Wednesday, February 28, marks the third annual HIV is Not a Crime Awareness Day (HINAC Day). The Sero ProjectExit Disclaimer, in collaboration with the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS FoundationExit Disclaimer (ETAF), first observed this day in 2022 to spread awareness about outdated HIV-specific laws and end HIV criminalization. This year’s HINAC Day theme is “You care about ending HIV criminalization. You just don’t know it yet.”

HINAC Day is an opportunity to review the following information and resources about HIV criminalization:

• Sero Project’s Toolkit in EnglishExit Disclaimer (PDF, 7.80MB) and SpanishExit Disclaimer (PDF, 7.10MB).
• ETAF’s Social Media Toolkit.Exit Disclaimer
• Learn more about the global launch of HINAC DayExit Disclaimer.
• HIV Justice Worldwide ToolkitExit Disclaimer.
• HIV Criminalization and Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. on CDC.gov.
• Learn more about HIV and STD Criminalization Laws at https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/policies/law/states/exposure.html.
• Find out about laws that address high-impact HIV prevention efforts in your state on CDC.gov.
• Read this blog to learn about CDC’s work to engage several states in using their HIV Criminalization Legal and Policy Assessment Tool (PDF, 1.45MB).
• Our HIV Is Not A Crime Awareness Day page features more information and materials from community partners.

Living with HIV is not a crime but, in more than 30 U.S. states, people are being imprisoned due to their HIV status. Despite scientific advancements that have lessened the risk of transmitting HIV through sex to an HIV-negative partner to nearly zero with the right medications, people with HIV are being criminally charged due to their positive HIV status. HIV criminalization laws can consist of using a person’s positive HIV status in a criminal prosecution and/or increasing charges or punishments because of their status.

One of the goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (2022–2025) (PDF, 1.76MB) (NHAS) is to reduce HIV-related disparities and health inequities. As part of reducing HIV-related stigma, the NHAS highlights the importance of reforming and modernizing laws to reflect our current knowledge of HIV.

Join the conversation:

Use the hashtag #HIVISNOTACRIME and follow, like, or share content on these channels:

• Facebook: HIVgovExit Disclaimer, CDC HIVExit Disclaimer, Start Talking Stop HIVExit Disclaimer, ETAForgExit Disclaimer, The Sero ProjectExit Disclaimer
• Twitter: @HIVGovExit Disclaimer, @CDC_HIVExit Disclaimer, @DrMerminCDCExit Disclaimer, and @ETAForgExit Disclaimer
• Instagram: @HIVgovExit Disclaimer, @stophivtogetherExit Disclaimer @elizabethtayloraidsfoundationExit Disclaimer, @theseroprojectExit Disclaimer