Submitted on: October 11, 1993

   SEATTLE (AP) -- A nursing assistant fired from his hospital job for
refusing to cover up a tattoo that says he has the AIDS virus was the
victim of illegal bias against disabled people, a federal agency has
ruled.  
   John Baldetta, 28, said he hoped to return to work at Harborview
Medical Center, which fired him Jan. 13 from his job bathing, feeding
and moving patients.  
   But the hospital, which is affiliated with the University of
Washington, is objecting to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
finding.  
   Harborview spokeswoman Tina Mankowski said hospital officials "have
asked for a reconsideration, and we're going to be discussing the
matter further later this month."  
   The EEOC office in Seattle ruled Aug. 20 that the hospital broke the
federal law protecting disabled people from bias when it fired
Baldetta. The 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act applies to people
infected with HIV, which causes AIDS.  
   Baldetta, who had his left forearm tattooed with the words: HIV
POSITIVE, said this week he was "very surprised, very pleased" with the
finding by Jeanette M. Leino, an EEOC deputy district director.  
   "I want this to be a good teaching experience for Harborview and
other employers that ignorance and hate ... won't be tolerated any
longer," Baldetta said from Bellingham, where he was staying with
relatives.  
   EEOC officials scheduled a Sept. 30 meeting with hospital officials,
Baldetta said.  
   Hospital officials had said they were worried about patient reaction
to Baldetta's tattoo. But Leino said that fear was based on
speculation.