The training academy, scheduled for May 30 – June 2 in Columbus, OH, will inspire and build the advocacy skills of hundreds of HIV advocates
“As a survivor of HIV criminalization, seeing so many people from all across the world wanting to learn and gain more knowledge on HIV criminalization lets me know that we are moving closer to CHANGE! We matter! Our rights matter!”
This was the reflection of Monique Howell following the HIV Is Not a Crime II National Training Academy in 2016. Four years later, Monique and hundreds of other HIV advocates from across the nation and even from other countries are gearing up for the fourth iteration of HIV Is Not a Crime (HINAC), to be held in Columbus, Ohio, May 30 – June 2, sponsored by the SERO Project in collaboration with Positive Women’s Network – USA, Positively Trans, Thrive SS, and the U.S. People Living with HIV Caucus. This year’s training academy promises to be the best yet, packed with workshops to build concrete skills in building coalitions and working with legislators to change laws; thought-provoking sessions on ensuring the leadership of most impacted communities and using an intersectional lens in fighting criminalization; and special institutes to build Black and Latinx leadership and for white people who want to be intentionally anti-racist in their advocacy.
“I feel a shift in the way I look at the world and my activism. We are in an incredibly difficult and challenging time, but to know that hard working advocates and policy makers are making significant advances and changes and developing a strategy and a movement to make change happen, gives me hope. And to begin to try to understand how that, and all my work, absolutely has to happen within a framework of social and racial justice, has me reinvigorated. My heart and my mind have been opened.”
– Jeff Berry on HIV Is Not A Crime III
What’s new for 2020? Active efforts to repeal or modernize HIV criminalization laws are underway in at least 20 states. Even for states without HIV-specific laws on the books, advocates are using local and state political races, such as for district attorneys, to educate candidates and elected leaders on why using general laws to criminalize HIV status is bad for public health and human rights. Whether you are already doing the work on the ground or are just interested in getting started, HIV Is Not a Crime IV Training Academy will introduce you to a community of like-minded advocates with a wealth of experience to share and learn from, and the opportunity to connect with others from your state who can help build and strengthen your efforts.
“It was the first time I was with a group of people where disclosure was not an issue. The friendships developed there continue.”
– Reginald Brown on the first HIV Is Not a Crime in 2014
Plus, it’s a whole lot of fun. Even with plenty of deep, vitally important conversations, there is room for art—HINAC IV is bringing back the very popular contest for visual, written, and spoken word art contest—and play.
“I met Avram Finkelstein there. Avram mentored many of us in the art of political messaging that is art at the same time. We designed posters that we believe have engaged people around the world about ending HIV criminalization. Artists have always said that art saves lives. We, at HINAC, learned that our art could help us do our justice work, and save lives at the same time. The art we made in those workshops with Avram helped so many of us to bond for life. We are one fierce, beautiful family!”
– Susan Mull, HINAC III art contest winner, on HIV Is Not A Crime I
Registration is open for HIV Is Not a Crime IV. Don’t miss the HIV advocacy event of the year: register today! See you there!
