Nashville Agrees to Allow Police Officers with HIV in Landmark Legal Settlement

In a groundbreaking legal settlement, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department has agreed to change its policies regarding HIV-positive individuals applying to serve as police officers.

The settlement comes as a result of a federal discrimination lawsuit filed by a former Memphis police officer, identified as John Doe, who was denied a job offer by the Nashville police in 2020 due to his HIV status. Despite medical evidence confirming that his condition posed no risk to others, the job offer was rescinded based on existing regulations that excluded individuals with HIV from serving as police officers.

As part of the settlement, Nashville has voted to amend its charter and has agreed to pay John Doe $145,000 in damages. Furthermore, the city will revise its civil service medical examiner's policies to ensure that all candidates are individually assessed for their health and fitness to serve as first responders or police officers, regardless of their HIV status.

Advancements in Medicine

Lambda Legal attorney Jose Abrigo emphasized the progress in medical treatment for HIV, stating that individuals with HIV can lead normal lives and should not face discrimination in employment opportunities. The settlement is seen as a significant step in combating stigma and updating laws to align with modern scientific understanding of HIV.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Justice Department recently filed a lawsuit against the state of Tennessee over a law that imposes harsher penalties on individuals living with HIV convicted of engaging in sex work. Tennessee is the only state that enforces lifetime registration as a "violent sex offender" for individuals in this situation, a move that has been deemed discriminatory and illegal by the Justice Department.

As the legal landscape continues to evolve, these developments mark important strides in protecting the rights of individuals living with HIV and ensuring equal opportunities in employment and criminal justice.