Aids Ordinance

The membership of Action (AIDS Coalition to Identify Orange County Needs) was greatly disappointed at the recent decision to reject the proposed AIDS non-discrimination ordinance. This ordinance was proposed and supported by the county supervisors' own Health Care Agency staff and is consistent with similar proposals being implemented in communities throughout California and the nation. We are seriously concerned that the board's failure to pass the ordinance sends the message that discrimination against persons with AIDS or those perceived to have HIV/AIDS is acceptable and appropriate in Orange County.

The membership of Action (AIDS Coalition to Identify Orange County Needs) was greatly disappointed at the recent decision to reject the proposed AIDS non-discrimination ordinance. This ordinance was proposed and supported by the county supervisors' own Health Care Agency staff and is consistent with similar proposals being implemented in communities throughout California and the nation. We are seriously concerned that the board's failure to pass the ordinance sends the message that discrimination against persons with AIDS or those perceived to have HIV/AIDS is acceptable and appropriate in Orange County.

Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley today signed into law a city ordinance banning discrimination against AIDS victims. The law is believed to be the first of its kind in the nation. The new law prohibits discrimination in housing, employment, business and public services. Violators would be subject to civil suits filed by the city attorney's office. A similar ordinance was passed Thursday night by the city of West Hollywood.

Once again the right-wing reactionaries are pushing their will onto the majority of us who aren't fundamentalists. I'm referring to the defeat of the AIDS anti-discrimination vote of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. When will these alleged do-gooders realize that their medieval values are not those of the general population? Who appointed them the omniscient overseers of the values and morals of others? Louis Sheldon says he serves those "religious persons of any persuasion who believe there are moral absolutes."

It truly must be realized by even the religious Christian fundamentalists that their "victory" in pressuring the Orange County Board of Supervisors to reject the AIDS anti-discrimination bill is indeed a perverse win. Just how proud can these people be in knowing that they have assisted in denying to the sick, the dying and others so afflicted, the right to job protection and housing in their time of great and often desperate need. Such intolerance has no place in the American family and certainly not in the American church.

After 120 protesters objected to an ordinance banning discrimination against AIDS victims, Pasadena's ruling body postponed a scheduled vote on final approval of the measure. The Pasadena Board of Directors put off the vote until next week to allow more testimony after the appearance of about 120 protesters who said the ordinance was morally wrong and a danger to public health.

After 120 protesters objected to an ordinance banning discrimination against AIDS victims, Pasadena's ruling body postponed a scheduled vote on final approval of the measure. The Pasadena Board of Directors put off the vote until next week to allow more testimony after the appearance of about 120 protesters who said the ordinance was morally wrong and a danger to public health.

The Board of Directors has tentatively approved an ordinance making it illegal to discriminate against people with acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Refusing housing, employment, medical treatment or other services to people because they have AIDS would be a misdemeanor punishable by six months in jail or a $1,000 fine, according to the city attorney's office. The ordinance is primarily aimed at making it easier for people with AIDS to take civil action against violators.