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Making positive justice possible.

CHLP is an abolitionist legal and policy organization that envisions and works for a world where HIV and other stigmatized health conditions are no longer criminalized but met with compassion and the resources to thrive.

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Introducing the CHLP Impact Report

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View a pdf of the 2023 Impact Report.

This first-of-its-kind report from CHLP highlights our work to manifest change and advance our mission throughout 2023. Our first year under the leadership of Executive Director S. Mandisa Moore-O’Neal was one of transformation and grounded reassessments during which CHLP:

  • Adopted a new mission, vision, and unapologetically abolitionist framework that has become a model for the HIV justice movement;
  • Celebrated the DOJ findings that HIV criminal laws violate the ADA, based on an innovative legal strategy developed by CHLP;
  • Challenged the CDC on Molecular HIV Surveillance policy and created a roadmap for advocates on how to address MHS with lawmakers;
  • Demanded improvements to the Older Americans Act while working to develop a legal primer for people living and aging with HIV, and much more.

The vital partnership of our friends, colleagues, and funders is crucial to this and the important work that lies ahead. Thank you for your continued support.

 

In the News

February 19, 2025

CHLP Authors Letter to The Ethicist in Response to Irresponsible Claims

CHLP wrote a letter to The Ethicist regarding a subscriber's email on February 3, 2025, with a letter entitled “Good in Bed: The Ethicist Answers Your Sex Questions, Part 2: I'm HIV Positive but Undetectable, Do Casual Partners Need to Know?" that contained dangerous information about HIV non-disclosure.
Red background with CHLP logo and white type reading Celebrating 20 years of making positive justice possible on the left, on the right a light background with the words 20 years in large red and black type.
February 19, 2025

CHLP Celebrates 20 Years Making Positive Justice Possible

In 2025, CHLP proudly celebrates 20 years of advocacy, innovation, and unwavering commitment to HIV justice, kicking off with a CHLP20 New York City reception honoring Founding Executive Director Catherine Hanssens with the inaugural Urvashi Vaid Visionary Justice Award
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February 11, 2025

CHLP Aging Primer Featured in Positively Aware Magazine

The January / February edition of Positively Aware magazine features excerpts from CHLP's new aging primer, Aging & HIV: An introduction to legal issues facing people living and aging with HIV.
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Visionary Justice

If you share CHLP's vision of radical, transformative, and Visionary Justice, please donate to our fundraising campaign. The entire CHLP team thanks you for your solidarity and support. We cannot create the world we all deserve without you! 

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What We Do

Positive Justice Project

A national coalition of organizations and individuals working to end HIV criminalization.

Sexual Health Literacy

Working for the rights of youth in state custody to comprehensive, LGBTQ-affirming sexual health care.

Molecular HIV Surveillance

Protecting the privacy and rights of people living with HIV and from the misuse of molecular surveillance data.

Recent Webinars

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Event

Centering Black Voices: How to Build a Successful HIV Decriminalization Coalition Rooted in Racial Justice

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Event

Aging & HIV Webinar: Shared Experiences, Unique Challenges

Kill the Bill: Navigating Through Legislative Decisions and Mobilizing Advocates
Event

Kill the Bill: Navigating Through Legislative Decisions and Mobilizing Advocates

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Event

The DOJ Findings on the ADA in Tennessee, Part 2: How Advocates are Applying the Findings

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Event

What’s the Hoopla about HIPAA?

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Event

Remembering & Recommitting

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Find Laws In Your State

Information on HIV criminalization laws and policies in every state based on research for CHLP's Sourcebook on State and Federal HIV Criminal Law and Practice.

Go to Our Policy Map

Featured CHLP Publications

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Resource

HIV Criminalization in the United States: A Sourcebook on State and Federal HIV Criminal Law and Practice, CHLP (updated January 2024)

January 31, 2024
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Resource

The PJP Update, Positive Justice Project (September 2022)

September 12, 2022
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Resource

Map: HIV Criminalization in the United States, CHLP (updated 2022)

June 28, 2022
Timeline of State Reforms and Repeals of HIV Criminal Laws
Resource

Timeline of State Reforms and Repeals of HIV Criminal Laws, CHLP (updated 2022)

June 28, 2022
Viral Hepatitis Map
Resource

Map: An Overview of States Criminalizing Viral Hepatitis, CHLP (updated May 2022)

May 18, 2022
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Resource

U.S. HIV Laws and Prosecutorial Tools, CHLP (updated 2022)

April 4, 2022
Browse All CHLP Publications

Latest Resources

CHLP's National Resource Center on HIV, Infectious Disease, Sexual Health and Identity is a comprehensive database of materials to inform and support sound laws and advocacy around stigmatized identities.

Letters and Other Advocacy Documents

Public Comments to CDC on draft "Recommendations for HIV Screening in Clinical Settings," CHLP et al (2024)

These comments authored by CHLP with Lambda Legal, the Legal Action Center, the U.S.

Letters and Other Advocacy Documents

Comment on the 2026-2030 National HIV/AIDS Strategy, CHLP (2024)

In response to the recent Request for Information for a new National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS), CHLP submitted responses that emphasized the importance of recognizing the scope and impact of HIV criminalization and other nonconsensual or punitive policy and legal approaches.
Fact Sheet

What is Molecular HIV Surveillance and does it put me at risk? CHLP (2024)

CHLP authored this in-depth look at the practice of Molecular HIV Surveillance (MHS) and explains its framework, goals, and concerns. MHS is a form of public health surveillance utilized by public health officials to address gaps in HIV treatment and prevention.

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Support CHLP

More than 90% of every donation we receive goes directly to support our advocacy programs on behalf of people living with HIV.

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Upcoming Events

February 2025

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Webinars

USHAFC Engaging Faith Communities to End HIV Criminalization

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Webinars

Trump’s First 30 Days: What LGBTQ+ Older People Need to Know

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Webinars

Visualizing the Threat to Our Communities: New HIV Criminalization Maps from CHLP

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Special Event

CHLP Celebrates 20 Years

April 2025

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Conferences

American Society on Aging: On Aging 2025