In a major decision, a federal judge ruled that the United States military cannot discharge soldiers solely because they’re HIV positive, the Associated Press reports.
U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema of the Eastern District of Virginia determined that the previous restriction cited by the military–that HIV positive personnel could not be deployed worldwide because of their medical needs–is no longer the case with medications and treatments available on the market today.
“The military was the last employer in the country that had a policy against people living with HIV. Every other employer — including first responders — is subject to rules that prohibit discrimination based on HIV status,” Peter Perkowski, an attorney for the plaintiffs said, calling the decision it “a landmark victory — probably the biggest ruling in favor of people living with HIV in the last 20 years.”