The State - News from May 6, 1986

An allegedly discriminatory practice aimed at denying life insurance to gay men because of acquired immune deficiency syndrome was challenged in a suit filed in San Francisco Superior Court by National Gay Rights Advocates. The suit focuses on a questionnaire given by Great Republic Insurance Co. of Santa Barbara to life insurance applicants who are unmarried, male and work in occupations the company described as “not requiring physical exertion,” such as restaurant employees, consultants, antique dealers, interior decorators and florists. The questionnaire asks about recent weight loss, “deviations from good health” and sexually transmitted diseases and immune disorders. The suit alleges that the company targets gay men for discrimination.