Final answer:
It is illegal for Landlord B to refuse to rent apartments to individuals who are HIV positive, as protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which includes HIV/AIDS as a disability. This discriminatory action goes against the historical legal progress made in protecting the rights of those with HIV/AIDS and the LGBTQ+ community.
Step-by-step explanation:
Refusing to rent apartments to individuals who are HIV positive is illegal. This type of discrimination is protected under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including housing. Given that HIV/AIDS is considered a disability under the ADA, Landlord B's actions would be in violation of this law. This form of discrimination also reflects a historical pattern of injustices towards those with HIV/AIDS and members of the LGBTQ+ community, as seen in landmark cases like that of Miguel Braschi, as well as the broader struggle for equal rights for same-sex couples and others impacted by the AIDS epidemic.
The ADA was specifically designed to ensure that people with disabilities, like those living with HIV/AIDS, are not excluded from participating in major life activities, including accessing housing. Moreover, the effort to combat discrimination and retrospective scapegoating of those with AIDS is part of a larger cultural and legal shift towards the normalization and protection of individuals' rights regardless of their health status or sexual orientation.