Special Event

Changing Laws, Changing Lives

Event Details

Date
Time

6:00PM CT

Location

The Cordelle, Nashville

Red and orange graphic reading Changing Laws, Changing Lives, Learn about the recent changes to Tennessee's sex offender registry law. Celebrate Lashanda Salinas and her successful removal from the registry. Wednesday, November 1, 6-9pm, The Cordelle, Nashville, hors d'oeuvres & wine bar. Logos at bottom for ETAF, CHLP, THMC and SERO.

CHLP, the Tennessee HIV Modernization Coalition (THMC), the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF), and the Sero Project present Changing Laws, Changing Lives. This special event on Wednesday, November 1 in Nashville will provide an opportunity for community members to learn about recent changes to Tennessee's sex offender registry laws and celebrate advocate Lashanda Salinas and her successful removal from the registry. 

Thanks to the passage of Senate Bill 0807/House Bill 832 into law, exposure to HIV was removed from offenses requiring sex offender registration in Tennessee as of July 1, 2023. People living with HIV who have been convicted of criminal exposure can now request to terminate their registration requirements with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Local advocate Lashanda Salinas was one of the first people in Tennessee to apply for and be successfully removed from the registry. “This law is going to finally let me have my life back. I can see family, my cousins, and attend family reunions and participate in things," said Salinas.

This event will explain the sex offender removal process for those qualifying individuals previously convicted of criminal exposure. Lashanda will also be honored and get a chance to tell her story about coming off the registry. 

Presenters:

  • Leah Freeman, THMC co-chair, will host the event
  • Jada Hicks, CHLP staff attorney, will  present on the law (before and after)
  • Nathan Cisneros, Williams Institute, will present virtually on the impact of the HIV-specific law in Tennessee
  • Amna Osman, Nashville CARES chief executive officer, will highlight some of the advocacy work surrounding the bill
  • Jeff Preptit, ACLU of Tennessee staff attorney, will discuss the ACLU's lawsuit to challenge Tennessee’s discriminatory aggravated prostitution law
  • Lashanda Salinas, Tennessee advocate, will speak about her experience

Community members, attorneys, or AIDS service organizations are invited to attend. Space is limited. Contact Jada Hicks for more information.

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