We are disappointed by the Supreme Court’s failure to protect the health of young people with today’s decision in United States Agency for International Development v. Alliance for Open Society International, Inc . 

Requiring that affiliates of US organizations abroad oppose “prostitution and sex trafficking” upon receiving US foreign assistance funding for HIV/AIDS, the issue under discussion in this case undermines rights-based approaches to HIV prevention, testing, treatment, care and support. For nongovernmental organizations and their affiliates working with and supporting commercial sex workers, who are at high risk of acquiring HIV and less likely to be able to access testing and treatment in many parts of the world, such a requirement only fuels stigma and discrimination and runs counter to HIV prevention efforts and programming to support those living with HIV.  We’re working to expand HIV testing, prevention, treatment, and care, not limit it, and it’s unfortunate that the Supreme Court supports pointless barriers to these efforts.