Canada Must Take a Human Rights-Based Approach to HIV Self-Testing

On International Testing Week, more than 40 organizations from across Canada sign statement of support This statement can be attributed to the HIV Legal Network, HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario and the Canadian AIDS Society. Toronto, ON (November 23, 2023) – Today, more than 40 health and human rights organizations across the country have … Read more

Statement: A human rights–based approach to HIV self-testing

HIV self-testing is a powerful tool, particularly if delivered through an approach that meets people where they are. Making self-tests available can promote uptake by offering people privacy, independence, and control as they decide when and where to take an HIV test. By increasing access and empowering individuals, HIV self-testing is an innovative way to … Read more

Media Release: Sex workers are deeply disappointed with the Ontario Superior Court decision dismissing systemic harms experienced

SEPTEMBER 18, 2023 BY CASWLR Monday, September 18, 2023 — Today, the Ontario Superior Court released its decision in CASWLR v Attorney General (Canada), a case that sought to strike down harmful provisions of the Protection of Communities and Exploited People Act (PCEPA) on the grounds that they violate sex workers’ Charter rights. Sex workers across Canada are devastated to learn that … Read more

Jamaican court blocks LGBTQ+ rights challenge from moving forward

The Jamaican Supreme Court determined last Friday that the so-called “saving laws clause” in the Jamaican constitution prevents it from inquiring into the constitutionality of the three sections of the Offences Against the Person Act that criminalize same-sex intimacy. This misguided decision denies Jamaicans the means to protect their constitutional and human rights, and further … Read more

Remembering Our Friend Ron Rosenes

Ron Rosenes was a lover of life and people. He advocated for people living with HIV and AIDS, and for human rights within the 2SLGBTQ+ community. He loved the arts, had a sharp wit (complemented by a very snappy style), and was a calming and confident presence for so many of us. The world was … Read more

Together we can end the harmful “War on Drugs”

Today — International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) — is not just a day of reflection but a call to action. It is a plea to governments, organizations, and individuals to come together and prioritize life, health, and dignity above prejudice and stigma as we push toward a world where people who use substances are met with … Read more

Summary of R. v. J.A., 2023 ONCA 12

Introduction In January 2023, the Court of Appeal for Ontario released its decision in the case of R. v. J.A., concerning the appeal of a man who had been convicted of two counts of first-degree murder, ten counts of aggravated sexual assault, and one count of attempted aggravated sexual assault in relation to HIV non-disclosure. … Read more

Toronto Needs a New Mayor that Prioritizes Evidence-Based Drug Policy

Toronto stands on the cusp of significant change as we move closer to installing a new mayor. In the past few years, against the backdrop of the drug poisoning crisis devasting this country, the issue of drug decriminalization has moved from the shadows of policy discussion to the centre stage of political debate. It is … Read more