International Conference on Stigma

CHLP Executive Director S. Mandisa Moore-O'Neal will deliver the keynote address at the 15th Annual International Conference on Stigma at Howard University in Washington, DC on Thursday, November 21 at 9:30am. Her talk is entitled "HIV Decriminalization as a Necessary Strategy to End HIV Stigma." Using a Black feminist and abolitionist lens, her keynote will provide a necessary framework for understanding the true depth and breadth of HIV criminalization. It will also illuminate how it is inextricably linked to a culture of systemic, institutional, and interpersonal stigma that targets Black LGBTQ+ people the most.  

CHLP Senior PJP Attorney Jada Hicks will also present in one of two faith-based sessions at the conference, a virtual panel entitled "Faith to End HIV Criminalization" on Tuesday, November 19 at 2:00pm. Raja G. Bhattar, US HIV/AIDS Faith Coalition will moderate a discussion with panelists that include Jada; Robert Suttle, The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation Council of Justice Leaders; Jasmine Tasaki, WeCareTN, and; Lauryn Whitney, Authentic Voices Global.

This event welcomes students, academics, health providers, community organizations, and people living with stigmatized health conditions to work together to tackle HIV and other health-related stigma. The conference will take place as a hybrid event with the 19th and 20th virtual and the 21st in person at the Blackburn Center at Howard University.