California man who was denied haircut because he was HIV positive wins his lawsuit

Nikko Briteramos | Photo: YouTube / lambdalegal

A man living in Los Angeles, California, was refused a haircut because of his Positive HIV status, won his case.

Nikko Briteramos went to King of Kuts, a hair salon at Leimert Park, in October 2017, after being refused service. He had gone to the hair salon before this incident. However, this time, a hairdresser who knew him informed the owner of the institution of HIV status of Briteramos.

Tuesday, June 4, the Central District of California has given reason to Briteramos.

The court entered the judgment on behalf of Briteramos.

To give a summary judgment means to search on behalf of one party rather than the other without a full trial. In this case, the factual presentation on both sides was sufficient for the judge to make a decision.

"This judgment is proof that what has happened to me in this barbershop and what happens to people living with HIV who are discriminated against by trying to do basic things in life like going to the dentist or getting a haircut is just not acceptable, "Briteramos said.

A victory against HIV stigma

"Such discriminatory practices date back to times close to the American Jim Crow period, and are just as unfair," continued Briteramos.

He added that he was grateful to have won his case to continue his work with Cut the Stigma, a public education campaign.

Black AIDS Institute and Lambda Legal launched Cut the Stigma in 2018. It works with Black businesses across the country to "dispel misconceptions about HIV transmission and reduce HIV stigma and discrimination."

Briteramos added that he wanted to "make people understand how much these moments of discrimination can be harmful for those who live daily with HIV and for the social fabric".

Anthony Pinggera, the Lambda Law Fellow who led the case, described the decision as a "terrible affirmation" and a "clear and forceful reprimand for intentional discrimination against people living with HIV."

"This is the end of Nikko's case, but our advocacy work for Black communities across the country on current issues of HIV discrimination continues," he said.

Raniyah Copeland, director of the Black AIDS Institute, concluded, "Nikko's experience shows that black people living with HIV face discrimination every day, but this judgment warns companies that discrimination will not be tolerated."

See also

Two men open to overcome loneliness when they live with HIV

Arizona repeals the law barring the education of LGBTI and HIV students

LGBTI responds to Trump's commitment to end HIV transmission by 2030