Tennessee’s penalties for HIV-positive people are discriminatory, Justice Department says
Associated PressNASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee’s decades-old aggravated prostitution statute violates the Americans with Disabilities Act, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday after an investigation, warning that the state could face a lawsuit if officials don’t immediately cease enforcement. “Tennessee’s aggravated prostitution law is outdated, has no basis in science, discourages testing and further marginalizes people living with HIV,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, with the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, in a statement. “People living with HIV should not be treated as violent sex offenders for the rest of their lives solely because of their HIV status.” The department’s letter was addressed specifically to Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director David Rausch and Shelby County District Attorney Steven Mulroy. “OUTMemphis welcomes the DOJ’s findings that, through its outdated and punitive aggravated prostitution law, Tennessee is discriminating against people living with HIV,” said Molly Quinn, executive director, OUTMemphis, in a statement.
History of this topic
"It's about the cruelty": Experts worry SCOTUS trans rights case could "creep into other areas"
SalonSupreme Court seems likely to uphold Tennessee’s ban on medical treatments for transgender minors
Associated Press
Tennessee will remove HIV-positive people convicted of sex work from violent sex offender list
The IndependentTennessee governor OKs penalizing adults who help minors receive abortions, gender-affirming care
Associated PressTennessee lawmakers OK bill penalizing adults who help minors receive gender-affirming care
Associated Press
Being HIV-positive will no longer automatically disqualify police candidates in Tennessee city
Associated Press
US Justice Department sues over Tennessee law targeting HIV-positive people convicted of sex work
Associated PressBill would revise Tennessee’s decades-old law targeting HIV-positive people convicted of sex work
Associated Press
Tennessee faces federal lawsuit over decades-old penalties targeting HIV-positive people
Associated PressTennessee can enforce ban on transgender care for minors, court says
Associated Press
Justice Department challenges Tennessee to block ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth
The Independent
US sues Tennessee over ban on care for transgender youth
Associated Press
US Justice Dept sues Tennessee over transgender healthcare law
Al Jazeera
Tennessee closes in on trans youth care ban; lawsuit pledged
Associated Press
Tennessee governor signs transgender athlete penalty bill
Associated Press
Tennessee moves to the forefront with anti-transgender laws
Associated Press
Tennessee governor OKs transgender youth treatment ban
Associated PressDiscover Related
