HIV

Carrie Foote, who leads HIV Modernization Movement-Indiana, said HIV criminalization laws lead to stigma that acts as a barrier to testing and care. And that gets in the way of preventing new transmissions and optimizing wellness for people living with HIV.

HIV advocates, organizations talk legislative solutions at first advocacy summit

Patrick Beane

There are six laws that criminalize HIV in Indiana — which include both public health and criminal codes.

Hoosier HIV anti-donation law used 18 times since 2000, report says

It led to more convictions than in five other studied states.

Carrie Foote leads Indiana's HIV Modernization Movement. She was diagnosed with HIV in 1988.

Legislation to modernize Indiana's HIV laws clears House committee

Brandon Smith

Other parts of the bill completely eliminate criminal penalties for donating blood or semen when you know you have HIV.

Jerome Adams also teaches at the IU School of Medicine and was appointed as a Presidential Fellow at Purdue University.

Former surgeon general visits Kelley as Poling Chair

Ethan Sandweiss

Adams served as surgeon general under President Trump and led the Indiana State Department of Health’s responses to Ebola, Zika, and HIV.

Advocates say reforming HIV laws will help destigmatize disease, improve public health

Brandon Smith

Because many of Indiana’s laws only increase penalties when someone knows they have HIV, people won’t get tested just to avoid legal issues.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced a settlement this week with a central Indiana furniture store for failing to rehire a soldier upon return from duty.

Clarksville denies it violated civil rights statutes by rejecting police candidate with HIV

Sara Wittmeyer

An attorney for the Town of Clarksville is denying allegations that it revoked a job offer to a prospective police officer because of his HIV diagnosis.

Indiana town sued by government, didn’t hire man with HIV

Associated Press

The federal government is accusing a southern Indiana town of discriminating against a man with HIV who applied to become a police officer.

The Damien Center will use the $2 million grant from the U.S. Center for Disease Control to create a program that aims to reduce new infections, increase access to care and promote health equity for young transgender persons of color ages 13-34.

Damien Center awarded $2M to prevent HIV in young transgender people of color

Mitch Legan

The majority of new HIV infections among transgender people are among Black people, according to data from the CDC.

The exchange has been called the country’s gold standard, and is credited with getting the outbreak under control.

Scott County to be without needle exchange program for first time in 6 years

Mitch Legan

Six years ago, Scott County became the first place in the state to set up a needle exchange. At the time, drug users were sharing needles, and it led to the worst HIV outbreak in the state’s history.