Defending the Rights of People Living with HIV

Sticky Lawyers

An HIV-positive diagnosis can thankfully now be managed with antiretroviral drugs that keep infection levels nearly undetectable. However, the widespread fear and panic that accompanied the AIDS crisis in the 1980s created rampant panic and discrimination against HIV-positive people, especially gay men. And unfortunately, that discrimination still exists. Our guest today, Scott Schoettes, is an attorney and advocate for HIV-positive individuals, and he is also an HIV-positive gay man.

Scott's undergraduate studies led to a career in musical theater, including a national tour of “West Side Story.” But as he considered his second act in life, the death of Matthew Shepherd inspired his legal journey. Since then, Scott has advocated for HIV-positive individuals – especially those in the U.S. military — as Lambda Legal’s HIV project director, served as a member of the President’s Advisory Council on HIV-AIDS, and continues his work in private practice.
Listen as this sticky lawyer describes the legal and legislative battles that have resulted in restoring rights to the HIV/AIDS community.

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1. Defending the Rights of People Living with HIV (00:00:00)

2. How the ADA and the success of antiretroviral therapy changed the face of HIV and AIDS. (00:02:58)

3. Problematic judicial interpretations around the ADA’s definitions of disability. (00:06:12)

4. Scott’s work with foreign service officers and military members with HIV. (00:12:14)

5. Making a case to the military that HIV+ service members could serve. (00:17:33)

6. The delicacy of privacy for clients with HIV cases. (00:22:19)

7. An actor before pursuing law. (00:30:14)

8. Matthew Shepherd’s death helped propel Scott to a legal career. (00:32:17)

9. His career path after law school. (00:34:43)

10. Scott’s role on the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV-AIDS. (00:38:32)

11. Current cases and focus. (00:43:49)