[Viva] latest from CTV on HIV girl charged with sexual assault

[Denise Becker]

Kath, Ally, Tami, Margarite, Shelly and all ViVA:

I think if anyone wants to be part of a joint discussion then we might want
to consider this.  I am not in a position where it would matter but some
have kids and it might.

I was thinking about a radio appearance where faces are not seen, I think I
can set this up with CBC radio.  I am in Vancouver next week (Friday?).  Is
anyone interested?

Denise

On Sun, Aug 14, 2011 at 10:38 AM, James and Ally Keating <
keatingfamilycircus at telus.net> wrote:

> **
> *Sorry I put the wrong infection date. I meant to put 20+ years ago...but
> forgot the +. I was actually infected    Aug.2 1986. Just thought I'd set
> the record straight......A  :~)*
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* James and Ally Keating <keatingfamilycircus at telus.net>
> *To:* viva at lists.resist.ca
> *Sent:* Sunday, August 14, 2011 10:34 AM
> *Subject:* Re: [Viva] latest from CTV on HIV girl charged with sexual
> assault
>
> *    I wanted to reply to your question Denise. I was infected 20 years
> ago this past Aug. 2nd. I was infected by a friend with whom I engaged in
> unprotected sex after a great weekend in Seattle partying for my 21st
> birthday. The man I was intimate with knew he had HIV but did not tell me. I
> found out a couple months later when he died of AIDS. The thing is, I don't
> blame him for my situation. I was hurt that he didn't tell me he was HIV+,
> but I knew better than to have unprotected sex. If anything I was angry at
> myself for not protecting myself...but I didn't have the skills or self
> esteem to take that kind of care of me back then. I also realized that my
> friend was in his own denial about his HIV. I knew and know he had no
> intention of hurting me, of passing this on. I guess he just wanted to
> forget, to act like it was all as it used to be, and I understand that. I've
> lived through my own share of denial, fear, depression, etc.. Fortunately I
> was able to come out the other side before it was too late...I found my life
> again. *
> *    The point of sharing this story with you is to let you know where I
> stand on the issue of standing up for this young woman and taking a stand
> against the treatment and criminalization of those HIV+.*
> *    I agree that ViVA should reach out to this young woman, to let her
> know we exist, are here for her and support her. I also think that it would
> be very powerful for ViVA (and others) to put forward a statement or
> position paper about the ongoing treatment and mistreatment of HIV+ people,
> of the way in which this situation was mishandled and of how this is not an
> isolated incident* *. I also believe it is a prime opportunity to address
> the issue of the criminalization of HIV and why that is not the route to
> take.* *I just want tommake sure that we put the spotlight on the issue
> and not this young woman specifically, unless she wants to be put there. I
> guess I feel that she has had so much choice and power taken from her in the
> past week or so and I just want to be sure that we don't add to that with
> our good intentions. *
> *    With that said, I agree that ViVA needs to take a public position
> about this circumstance and the ongoing circumstances of oppression,
> marginalization, criminalization, etc... of the HIV+. Thanks all for letting
> me share, Ally*
> **
> **
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* Margarite Sanchez <margaritesanchez at gmail.com>
> *To:* viva at lists.resist.ca
> *Sent:* Thursday, August 11, 2011 11:30 AM
> *Subject:* Re: [Viva] latest from CTV on HIV girl charged with sexual
> assault
>
> Thanks to all of you for the information and concern for this young woman
> who is still just a child.
> Personally, I would like to see ViVA advocate on her behalf. By responding
> to the media, to the Edmonton police and showing our support to her.
> I say *solidarity *with our poz sisters!
> I will start by writing to the Edmonton Police email address that Ally
> sent. info at edmontonpolicecommission.ca
> but maybe we can also do something as a group and that way no one needs to
> sign it unless they are totally comfortable with using their names.
> I am absolutely against the criminalization of HIV, I know it is deadly but
> no other disease in history has been demonized like this. Syphilis and
> gonorrhea used to be a deadly STI before antibiotics! No one gets arrested
> or even a slap on the wrist for giving someone herpes!
> Of course I don't agree with anyone intentionally spreading HIV but there
> are *many* reasons why people don't disclose.
> I say lets give this young woman our support.
>
> Margarite
>
>
>
>
> On Wed, Aug 10, 2011 at 11:45 AM, Denise Becker <dbecker106 at gmail.com>wrote:
>
>> I am interested to know from anyone who belongs to VIVA if they feel that
>> the stand of helping this girl is not what you believe should be done.  Some
>> women may feel that they were infected directly as a result of someone not
>> informing you and you may be having a hard time with the emotions you are
>> feeling regarding this girl and her status.  If you are having a hard time
>> with it, then please do not feel afraid to tell me or, if you feel
>> comfortable telling me, then tell anyone in VIVA.  We are definitely not
>> there to judge you and want to hear from all sides.  I would hate to think
>> that we are writing about this girl if not everyone is agreed.
>>
>> All the best,
>> Denise
>>
>>
>> On Wed, Aug 10, 2011 at 10:19 AM, James and Ally Keating <
>> keatingfamilycircus at telus.net> wrote:
>>
>>> **
>>> *Hello All,   *
>>> *     I think it's a great idea to get more info, so thanks Denise and
>>> Shelly for putting that out there and getting what we can. It would be great
>>> if there was some way to get e-mails/messages of support to this young
>>> woman....I'm sure she feels quite alone and isolated, even if surrounded by
>>> people who love her...I know I did early on. Also want to say thanks Kath
>>> for posting the GNP+ link of "10 points against criminalization" it's well
>>> thought out, as much of what GNP+ does.*
>>> *    And Tami, I too feel great frustration and even anger at the knee
>>> jerk actions of the Edmonton Police Department and also the Courts who gave
>>> the police authorization to release to the community (and the world) a
>>> public safety warning which contained this young girls name, photo
>>> and labeled her a "threat to public safety".I mean ARE THEY SERIOUS???
>>> Unfortunately they are. I also want to reiterate what Shelly wrote and point
>>> out that this is not an "Edmonton only" problem (although some communities
>>> seem to have more instances than others). These type of actions and
>>> reactions are nation wide and systemic. Every instance of marginalization,
>>> discrimination, violation of civil rights, ostracizing, violence etc..that
>>> happens every day all over the world may not have as serious public and
>>> legal consequence as this present situation but are very serious and need to
>>> be addressed. I see this present situation as a door opener for this issue
>>> of treatment of persons with HIV to be brought to the four front of public
>>> attention. I think this is something which should happen because of the
>>> publicity surrounding what happened in Edmonton but it is something that
>>> should also be separate. I don't want to see this young woman being put
>>> forth as a poster girl for HIV right violation (unless she chooses to do
>>> this herself). Instead I do hope it is more along the lines of "what
>>> happened in Edmonton is happening every day, everywhere". *
>>> *    HIV needs to be seen and dealt with as a medical issue not a moral
>>> or legal issue. Once this situation was moved from the medical, human realm
>>> into the dehumanizing legal realm and rhetoric and fear mongering were added
>>> in, a disservice was done to all, the HIV+ community, the general community
>>> and those in all forms of law/legal services. I truly hope that some general
>>> good can come from this situation since I see very little good that can
>>> happen for this young woman as a result of this. Let's keep her in our
>>> hearts and prayers.   :) Ally*
>>> **
>>> ****
>>> **
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>
>>>  *From:* shelly tognazzini <shetognazzini at gmail.com>
>>> *To:* viva at lists.resist.ca
>>>   *Sent:* Wednesday, August 10, 2011 8:21 AM
>>> *Subject:* Re: [Viva] latest from CTV on HIV girl charged with sexual
>>> assault
>>>
>>> I can look in to independent media if you want Denise, although you
>>> undoubtedly know more than I...
>>>
>>>
>>> On Wed, Aug 10, 2011 at 8:20 AM, shelly tognazzini <
>>> shetognazzini at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> what I meant by CTV?? is F--- CTV !! Edmonton is uptight for sure but
>>>> there is a vibrant and vital arts scene there and many folk who do not
>>>> represent the stereotypes linked to Alberta...there are several independent
>>>> media sources including one of the most respected independent radio station
>>>> (with talk programming as well I believe) in the country: CKUA!
>>>> Wonder what they are saying about this...?
>>>>
>>>>  On Wed, Aug 10, 2011 at 8:04 AM, shelly tognazzini <
>>>> shetognazzini at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Is there anyway of contacting her or finding out more about the bail
>>>>> conditions? Are you able to do the research for contacts D? I would support
>>>>> finding out what we can do and how to best bring the issues surrounding this
>>>>> case and the criminilization of HIV to a better light...maybe she just needs
>>>>> to know she has support and finding out how to connect with her through her
>>>>> lawyer/ family or CTV?? CTV should be slapped as well... As Kath says, VERY
>>>>> SENSITIVE issue,
>>>>> need to ensure the media does not skew an effort to support an already
>>>>> enflamed and complicated case.
>>>>>
>>>>> thoughts out there?
>>>>>
>>>>> On Wed, Aug 10, 2011 at 6:50 AM, Denise Becker <dbecker106 at gmail.com>wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> You know as much as I hate putting my face on media these days then at
>>>>>> some point, if we women want to support a fellow female, we need to get
>>>>>> together as a VIVA group and have a news conference.
>>>>>> Denise
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Wed, Aug 10, 2011 at 12:09 AM, Kath Webster <kathwebster at shaw.ca>wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>  This is a sensitive and complex issue and I recognize that many
>>>>>>> women have become positive due to their sex partners not disclosing.   I
>>>>>>> believe that the  damage that criminalization does  far outweighs the
>>>>>>> misguided intention of ‘protecting the public’. Richard Elliot from the HIV
>>>>>>> Legal Network summed it up well:  “ it’s like cracking a nut with a sledge
>>>>>>> hammer”  .  The Edmonton police acted WAY over the top and it only
>>>>>>> perpetuates an evil stereotype of us as HIV positive people.  One motto I
>>>>>>> heard at last summer’s International AIDS conference was “ Criminalize HATE,
>>>>>>> not HIV”****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Here is a link to the Global Network of People with HIV with their
>>>>>>> stance on it.   It is an document  entitled ’10 Reasons to Oppose the
>>>>>>> Criminalization****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> http://www.gnpplus.net/images/stories/Rights_and_stigma/10reasons_english.pdf
>>>>>>> ****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> This is Reason #1****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> *Criminalizing HIV transmission is justified only when individuals
>>>>>>> purposely or maliciously transmit HIV with the intent to harm others. In
>>>>>>> these rare cases, existing criminal laws can and should be used, rather than
>>>>>>> passing HIV-specific laws.*
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> **
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> **
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> **
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> **
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> **
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> *From:* viva-bounces at lists.resist.ca [mailto:
>>>>>>> viva-bounces at lists.resist.ca] *On Behalf Of *Denise Becker
>>>>>>> *Sent:* August-09-11 3:05 PM
>>>>>>> *To:* viva at lists.resist.ca
>>>>>>> *Subject:* Re: [Viva] latest from CTV on HIV girl charged with
>>>>>>> sexual assault****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> she has now been denied bail!****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2011/08/09/alberta-hiv-teen-in-court.html
>>>>>>> ****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Tue, Aug 9, 2011 at 2:32 PM, Tami Starlight <
>>>>>>> tamistarlight at gmail.com> wrote:****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> No surprise something like this is in Deadmonton.
>>>>>>> Center of the mass conformity where the police are the front line
>>>>>>> unaccountable enforcers of the mass corrupt freakshow.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Mainstream media is ridiculous at best and do not ask any hard
>>>>>>> questions I have, which are basically the same as you posted Ally.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Meegwetch/thank you
>>>>>>> tami
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Tue, Aug 9, 2011 at 1:06 PM, James and Ally Keating <
>>>>>>> keatingfamilycircus at telus.net> wrote:****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>  *Hi All*****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> *    I am so saddened by the actions of this policing department and
>>>>>>> how they handled this situation. It is another example of people with HIV
>>>>>>> being treated morally and not medically. It saddens me that this YOUNG woman
>>>>>>> has been made a pirah in her own community, not to mention a criminal.
>>>>>>> personally I think this is a societal issue and not a criminal issue. By
>>>>>>> attacking this type of behaviour in a criminal manner, how many people will
>>>>>>> be pushed under ground. How many won't get tested due to a criminal
>>>>>>> prosecution as possible consequences if they screw up. I also don't get it
>>>>>>> why it is always up to the person who has the HIV to protect the other
>>>>>>> sexual partner. Why are each person not responsible for protecting
>>>>>>> themselves. Don't get me wrong, I don't think a person with HIV should be
>>>>>>> having multiple encounters of unprotected sex...but that is my belief.
>>>>>>> Anyway, if any of you want to comment or send an email to the Edmonton
>>>>>>> Police department then the link for that is below. It is the compliment,
>>>>>>> complaint and concern email address at the edmonton police commission.  Be
>>>>>>> well all, Ally*****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> *info at edmontonpolicecommission.ca*****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>   ----- Original Message ----- ****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> *From:* Denise Becker <dbecker106 at gmail.com> ****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> *To:* Positive Living BC Board of Directors<board at positivelivingbc.org>;
>>>>>>> viva <Viva at lists.resist.ca> ****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> *Sent:* Monday, August 08, 2011 9:17 AM****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> *Subject:* [Viva] latest from CTV on HIV girl charged with sexual
>>>>>>> assault****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> http://edmonton.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110807/EDM_teenfound_110807/20110807/?hub=EdmontonHome
>>>>>>> ****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network is trying to help this girl.
>>>>>>>  There is a video on this page too.  The channel released her name and photo
>>>>>>> before hiding it later.****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Denise****
>>>>>>>  ------------------------------
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> Viva mailing list
>>>>>>> Viva at lists.resist.ca
>>>>>>> https://lists.resist.ca/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/viva****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> Viva mailing list
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>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -- ****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ****
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ****
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>>>>>>> 08/08/11****
>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>
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>>>>>
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