titiklabingapat
Member
Perhaps many of you were young when the HIV hysteria was at its heights so perhaps a little history lesson is in order.
The reason why HIV was specifically targeted by the old California law (current law in many states) is partly homophobia, pure and simple. HIV was seen as the gay virus. It was another way to criminalize the marginalized. Bonus points for also affecting injection drug users. Having it seen as a criminal crisis instead of a public health crisis made it really easy for society at large to ignore it as long as possible. Thankfully that has changed but the stigma is still very real.
'Gays trying to rape and infect your young sons' was a thing. Still is, actually.
The reason why HIV was specifically targeted by the old California law (current law in many states) is partly homophobia, pure and simple. HIV was seen as the gay virus. It was another way to criminalize the marginalized. Bonus points for also affecting injection drug users. Having it seen as a criminal crisis instead of a public health crisis made it really easy for society at large to ignore it as long as possible. Thankfully that has changed but the stigma is still very real.
'Gays trying to rape and infect your young sons' was a thing. Still is, actually.