy for HIV patients increasing, the lifetime cost of treatment in today’s terms is estimated at more than a half-million dollars.”
People with HIV shouldn’t be ostracized. However, that doesn’t mean that society shouldn’t recognize that it’s a serious disease.
“While we have come a long way with AIDS, you still have to take drugs for the rest of your life. You still have to bear the burden of the costs of the health care,” Sen. Joel Anderson said.
“I get that this is the only disease that is treated that way, but I think any disease that you inflict on somebody against their will that permanently changes them should be a felony.”
(Source: Los Angeles Times)