California doctors can’t refuse treatment to gays on religious grounds, court rules

Doctors may not discriminate against gays and lesbians in medical treatment even if the procedures being sought conflict with physicians' religious beliefs, the California Supreme Court has decided unanimously. A spokesman for the California Medical Association said it opposes "invidious discrimination" and believes it is "not protected by a claim of a religious belief." The spokesman said he did not know what practical effect the decision would have on doctors and stressed that the group has no position on what the outcome of the lawsuit should have been.