Positive Step on AIDS

The preliminary passage of a Los Angeles County anti-discrimination ordinance, protecting those with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS, is a constructive step. It would put into effect the implementation of a key recommendation of the Presidential Commission on the HIV Epidemic.

Municipal Judge Rand Schrader, vice chairman of the county AIDS Commission, urged passage of the ordinance because it makes “clear and unequivocal” the position of the Board of Supervisors, just as the Los Angeles City Council made its position clear in 1985 with the adoption of a municipal anti-discrimination law. He was right. And making that clear in the county is of particular importance because the county ranks second in the nation in the incidence of AIDS.

The vote was by the narrowest possible margin, however, with Supervisors Pete Schabarum and Mike Antonovich voting in opposition. The majority of three was made up of Supervisors Deane Dana, Kenneth Hahn and Ed Edelman.

There were signs that the opposition was based on misunderstandings. Antonovich argued that it would duplicate federal and state laws. He had perhaps forgotten that the radical right forced out of federal legislation proposals for broad protections against discrimination and that Gov. George Deukmejian had vetoed state legislation last October that would have extended protections to those who test positive to the virus but who may not yet have AIDS. Protection of those with the virus but without symptoms of the disease is an important provision of the county ordinance. Furthermore, it was argued that this would be a costly venture when, in fact, it will not be because it provides only for recourse to the civil courts or the county dispute-resolution program in the event of violations.

The community will be well served if the supervisors can now move ahead on other critical questions related to the AIDS pandemic. Until now, there has not been majority support for more candid informational programs targeted on high-risk populations. And only Edelman of the five supervisors thus far has supported the proposal of the county AIDS Commission for a campaign directed at intravenous drug users that would include the distribution of bleach for cleaning needles and of condoms to encourage safer sex. These programs have been proved effective in other communities, and delays in their implementation only raise the risk of an accelerated spread of the infection.