HIV
Advances in medical treatment mean that an HIV diagnosis is no longer the death sentence it seemed to be in the 1980s. People living with HIV are thriving in every walk of life. Nonetheless, people living with HIV continue to suffer the effects of stigma, prejudice, and misunderstanding about HIV.
The ACLU works to defend and advance the civil rights and civil liberties of people living with HIV. We’re committed to fighting against laws that criminalize living with HIV. We also seek to make sure that people living with HIV in prison or jail have access to the medical care they need and have their medical confidentiality respected. Over the years, we have also worked to address and prevent HIV-based discrimination by employers, medical providers, and others through litigation and advocacy toward better laws and policies.
The ACLU HIV Project seeks to create a just society for all people living with HIV regardless of race or income. Through litigation, lobbying, public education, and organizing, we work to build a country where our communities can live openly without discrimination and enjoy equal rights, personal autonomy, and freedom of expression and association.
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What You Need To Know
- 1.1 millionThere are currently about 1.1 million people living with HIV infection in the United States.
- 3,900+Between 1997 and 2013, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission received more than 3,900 complaints alleging ADA violations based on a person’s HIV status.
- 2Recent CDC statistics show that the prevalence of HIV among people living below the poverty line is two times greater than that of those living above it, with the highest HIV rates among people with an annual household income under $10,000.
Current Issues

The ACLU HIV Project uses impact litigation, public education, and advocacy at the state and federal levels to fight discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS.
People living with HIV/AIDS are disproportionately incarcerated. While in prison, they face widespread discrimination and difficulty accessing appropriate medical care. Misguided laws that criminalize HIV/AIDS exposure make matters worse and are both bad public health and discriminatory.