First rally on Parliament Hill to protest criminalization of HIV

Activists, PHAs and MPs speak out against the law

The first protest against the criminalization of HIV in Canada was held on Parliament Hill yesterday. The protest was organized by the group Legalize AIDS and included activists, MPs, people living with HIV/AIDS (PHAs) and allies. They joined together to speak out against the criminal prosecution of HIV-positive people and the negative impact of the US travel ban on PHAs.

Protesters carrying signs such as ‘people don’t get tested if we criminalize HIV’ and ‘education not criminalization’ gathered to listen to MPs Libby Davies, Bill Siksay and Hedy Fry speak out against criminalization. AIDs activists David Hoe and Jay Koornstra spoke of personal experiences and the need for change in Canadian law and the impact of the US travel ban against HIV positive people.

Keep Reading

Who gets to claim parental rights?

Xtra and TVO’s Unravelled partnered on this mini-doc diving into what "parental rights" policies mean for kids and parents across Canada

Second Alberta town votes to ban Pride flags, rainbow crosswalks

Barrhead residents voted this week in favour of new “neutrality” bylaw

Xtra Explains: Parental rights

What does Canadian law actually say when it comes to the rights of parents and trans kids?

Xtra Explains: Social vs. medical transition

Media and politicians like to fixate on the medical aspects of transition. But for most trans youth, social transition plays a much bigger part in their lives