February 28th 2022 marked the inaugural observation of HIV is Not a Crime (HIVNAC) Awareness Day , which is launched by The Sero Project with The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF) as a collaborating partner. The date for HIVNAC is symbolic, as it marks the end of National Black History Month and the beginning of National Women’s History Month—two demographics that are disproportionately impacted by both the HIV epidemic and HIV criminalization.
The day will increase awareness of laws around the country that criminalize HIV and the efforts underway and already in effect in states around the country, where laws have been modernized or fully repealed.