September 29, 2009

HIV-Positive Maryland Teacher Settles Bias Suit

Chauncey Stevenson, a teacher fired from a private school for being HIV positive, has settled his lawsuit against Chesapeake Academy in Ann Arundel County, Maryland, reports The Baltimore Sun.

According to the article, Chauncey lost his job in 2006 after disclosing his status and missing most of the academic year because of illness. Stevenson is to receive a monetary settlement of $79,750.

Chesapeake Academy has not admitted wrongdoing, but, moving forward, it must teach its supervisors about the Americans With Disabilities Act, which requires employers to accommodate workers with disabilities.

“People living with HIV and AIDS should not be discriminated against because of their disability, and they should be treated with sensitivity,” Stevenson said.

“As long as employers continue to make employment decisions based on uninformed prejudices and irrational fears, we will continue to bring lawsuits like this,” said Debra Lawrence, acting regional attorney of The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, who sued the school on Stevenson’s behalf.

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David, , 2009-10-01 13:39:15
Ignorance of information about HIV and AIDS as well as destigmatization are what is needed as a component in fighting this dreaded disease. We advocate for people to be tested and know their status but are hard pressed to defend this step when the stigma and discrimination is still so prevalent.

James, Minneapolis, 2009-09-30 10:26:33
good. I'm glad he won. More HIV poz people should sue. Sue for anything because the USA treats us like crap.