CHLP joins Allies for Public Forum on HIV Criminalization at Oklahoma State Capitol
On November 20, 2024, CHLP participated in an interim study about HIV criminalization sponsored by Oklahoma State Senators Julia Kirt and Carri Hicks. CHLP virtually joined Freedom Oklahoma, Equality Federation, UCLA's Williams Institute, and local public health professionals to educate legislators and the general public and inspire legislative reform.
Staff Attorney Sean McCormick presented on the legal landscape of HIV and other stigmatized disease criminalization in Oklahoma, highlighting the HIV-specific exposure law and the HIV-specific sex work enhancement. In response to questions by Senators Hicks and Kirt, McCormick emphasized the shortcomings of Oklahoma's HIV-related criminal laws and related public health harms associated with these shortcomings.
Select news / social media:
Oklahoma lawmakers, policy groups study ways to decriminalize HIV
KOSU NPR, by Jillian Taylor and Sierra Pfeifer
November 22, 2024
Senators Hicks and Kirt shared a short recap after the study on Instagram.
Recording of testimony:
Watch to learn about HIV data in Oklahoma, decriminalization efforts, and the history of HIV criminalization in OK.:
