Kiwi Court Cuts Slack on Disclosure

A New Zealand court ruled in October that HIVers aren't legally required to disclose their serostatus to sex partners as long as they use safer-sex practices. The case involved an HIV-positive man who hid his infection from his girlfriend. Judge Susan Thomas stated that because the man consistently used condoms during intercourse, there was no legal need to reveal his infection. 'The evidence of health experts in this area is that the use of a condom for vaginal intercourse is sufficient for the prevention of the transmission of HIV and that this can be met without the requirement for disclosure,' Thomas said. The man's attorney says he hopes the decision will eventually be applied to HIV-disclosure laws around the world.