Friday, October 12, 2012

Canada's Courts rule that some HIV carriers don't need to tell partners about their condition

Dear GAA Friend,

Nearly everyone knows now that older persons are increasingly engaged in sex and can be exposed to HIV/AIDS. What are the rules about informing a partner about one's condition?  Are there any? 

This past Friday, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that it's a "sexual assault" if there is a "realistic possibility" that the partner gave the AIDS virus to his/her partner.

The Supreme Court nullified existing Canadian law that required persons with HIV to disclose their condition to partners without exception.  

People have plenty of opinions about this issue:  Some say that "telling" is not necessary when partners use condoms because there's little chance of HIV/AIDS transmission.  Others feel that persons with HIV make up a marginalized group and that they should not have their civil liberties denied by having to tell every potential partner that they have HIV/AIDS.

What do you think?  Please send your comments.

Have a good weekend, Susanne Paul for Global Action on Aging

3 comments:

  1. Young or old I think everybody has the right to know their partner's STD status if there is a risk - even small - of getting the disease.

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  2. I agree with Duygu : everybody has the right to know that they might be putting their lives in danger. Engaging in an sexual relationship is a somehow a question of trust, and letting the other one know your status is part of that.

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