'The Americans with Disabilities Act is enormously important to people with HIV/AIDS, as the Supreme Court has confirmed,' said HRC's Joe Solmonese.

WASHINGTON - Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese made the following statement in honor of the 15th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act on Tuesday, July 26, 2005:

"The Americans with Disabilities Act is enormously important to people with HIV/AIDS, as the Supreme Court has confirmed. A decision by the court bolstered its importance in 1998 when it ruled that the law protected people living with HIV without symptoms from discrimination. Had it not been for that narrow Supreme Court decision, millions would be unprotected from discrimination.

"When it comes living a full life for people living with HIV/AIDS, protection from discrimination goes hand-in-hand with access to life-saving drugs. As we celebrate the importance of the ADA in helping to turn the nation around from the fear and ugly discrimination we saw when the epidemic first started, we must also work to ensure people have the medical treatment they need."

The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.