The anti-prostitution loyalty oath (APLO) is a regulation that has been part of the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 2003 (aka “Leadership Act”) which requires non-governmental organizations and health service-providers receiving that receive funding through the President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to sign an oath opposing prostitution and sex-trafficking. “Opposing prostitution” manifests in a peculiar way that essentially blocks life-saving services that sex workers once received through US funded organizations around the world. The APLO makes it impossible for organizations that serve sex workers to get funding, and halts the distribution of condoms, among other services.

Learn more about the history of the APLO through these resources collected by the Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE).

You can also watch a thirteen minute video, Taking the Pledge, featuring sex workers speaking out about the effect that the APLO has had on their lives.

Over the next few days, we have the opportunity to sign on to a really great letter to the Department of Health and Human Services that submits comments on the harm that the APLO does.

The turn around on this is tight – if you want to sign on to the letter, send your name and organizational affiliation (if any) by TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22. The comments will then go to Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at the Office of Global Affairs.