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

[Margarite Sanchez]

PS. Here is the letter I sent to the Edmonton Police fyi:
Dear Sirs,
I am a mother and an HIV+ woman and I am writing to you to express my alarm
at the witch hunt that has taken place in your jurisdiction. I am referring
to the young woman, a child really, that is accused of a crime due to her
HIV status. Her name and photo should never have been made public!
The criminalization of an illness such as HIV is draconian. I am very well
aware of the deadliness of HIV/AIDS, I am a long term survivor and I
wouldn't wish it on anyone, however criminalizing people who are unfortunate
enough to have this illness is truly backward thinking. There is little to
no risk of a man getting HIV through heterosexual contact with a woman and I
don't believe that anyone forced the men involved to have condom-less sex.
Everyone should take responsibility to protect themselves from all STI's,
not just HIV.
I hope that the Edmonton police will take action to assure citizens that
this will never happen again.
Sincerely,
Margarite Sanchez

On Mon, Aug 15, 2011 at 11:18 PM, Margarite Sanchez <
margaritesanchez at gmail.com> wrote:

> I will am busy this Friday... but just curious, what radio program are you
> thinking about approaching and could it be done by telephone or skype? And
> what do you think about us doing an Op-Ed for the newspapers?
> Margarite
>
>
> On Mon, Aug 15, 2011 at 2:42 PM, Denise Becker <dbecker106 at gmail.com>wrote:
>
>> I am in Vancouver on the 19th, so I guess I should have said this coming
>> Friday.
>> Denise
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Aug 15, 2011 at 11:38 AM, James and Ally Keating <
>> keatingfamilycircus at telus.net> wrote:
>>
>>> **
>>> *Hey Denise,*
>>> *    By next week, frindy....do you mean Friday August 26th???*
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> *From:* Denise Becker <dbecker106 at gmail.com>
>>> *To:* viva at lists.resist.ca
>>> *Sent:* Monday, August 15, 2011 8:27 AM
>>> *Subject:* Re: [Viva] latest from CTV on HIV girl charged with sexual
>>> assault
>>>
>>> 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
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>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> -- ****
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> ****
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>> Viva mailing list
>>>>>>>>>> Viva at lists.resist.ca
>>>>>>>>>> https://lists.resist.ca/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/viva****
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> ****
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>>>>>>>>>> No virus found in this message.
>>>>>>>>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
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>>>>>>>>>> 08/08/11****
>>>>>>>>>>
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