LOS ANGELES — The Free Speech Coalition today issued a press release titled, “The Importance of SB 239,” which analyzes the new law that repeals provisions for criminal penalties involving unprotected sex and communicable diseases.
Mike Stabile, the adult trade group’s communications director, said the release was issued because of “confusion in the mainstream media” about SB 239.
Earlier this month, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill that lowers from a felony to a misdemeanor the crime of knowingly exposing a sexual partner to HIV without disclosing the infection.
“We wanted to help clarify and explain why we supported (and still support) this important measure,” Stabile said.
The FSC in the release that “by working on and supporting legislation that actually works to prevent transmission, we move toward a safer, saner workplace.”
“SB 239 modifies outdated laws criminalizing HIV, some of which date back to the height of the AIDS crisis, at a time when religious conservatives stoked fears that gay men and others with HIV were purposefully infecting unsuspecting partners. It was an urban myth then, and still is,” the FSC said.
The FSC’s full press release can be read here.
