Dear John, Contact Governor Northam and urge him to AMEND Senate Bill 1138 to REDUCE the felony penalty to a misdemeanor! During the 2021 legislative session, the Virginia General Assembly passed Senate Bill 1138, a bill seeking to modernize Virginia’s current HIV law. However, the passed version of the bill unfortunately includes a felony penalty, which means that Virginians living with HIV - including LGBTQ Virginians - could be penalized for up to five years in prison simply because of their HIV diagnosis. Additionally, the current version of the bill contributes to racial injustice, as Black Virginians - especially Black transgender women - are disproportionately targeted by the current law. There is still time to fix this before the bill is signed into law - we need Governor Northam to amend the bill to remove the felony penalty and reduce it to a misdemeanor. By dropping this penalty to a misdemeanor we still have the tools to prosecute the intention to transmit, which is the core public health concern, while ensuring that Virginians living with HIV can safely access healthcare and prevention services without fear of prosecution. Virginia needs to be more equitable and racially just, so we need your help to ensure that SB 1138 is signed into law WITHOUT a felony penalty. With the deadline for Governor Northam’s signature on the bill set for Wednesday, March 31st, there is no time to waste! Can you spare a minute to contact the Governor and tell him to amend SB 1138 to reduce the felony penalty and help end HIV criminalization in Virginia? |
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Thank you for your time, support, and all that you do to advance LGBTQ equality in Virginia. Sincerely, Vee Lamneck
Executive Director |
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