🐾 HIV Is Not a Crime Awareness Day—From Scrappy & Pumpkin's Perspective
🐾 Hey, friends! Scrappy & Pumpkin here! 🐾
Today, we’re taking over True U Clinic’s page to talk about something super important—HIV Is Not a Crime Awareness Day (February 28). Why? Because our humans told us that some people living with HIV can be arrested just for existing. And that, friends, is completely unacceptable.
So, we’re here to break it down in Scrappy & Pumpkin style—no nonsense, just facts, and a whole lot of tail-wagging for justice. Let’s go! 🐕🐈⬛
People are still going to jail for being HIV-positive—even if they can’t transmit the virus.
🐾 HIV Criminalization—Wait, What?!
Did you know that in 30+ states, people living with HIV (PLHIV) can still face criminal charges just for things like:
❌ Spitting (even though HIV isn’t spread through saliva)
❌ Having sex with a partner—even if they’re undetectable and can’t transmit HIV
❌ Not disclosing their status—even if there’s zero risk of transmission
That’s messed up. These laws were written in the 1980s and 1990s when people were still scared, uninformed, and watching way too many bad movies about HIV.
But here’s the truth, straight from the doggo and cat: Science has evolved, but the laws haven’t. And that’s why we need to change them.
🐾 Let’s Get One Thing Straight—U=U!
Listen, if there’s one thing we need to bark from the rooftops today, it’s this:
📢 U=U → Undetectable = Untransmittable
🐾 That means that if someone is living with HIV and taking medication as prescribed, their viral load becomes undetectable.
🐾 And when HIV is undetectable, it CANNOT be passed to sexual partners.
🐾 Yet, people are still going to jail for being HIV-positive—even if they can’t transmit the virus.
HOW. DOES. THAT. MAKE. SENSE?! 😡
The laws don’t reflect science. They reflect stigma. And that stigma does real harm—it discourages testing, fuels misinformation, and disproportionately targets Black, Brown, LGBTQIA+, and low-income communities.
🐾 So What Can We Do About It?
We may just be two very adorable, very opinionated animals, but we know that change starts with action. Here’s how we can all fight back:
🐾 Educate Yourself & Others – Learn about HIV criminalization laws in your state and call them out for being outdated and unjust.
🐾 Advocate for Change – Support groups like Sero Project, Positive Women’s Network, and HIV Justice Worldwide, who are fighting for legal reform.
🐾 Push for Science-Based Laws – HIV laws should be based on facts, not fear-mongering from 40 years ago.
🐾 Challenge Stigma Every Day – Speak up when you hear misinformation. Tell your friends, family, and communities that HIV is not a crime, and U=U is a fact.
🐾 Use Your Voice – Whether you have two legs or four, your voice matters. Demand better policies, uplift the voices of PLHIV, and let the world know: HIV is NOT a crime.
🐾 Final Thoughts From Scrappy & Pumpkin
We may not be lawyers, but we know injustice when we see it. It’s time to rewrite these laws, end HIV criminalization, and build a world based on science, not stigma.
So, if you’re mad about this, GOOD. You should be. Now, go do something about it. 💙
With pawsitive energy & a helluvaa lot of tail wags,
🐾 Scrappy & Pumpkin 🐾
True U Clinic is an online hormone therapy clinic that provides safe and medically supervised hormone therapy to the trans and non-binary community. We utilize modern day technology and the most up-to-date clinical practices. Our goal is to provide this service at an accessible price, all while treating our clients with compassion and respect.
We are dedicated to providing a personalized experience and high-quality care through the convenience of virtual care. Get started with care for exactly who you are, wherever you are, today!
