Doe v. American Stores Co.

DECISION AND ORDER

MYRON L. GORDON, District Judge.

The plaintiff, who is proceeding under the pseudonym “John Doe”, has AIDS. He kept this fact secret from all but his family, close friends and those who gave him medical care. The fact became public, however, when the defendants, owners of the “Oseo” chain of drug stores, published a letter of appreciation that Mr. Doe had written to an Oseo supervisor. His letter did not explicitly disclose that he had AIDS, but it mentioned that he was struggling with a terminal illness and that he depended on dozens of prescriptions to stay alive. The…