The State - News from Nov. 25, 1987

An ordinance that prohibits discrimination against people with AIDS or related conditions was approved by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. The measure, which is similar to ones passed in San Francisco, Los Angeles and several other California cities and counties, was drafted by a county task force on acquired immune deficiency syndrome and was unanimously approved by the supervisors. “The AIDS virus does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or national origin and neither should the county,” said Elizabeth Birch, an attorney who assisted the task force. “The more repressive the laws, the more we drive this disease underground.” The ordinance makes it illegal to refuse housing, employment, property loans, medical care or business services to anyone solely because the person has AIDS or has a high risk of developing it. Violators would pay a minimum $1,000 fine. It makes exceptions for blood banks, sperm banks or organ donation centers.