Queensland Positive People (QPP) is proud to announce the launch of “Disclosing your HIV status”, a guide for Queensland people living with HIV (PLHIV) to navigate legal issues and disclosure.
The guide has been prepared by the HIV/AIDS Legal Centre (HALC) in partnership with QPP. The booklet aims to be used as an empowerment resource for PLHIV containing the most up-to-date and accurate information (as at June 2018) about relevant law on disclosure of HIV status in Queensland.
Disclosure of HIV status is one of the main areas where the law affects the lives of people living with HIV. In an easy-to-read style, this guide will help the community to understand some of the legal issues when thinking about disclosing their HIV status; or when someone else is asking them to. This guide may also help people such as counsellors and social workers who offer support services for people living with HIV.
Some of the legal issues covered in the guide go across a range of areas such as employment; sex and relationships; housing; travel; finances; police and the courts; and many others. It also provides a comprehensive approach when navigating disclosure using the ‘5Ws’ method (Who, What, When, Where and Why). This method considers the unique lived experience of a person living with HIV and enables the community to be well prepared to disclose their status.
Simon O’Connor, Executive Officer of QPP, believes that understanding legal issues when disclosing HIV status is essential to people living with HIV. “As a PLHIV organisation, we believe that empowering our community with accessible knowledge can play a fundamental role in reducing stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV. This guide acts as a tool to assist Queenslanders to take ownership of their health and to better understand the implications when considering disclosure in relation to the law in Queensland.”
However, this guide does not contain legal advice and it is not intended to be a substitute for it. The booklet is to be used as a guide only and it recommends to seek further advice before taking any action, if necessary.
The booklet will be distributed at sexual health clinics, LGBTQI+ services, S100 prescribers and other external service providers. It can also be accessed through the QPP website (www.qpp.org.au/information/videos-resources/) or ordered via email at info@qpp.org.au.
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For media enquiries, please contact:
Simon O’Connor
QPP Executive Officer
E: info@qpp.org.au
P: 07 3013 5555
