Opposing AIDS Discrimination 1986 General Resolution

BECAUSE, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association covenant to affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person, and to promote justice, equity and compassion in human relations; and

BECAUSE, we are members of the interdependent web of existence and therefore responsible for one another and for the society in which we live; and

WHEREAS, on Friday, June 20, 1986, the US Department of Justice, Office of Legal Counsel, concluded that an employer's fear of the spread of AIDS, whether reasonable or not, constitutes grounds for dismissal; and

WHEREAS, this opinion is clearly contrary to the spirit of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the September 1985 ruling of the US Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit; and

WHEREAS, the Center for Disease Control and other experts and researchers working with AIDS have repeatedly and emphatically stated that the HTLV-III/LAV/HIV virus cannot be transmitted by casual contact; and

WHEREAS, there have been no documented cases of AIDS transmitted to co-workers, health care workers, family or friends in routine contact with persons with AIDS or persons tested positive for the HTLV-III/LAV/HIV antibodies; and

WHEREAS, the Justice Department opinion is a gross violation of civil rights and could apply to as many as two million Americans who currently would test positive for the HTLV-III/LAV/HIV antibodies;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the 1986 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association opposes discrimination based on AIDS, the fear of AIDS, or the presence of the HTLV-III/LAV/HIV antibodies; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That a copy of this resolution be sent immediately to the President of the United States, the US Attorney General, and all members of Congress; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That UUA Canadian societies study the parallels in Canada, and take action in a manner consonant with the intent of this resolution; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the UUA, its member societies and affiliate organizations be urged to promote programs which provide education about the cause of AIDS, how AIDS is transmitted, the real risks of casual contact and which generally increase community awareness about AIDS; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED: That the UUA, its member societies and affiliate organizations be urged to support such action as will ensure the civil rights of persons with AIDS and those who test positive to the HTLV-III/LAV/HIV antibodies.