Washington House and Senate Democrats passed HB 1551, changing the punishment for intentional infection of HIV from a felony to misdemeanor, and denied two amendments to make second and third offenses felonies.
I’m a lifelong Democrat. I was raped and contracted HIV in 1992. Now I suffer from PTSD. I’ve gone from being afraid and moving in the dark of night to start a new life in another city, to struggling with “Why me?” “What if I never got this?” “What is life like not having daily diarrhea from my meds?” “What would it be like to not need a nap because I am sick?”
I asked senators to tell their district they have HIV for one week before they voted. They could feel the looks people give when they know you’re HIV-positive, know what it is like for people to distance themselves professionally and socially. See if they get re-elected. They will notice people watching them with their kids. If you were intentionally infected with HIV, would a misdemeanor be justifiable punishment for your life forever changed?
Some politicians say it needs changing because there’s better medical/mental care. Who will pay thousands of dollars yearly on medical bills if the intentionally infected can’t? The reps and senators who passed HB 1551? Ask Gov. Inslee to veto HB 1551. Call at 360-902-4111.
