Rising Santa Clara Law 3L Nikole Slaton’s work was featured in a recent article from Forbes magazine.
Slaton, an intern for Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE), co-authored an article in Forbes with Terri Wilder, MSW, an HIV/Aging Policy Advocate with SAGE. The article highlights many stories from elderly patients, touching on important points of interest surrounding HIV testing and improved care for the elderly. The article wields a powerful call to action: “Prioritizing the well-being of older community members requires expanding HIV testing and providing them with deserving care. […] Each of us has a role in raising awareness, challenging ageist stereotypes, and advocating for the removal of the CDC’s upper age limit recommendation on HIV testing.”
Slaton’s interest in the topic of aging and HIV was spurred by her internship with SAGE. “Through my internship with SAGE,” Slaton comments, “I have been able to research the most pressing issues at the intersection of LGBTQIA+ human rights and aging. When presented with the opportunity to write for Forbes, we already knew that we wanted to take the opportunity to not only bring the disparity in HIV testing to light but to encourage people from all walks of life to join us in fighting to end the HIV epidemic in this country.” Slaton’s message to her readers is simple: “I hope that people will walk away from the article more willing to question and expand policy where we have the opportunity to serve more of the population.”
Santa Clara Law offers internships—much like Slaton’s—to its students through the Center for Social Justice and Public Service. In partnering with local firms and promoting experiential learning, the Center is dedicated to advocating for a commitment to social justice through law.
See more about the Center for Social Justice and Public Service
