Not Disclosing HIV Diagnosis From Sex Partners Is A 'Right,’ says International Planned Parenthood Federation

When Charlie Sheen was interviewed by Matt Lauer and was asked if he told every one of his sex partners before engaging in any sexual activities with them that he was HIV positive. The 50-year-old actor said "Yes, I have," he added "No exception."

Both Lauer and Sheen were of the idea that it was the right thing to do.

Although some of Charlie Sheen's former lovers have complained that he, allegedly, wasn't very upfront with them about his HIV diagnosis and have even sought the advice of a lawyer, nothing has still been proven yet.

However, the International Planned Parenthood Federation, of which Planned Parenthood Federation of America is an official affiliate, stated that a person has the right whether he or she wants to inform his or her partner that he or she is HIV positive, The Federalist report stated.

This information is actually found in the International Planned Parenthood Federation's booklet for HIV-positive youth which has a title "Healthy, Happy and Hot." The booklet says that "Young people living with HIV have the right to decide if, when, and how to disclose their HIV status." It mentions that "Sharing your HIV status is called disclosure. Your decision about whether to disclose may change with different people and situations. You have the right to decide if, when, and how to disclose your HIV status."

Does Planned Parenthood therefore thinks that it is a person's human right to risk exposing other people to a deadly condition without actually informing them? Most of the states of the union actually disagree with the organization.

Lauer had asked the "Anger Management" actor, "What about criminal charges? In 35 states if you or someone who is HIV positive... have sex with someone else without divulging it, you can be charged with a crime." Sheen told the veteran journalist that he understands the consequences.

The International Planned Parenthood Federation, however, is working to change this. According to the booklet, "Some countries have laws that say people living with HIV must tell their sexual partner(s) about their status before having sex, even if they use condoms or only engage in sexual activity with a low risk of giving HIV to someone else. These laws violate the rights of people living with HIV by forcing them to disclose or face the possibility of criminal charges." The pamphlet also provides tips on how to protect oneself from criminalization, and says that the best way is to tell your partner.