Target Audience: Researchers interested in the underlying legal issues in the movie, Philadelphia, and current HIV/AIDS discrimination litigation
Learning Outcomes:
1. Participants will be able to track the progress of the case law relating to discrimination based on HIV/AIDS status.
2. Participants will be able to list and discuss the issues raised in cases of employer discrimination against employees based on HIV/AIDS status.
Clarence B. Cain was a standout student at the University of Virginia Law School in the 1970s. He is credited with touching the lives of hundreds of students by serving as a mentor before mentorship was popular. After graduation, Cain rose in the ranks at Hyatt Legal Services to a regional directorship until he was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and fired. Though successful in a law suit against his employer, Cain did not live to see the verdict or the movie, Philadelphia, largely based on his life. Professor Burris, noted scholar on HIV/AIDS issues and a consultant on the movie, will talk about the Cain case and bring the issues still faced based on HIV/AIDS status to the present with Ronda B. Goldfein, Executive Director of the AIDS Law Project of Philadelphia.