West Hollywood
The City Council, acting on a motion by Councilman Steve Schulte, directed the city attorney last week to draft an ordinance protecting AIDS victims from discrimination.
Schulte said the law was needed to “protect people with AIDS and . . . educate the public to the serious ramifications of AIDS.” The disease, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, destroy’s the body’s ability to ward off infection and leaves victims prey to cancer and respiratory infections.
Colleen Johnson, assistant director of psychosocial services at AIDS Project Los Angeles, said the law was needed in West Hollywood, which has the largest concentration of AIDS cases in the Los Angeles area.
“People with AIDS have a great deal of difficulty pursuing discrimination cases against them,” Johnson said, “especially because it takes a great deal of energy, which they often lack because of the disease.”
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