A invoice that may decriminalize HIV in Maryland is a high legislative precedence for FreeState Justice in 2025.
FreeState Justice Neighborhood Advocacy Supervisor Ronnie Taylor advised the Washington Blade on Wednesday the Carlton R. Smith Jr. HIV Modernization Act seeks to repeal “outdated and stigmatizing legal guidelines that criminalize the switch of HIV, bringing Maryland’s public well being legal guidelines in step with fashionable science and finest practices.”
The invoice is known as after Carlton Smith, a long-time LGBTQ activist often called the “mayor” of Baltimore’s Mount Vernon neighborhood who died final Might. The same measure died within the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee in 2024.
“The invoice emphasizes public well being schooling, anti-discrimination measures, and entry to care, making certain these residing with HIV are supported fairly than penalized,” stated Taylor.
Taylor identified FreeState Justice is working with the Maryland Legislative LGBTQIA+ Caucus and the Maryland Fee on LGBTQIA+ Affairs to construct assist for 4 extra payments and coverage aims.
• The Delivery Certificates Modernization Act would “streamline the method for amending gender markers on beginning certificates to make it extra accessible and affirming.”
• The Fee on Historical past, Tradition and Civics would create “an inclusive fee to heart marginalized voices in Maryland’s historical past, tradition, and civics schooling.”
• The implementation of “inclusive and various English Language Arts Requirements” in public colleges that may guarantee “curricula mirror various identities and lived experiences, fostering a extra inclusive studying setting for college kids.”
• The creation of a “complete well being schooling framework” that may set up “a strong and inclusive well being schooling framework for major and secondary colleges, specializing in fairness and affirming all college students.”
Taylor famous FreeState Justice can be “exploring methods to assist” Compassion and Selections, a gaggle that advocates for assisted dying, of their efforts in assist of the Honorable Elijah E. Cummings Finish of Life Choice Act.
“The act has profound historic significance for LGBTQIA+ communities, as end-of-life choices had been first championed through the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the Nineties, highlighting the significance of dignity and selection,” stated Taylor.
She added the “legislative efforts mirror FreeState Justice’s dedication to advancing fairness and dignity for LGBTQIA+ Marylanders via coverage advocacy and group collaboration.”
