About Our Advocacy

Nashville CARES Advocacy works in tandem with the Tennessee AIDS Advocacy Network [TAAN] to fight for the HIV community to live with dignity and respect through legislative and grassroots work. Nashville CARES and TAAN have been working on HIV law modernization for many years and have made incredible strides over the last few years. Modernizing the current criminalization laws for people living with HIV is necessary to de-stigmatize people living with HIV and create a safer and more equitable state for them to live.

Prior to July 2023, Tennessee law stated that if a person living with HIV knowingly exposes another individual, they were subject to a penalty of a Class C felony and included the requirement that the offender be listed on the sex offender registry for a violent sexual offense. The law did not require actual transmission of HIV, nor did it draw a distinction between intentional harm, consensual relationships, or protective measures that may have been taken to prevent transmission.

Nashville CARES Advocacy and TAAN brought a bill (HB0832/SB0807) to the Tennessee state legislature during the 113th General Assembly that would eliminate the requirement that those convicted of HIV Criminal Exposure be placed on the sex offender registry. After a defeat in the House in the 2022 session, the bills were reintroduced in 2023 with a new House sponsor.  The legislation was approved, and the bill signed into law effective 7/1/2023 (TCA 39-13-109).  While HIV criminal exposure is still considered a Class C Felony, the law now provides a pathway for those convicted to petition to be removed from the Sex Offender Registry and removes the registration requirement going forward.

However, we continue to believe that using HIV to criminally punish anyone living with HIV is simply wrong. There are other laws on the books in Tennessee that continue to criminalize people living with HIV.  Other advocates have worked with legislators to introduce legislation that would repeal the criminal exposure law along with making changes to the statute that enhances penalties for anyone who is convicted of aggravated prostitution (engaging in sex work while HIV+).  TAAN and Nashville CARES support these efforts and will continue to push forward, educate, and fight for change to modernize and decriminalize people living with HIV in the state of Tennessee.

Get involved and become an advocate!

Contact
Paula D. Foster, LCSW
Advocacy & Special Projects Coordinator
615-294-1319
taan@nashvillecares.org

You can Register to Vote HERE.

Click HERE to find your local representatives.

Our mission is to improve awareness among policymakers and the public about HIV/AIDS as a continuing public health priority within our state and the United States as a whole. Our goal is to preserve, expand, and strengthen the safety net of HIV prevention, care, treatment, and support that addresses the needs of our fellow citizens at risk for or living with HIV and AIDS.

We work in cooperation with the Tennessee Department of Health’s HIV/AIDS/STD Services Section to ensure a coordinated, compassionate and cost-effective response to HIV/AIDS in our communities. TAAN is facilitated and supported by Nashville CARES, Tennessee’s leading community-based HIV/AIDS service organization. CARES serves as a fiscal agent for the network. TAAN members may be individuals, non-profit organizations, civic associations, and government or business entities who agree with the mission of TAAN and agree to share contact information for communication and mobilization. The TAAN list is kept confidential and never shared with any other group or organization.

Participation in TAAN is no indication of an individual’s HIV status, whether positive or negative. HIV/AIDS affects all of us, and everyone is welcome to participate in our work.

You can Register to Vote HERE.

Click HERE to find your local representatives.

The Tennessee AIDS Advocacy Network (TAAN) works to create a Tennessee that is free from stigma and discrimination and provides mutual support for people living with HIV and affected communities through outreach and public education, policy advocacy, and community-building. TAAN works to build political power at the local level, TN General Assembly and the Governor’s Office, and with our federal delegation in Washington, DC.

You can Register to Vote HERE.

Click HERE to find your local representatives.

As a member of the TN AIDS Action Network Volunteer Team, you will be part of a community of more than 500 dedicated Tennesseans who give their time and energy to fight for the rights of people living with HIV and those at risk in our state.

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The Tennessee AIDS Advocacy Network (TAAN) works to build political power at the local level, TN General Assembly, the Governor's Office, and with our federal delegation in Washington, CD.

TAAN works to educate people living with HIV/AIDS, their care providers, and their allies about state and federal HIV policy issues affecting access to care and broader health and wellness issues for people living with and at risk for HIV/AIDS.

You can Register to Vote HERE.

Click HERE to find your local representatives.

2024 HIV Advocacy Day on the Hill: March 26th & 27th.

TAAN and Nashville CARES take a group of advocates to meet with Tennessee state legislators and discuss the modernization of TN’s HIV laws. Building relationships and meeting representatives is crucial to make change. Advocates will meet with bill sponsors, Senators, and Representatives and bring their voices to the state capitol!

If you would like to join us in the upcoming year click HERE to register.

You can Register to Vote HERE.

Click HERE to find your local representatives.

There are many valuable resources to help educate us on policies and laws that affect those living with HIV.

You can Register to Vote HERE.

Click HERE to find your local representatives.