Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this piece are the author’s and do not necessarily represent the position of Positive Women’s Network – USA.
June 11, 2018
by Monique Howell
This week here at #HINAC3 in Indianapolis has been so powerful and enriching! As I attended the Black United Leadership Institute (BULI), I learned how as a black individual, it’s important to be in the FRONT! It’s important to be in spaces that involves people like me!! While sitting in a room with 50 other participants, I learned and received the tools needed to continue to make the movement of HIV decriminalization and things involving HIV/AIDS more meaningful! We have the right to make decisions that are about us and for us! We will unapologetically take up space!!!
June 11, 2018by Monique Howell
This week here at #HINAC3 in Indianapolis has been so powerful and enriching! As I attended the Black United Leadership Institute (BULI), I learned how as a black individual, it’s important to be in the FRONT! It’s important to be in spaces that involves people like me!! While sitting in a room with 50 other participants, I learned and received the tools needed to continue to make the movement of HIV decriminalization and things involving HIV/AIDS more meaningful! We have the right to make decisions that are about us and for us! We will unapologetically take up space!!!
After BULI was over, the #HINAC3 training started. As a survivor of HIV criminalization and a black female, this training continues to allow me to see the passion in the people hearts that want to see these laws changed! Thrown out! As a female survivor, sometimes I do feel like I’m alone in this movement and wonder if I even matter? I know I matter, but I’m human. Yes, I am a survivor, but I’m also a mother. I stated at the survivors’ plenary in the first session how it is not easy to relive the pain, the torture and the reminders of being criminalized for having HIV. This is not easy especially when your story is being aired nation wide and you still have to walk out this training protecting yourself and your children at home because you never know who saw the story, nor what reaction or judgement you may receive. It’s not easy and I think people “forget” that piece. I think people forget I stand as the only female to speak for all the women who have been criminalized. The weight gets heavy at times, however it was refreshing to allow our audience to know that we are and have moved forward!! I’m living!
HIV Criminalization didn’t control me. I controlled it! I turned something negative in my life into something powerful by moving past my pain and LIVING the best life I know how! HIV Criminalization is a tough topic. If you have never experienced being criminalized, then you would never understand, however you can educate yourself and get familiar with your state’s laws so that you can help empower others and make these laws get thrown out! Talk to your legislators and leaders in your state. These laws DO NOT consider the science of HIV!! Take the word “HIV” out the definition of “HIV Criminalization charges” and you will see NOBODY actually committed the crime these laws states. Knowledge is POWER and we have the power to bring change!! We can’t be afraid to make a stand and speak for what is fair and right for us all!! We need more individuals who are living with HIV to be right at the decision-making table! We need more faces even like ME! We are the true experts!! This moment we have the POWER and we should never be afraid of our own strength and voice!! Your support this week has been amazing and we who are survivors and still going through the criminalization process need your continuous support!
HIV Criminalization didn’t control me. I controlled it! I turned something negative in my life into something powerful by moving past my pain and LIVING the best life I know how! HIV Criminalization is a tough topic. If you have never experienced being criminalized, then you would never understand, however you can educate yourself and get familiar with your state’s laws so that you can help empower others and make these laws get thrown out! Talk to your legislators and leaders in your state. These laws DO NOT consider the science of HIV!! Take the word “HIV” out the definition of “HIV Criminalization charges” and you will see NOBODY actually committed the crime these laws states. Knowledge is POWER and we have the power to bring change!! We can’t be afraid to make a stand and speak for what is fair and right for us all!! We need more individuals who are living with HIV to be right at the decision-making table! We need more faces even like ME! We are the true experts!! This moment we have the POWER and we should never be afraid of our own strength and voice!! Your support this week has been amazing and we who are survivors and still going through the criminalization process need your continuous support!
I am LIVING!