Lawsuit: Louisiana sheriff rejected applicant because of HIV

A Louisiana man says a sheriff's office withdrew a job offer after finding out he has HIV, according to a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday.

"It's the equivalent of not hiring somebody because they had cancer or diabetes. It's not the 1980s any more. We don't have to be afraid," William "Liam" Pierce said in a telephone interview.

He said he was told in 2012 that he'd be hired as an Iberia Parish sheriff's deputy, subject to a medical examination. The offer was rescinded after the exam found he is healthy but has human immunodeficiency virus, the suit said.

"It was a punch in the gut ... ," Pierce said. "It was a done deal until they found out I was HIV positive. That was devastating."

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/lawsuit-louisiana-sheriff-rejected-applicant-hiv-50692954