Planned Parenthood’s stance on disclosure to sex partners may cause proliferation of HIV
Is it wrong not to tell a sex partner that you have HIV, a sexually transmitted disease that attacks the immune system.
According to International Planned Parenthood Federation, of which Planned Parenthood Federation of America is an official affiliate, it is not wrong.
Planned Parenthood says it is a person’s “human right” not to tell their sexual partners they are HIV positive if they don’t want to.
HIV is transmitted through sexual activity. Anyone who comes in contact with HIV-infected semen, vaginal secretions, and/or blood is at risk of becoming infected.
Planned Parenthood’s advice contradicts New York State Public Health Law § 2307 , which states that “any person who, knowing him/herself to be infected with an infectious venereal disease, has sexual intercourse with another is guilty of a misdemeanor.”
Planned Parenthood takes a different view:
Their “Healthy, Happy and Hot” booklet, “celebrates the sexual rights of young people living with HIV.
It also “recognises the diverse forms of sexual pleasure young people experience.”
The booklet makes clear that it is up to the individual to decide if, when, and how to disclose their HIV status.
“Sharing your HIV status is called disclosure. Your decision about whether to disclose may change with different people and situations. You have the right to decide if, when, and how to disclose your HIV status.”
In 35 states someone who is HIV positive who has sex with someone else without divulging it, can be charged with a crime.
International Planned Parenthood Federation is working to change since “These laws violate the rights of people living with HIV by forcing them to disclose or face the possibility of criminal charges.”
The pamphlet advises people with HIV to “Get involved in advocacy to change laws that violate your rights.”
Planned Parenthood also realizes that young people’s need to celebrate sex is of swuch paramount importance that, as the booklet says, “There are lot’s (sic) of people who don’t mind whether their partner(s) is HIV negative or positive,” and for those who already have HIV it’s your right to “experience sexual pleasure” and that “you’ve done nothing wrong” – even if you choose not to tell your sexual partner.
“Healthy, Happy and Hot” advice on alcohol and drug consumption for HIV-positive youth is: “Some people have sex when they have been drinking alcohol or using drugs. This is your choice. Being drunk or high can affect the decisions you might make about sex and safer sex. If you want to have sex and think you might get drunk or high, plan ahead by bringing condoms and lube or putting them close to where you usually have sex.”
By “young people” – Planned Parenthood generally means people from the age of 14 and upwards.
But this can vary to as low as age 10.
As Planned Parenthood explains in “EXCLAIM! Young people’s guide to ‘Sexual rights: and IPPF declaration, “Since each young person develops at their own pace, there is no universal age at which certain sexual rights and protections gain or lose importance.”
Planned Parenthood booklets for young people seem to leave out one crucial point.
It is precisely this kind of thinking – this lack of regard for safety for oneself and others in the name of celebrating sexual rights, freedoms and ultimately excess that is the cause of so many young people contracting HIV.
And needing their booklets in the first place.
International Planned Parenthood Federation, of which Planned Parenthood Federation of America is an official affiliate, maintains it is a person’s “human right” not to tell their sexual partners they are HIV positive if they don’t want to. It seems to us it is a person’s “human right” to be told!
