Americans with well-treated HIV can no longer be barred from enlisting in the U.S. military, a federal judge ruled Thursday -- striking down the Pentagon’s last remaining policy limiting the service of those with the virus.
Policies prohibiting the accession of asymptomatic HIV-positive individuals with undetectable viral loads into the military are irrational, arbitrary, and capricious. Even worse, they contribute to the ongoing stigma surrounding HIV-positive individuals while actively hampering the military’s own recruitment goals,” wrote Judge Leonie Brinkema.
Employment discrimination against people living with HIV has been prohibited since 1998 under a Supreme Court interpretation of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. However, the Department of Defense — the world’s largest employer, has stood alone in continuing to limit employment opportunities for those living with HIV. More here from NBC News