AP: Doctors settle case for denying lesbian treatment

AP reports:

A California woman has settled a lawsuit against her former doctors who denied her artificial insemination based on her sexual orientation, attorneys for both sides said Tuesday.

Guadalupe Benitez, 36, of Oceanside, and her spouse sued doctors at North Coast Women's Medical Group in Vista for discrimination in 2001. California's highest court last year barred the Christian doctors from invoking religious beliefs, ruling state law prohibiting sexual orientation discrimination extends to the medical profession.

One of the values of non-discrimination laws is that they provide a basis for giving bad publicity to those who discriminate. The desire to minimize such attention can lead to settlements and an easier fight the next time, often without the trouble of going to trial.