Parties Settle In Lesbian's Suit Against California Clinic

Last year in North Coast Women's Care Medical Group, Inc. v. San Diego County Superior Court, (CA Sup. Ct., Aug. 18, 2008), the California Supreme Court held unanimously that a medical clinic's physicians are prohibited by the Unruh Civil Rights Act from discriminating against patients on the basis of sexual orientation. The holding came in a lawsuit by an unmarried lesbian patient. Two Christian doctors at the clinic refused on religious grounds to give her artificial insemination. As the case headed for trial on remand, North County (CA) Times yesterday reported that the parties have now settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed sum of money in a settlement described as mutually agreeable.