|
WINDY CITY TIMES
|
|
|
Iowa House passes HIV bill unanimously
From a press release
2014-05-01
|
|
This article shared 9469 times since Thu May 1, 2014
|
|
DES MOINES—After a series of negotiations, a historic bill passed through the Iowa House early this morning that will modernize Iowa's discriminatory HIV law. Iowa's current law, 709c, is based on outdated science and beliefs that actually discourages testing and disclosure because of severe penalties associated with simply knowing one's status. The new bill, Senate File 2297 ( SF2297 ), will change the law so that it is no longer HIV specific, and converts sentencing into a tiered system instead of the "one size fits all" approach used in 709c. The bill unanimously passed the Iowa Senate in February, and moved to the House for debate this morning. The bill, which also passed unanimously in House chambers, will now head to Governor Terry Branstad's desk for his signature.
The proposed changes to the law are supported by One Iowa, the state's leading lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ( LGBT ) organization, and by Community HIV/Hepatitis Advocates of Iowa Network ( CHAIN ), an organization that has spent the last 5 years trying to reform Iowa's HIV law. Iowa currently has one of the harshest laws in the nation that targets people living with HIV and AIDS.
"After 5 long years of fighting to change Iowa's law, those of us living in Iowa with HIV and AIDS can finally breathe a sigh of relief," said Tami Haught, Community Organizer with CHAIN. "We commend the leadership in the Senate and the House for understanding the importance of this bill and the need to modernize Iowa's draconian 709c law. None of this would be possible without the bipartisan support of Senators Matt McCoy, Steve Sodders, Charles Schneider and Rob Hogg; in addition to Representatives Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, Chris Hagenow and Chip Baltimore. The changes in this new bill are a step in the right direction.
"While the bill that passed today will have a lasting and positive effect on the lives of many Iowans who currently live with HIV and AIDS in our state, our work is far from over," Haught added. "We must continue our outreach and education within the public sphere about the realties of those living with HIV, to dispel the harmful stereotypes, stigma and misinformation often associated with the disease. Our hope is that by beginning to modernize the laws in Iowa, it will signal other states with similar legislation to do the same. HIV is not a crime; our laws here in Iowa and across the country need to reflect this fact."
"We are pleased to see Iowa's policy makers move this bill forward," said Donna Red Wing, Executive Director for One Iowa. "The changes proposed in this bill will have a profound impact on the lives of Iowans living with HIV and AIDS. This bill will send an important message across the nation, most significantly to those states that still operate under the misinformation of the past. We applaud CHAIN's efforts, but especially the work of Community Organizer Tami Haught. Tami has fearlessly and passionately shared her story with legislators and community members alike. She has changed hearts and minds, and should be commended as one of the many unsung heroes of this movement. After 5 years of conversations and perseverance, today we celebrate a victory for Iowa's HIV community."
Advocates who fought for the bill, including Community Organizer Tami Haught, will be available for comment later today after 1:00 pm.
|
|
|
|
This article shared 9469 times since Thu May 1, 2014
|
ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE |
---|
|
| | Hunter leads resolution declaring April 2024 as Minority Health Month 2024-04-18 --From a press release - SPRINGFIELD — To raise awareness about the importance of cardiovascular health, particularly among minority communities, State Senator Mattie Hunter passed a resolution declaring April 2024 as Minority Health Month in ...
|
| | Supreme Court allows Idaho ban on gender-affirming care for minors 2024-04-18 The U.S. Supreme Court has granted a request by Republican Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador to lift a lower court's temporary injunction preventing the state from enforcing its felony ban on gender-affirming care for minors, The ...
|
| | Howard Brown reaches tentative agreement with union after 1.5 years of contentious negotiations 2024-04-18 Howard Brown Health has reached a tentative agreement with its union, after a year and a half of negotiations that included two workers strikes. The Illinois Nurses Association, which represents about 360 employees at Howard Brown ...
|
| | SAVOR Vivent Health/TPAN leader talks about Dining Out for Life 2024-04-17 On Thursday, April 25, people can join the city's restaurant community for Dining Out For Life Chicago, an event ensuring people affected by HIV/AIDS can access essential services. We want to show up in the communities ...
|
| | First Queer and BIPOC-owned Illinois cannabis company opens Northalsted dispensary 2024-04-12 A small group gathered April 12 at 3340 N. Halsted St. to celebrate the grand opening of a historic new Northalsted business. SWAY, Illinois' first queer and BIPOC-owned cannabis company, marked the opening of its dispensary ...
|
| | David E. Munar reflects on Howard Brown leadership and new Columbus, Ohio post 2024-04-11 On April 1, David E. Munar started his tenure as CEO of the Columbus, Ohio-based non-profit health system Equitas. The date marked the latest chapter for Munar, who previously helmed AIDS Foundation Chicago and, most recently, ...
|
| | UK's NHS releases trans youth report; JK Rowling chimes in 2024-04-11 An independent report issued by the UK's National Health Service (NHS) declared that children seeking gender care are being let down, The Independent reported. The reportpublished on April 10 and led by pediatrician and former Royal ...
|
| | RUSH, others receive grant related to HIV prevention for Black women 2024-04-11 --From a press release - CHICAGO — RUSH, in collaboration with Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, University of Chicago Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago and Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL), has been awarded ...
|
| | LPAC, Arizona LGBTQ officials denounce Arizona Supreme Court ruling on abortion 2024-04-10 --From a press release - Washington, DC — Yesterday, in a decision that starkly undermines reproductive freedoms, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled to enforce a 160-year-old law that criminalizes abortion and penalizes healthcare providers who ...
|
| | For Deb Robertson, the end-of-life issue is very real 2024-04-07 For just about everyone, life is hard enough. However, talking about ending that life—especially when one is terminally ill—is just as difficult. Ten states have authorized medical aid in dying, although Illinois is not one of ...
|
| | KFF survey shows extent of LGBT-related discrimination 2024-04-07 KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling and journalism—released "LGBT Adults' Experiences with Discrimination and Health Care Disparities: Findings from the KFF Survey of Racism, Discrimination, and Health." This ...
|
| | NATIONAL mpox, Trans+ Day of Visibility, police items, Best Buy, Gentili's death 2024-04-05 The CDC has concluded that mpox cases are on the rise in the United States, increasing to almost double what they were at the same time last year, according to ABC News. There is a national year-to-date estimate of 511 cases ...
|
| | DoJ accuses Utah of bias against incarcerated trans woman 2024-04-03 The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) filed a lawsuit against the State of Utah, including the Utah Department of Corrections (UDOC), alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ...
|
| | How safe are we really? A look into Illinois' LGBTQ+ protections as hate rises nationwide 2024-04-02 Illinois has long been known to have some of the strongest LGBTQ+ legal protections in the country. Its first anti-discrimination laws go back several decades, and the state boasts a wide variety of protections of LGBTQ+ ...
|
| | Munar starts as head of Columbus LGBTQ+ health organization 2024-04-02 Former Howard Brown Health CEO and President David Munar will now head the Columbus, Ohio-based LGBTQ+ health provider Equitas. Munar began his new position as Equitas CEO on April 1, Columbus Dispatch reported. "I am honored ...
| |
|
|
|
|
| NATIONAL Trans woman killed, Tenn. law, S. Carolina coach, Evan Low, Idaho schools | | Through a queer lens: Photographer Paul Mpagi Sepuya discusses Chicago exhibition | | WORLD Ugandan law, Japan, Cass report, Tegan and Sara, Varadkar done | | Q FORCE launches 2024 election efforts in Chicago | | SHOWBIZ Jerrod Carmichael, '9-1-1' actor, Kayne the Lovechild, STARZ shows, Cynthia Erivo | |
|
|
|
|