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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Amelia Abraham

‘I lost my retirement, my career, my home’: the Americans imprisoned for being HIV-positive

man holds sign that says 'all people with HIV are innocent'
Activists in Manhattan demonstrate against criminal laws based on HIV status on 9 November. Photograph: Erik McGregor/LightRocket/Getty Images

Robert Suttle was 30 when he was arrested and imprisoned for the felony of “intentional exposure to the Aids virus”. He had met the man at a gay club on New Year’s Eve 2007 and they had quickly begun a relationship.

Suttle says he disclosed his status as HIV-positive to his partner immediately. However, when the couple separated a few months later, the man pressed charges claiming that Suttle had not disclosed his status. Suttle now views this as “retaliation” over the breakup.

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