Nah, Sis! PrEP Violates Religious Freedom in Texas Court

Judge Reed O’Connor of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas ruled on Wednesday that the Affordable Care Act’s process for determining what must be completely covered by private health insurance is unconstitutional.

Let's start with the obvious issue here: HIV is not a gay disease. In fact to the contrary, for the first time in 10 years, HIV has affected heterosexual people more than it has gay men. But ignoring that for a second, in what world does PREVENTING HIV seem like something anyone would be against?! PrEP does not prevent straight sex from achieving conception, so it shouldn't face the same issue of antagonism that things like birth control often do. This issue is straight up just rooted in good old-fashioned homophobia.

The ruling came as part of a lawsuit involving Braidwood Management, the owner of which is Steven F. Hotze, a long-time Republican donor based in Austin, Texas. In his ruling, O'Connor said, "The PrEP mandate substantially burdens the religious exercise of Braidwood’s owners,” adding that Hotze believes [and O'Connor, therefore, endorses the notion] that covering PrEP “facilitates and encourages homosexual behavior, intravenous drug use[,] and sexual activity outside of marriage between one man and one woman.”

Needless to say, countless medical organizations have come out publicly against the judge's homophobic ruling, not the least of whom was the American Medical Association. Dr. Jack Resneck, AMA President, said in a statement, “Today’s ruling throws into jeopardy key preventive health services that reduce the incidence of H.I.V. and other health conditions or disease." He goes on to say, “The data are clear that PrEP works, with new H.I.V. infections falling 8 percent from 2015 to 2019, in part due to this drug and its increased use.” Reminding everyone of the gravity of such a ruling, Dr. Resneck added, “Stripping this key coverage mandate is inequitable, harmful, and will make people sicker."

Look, it's really simple: once again the gays are being attacked by republicans and we need to fight back. The Midterms are in November. Are you registered to vote? Find out here quickly and easily.

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