Newspaper Page Text
HTLV III TEST APPROVED
About two weeks after delaying the
approval for HTLV IH testing to begin,
Margaret Heckler, secretary of Health
and Human Services, has given the go
ahead to the test.
According to Ken South, Excecutive
Director of AID Atlanta, a group has
already met to discuss the procedures for
the test in Georgia.
An 800 number will be installed to give
information about the test and provide a
follow-up number for more information.
In addition, a media campaign is plann
ed to educate the public about the test, as
well as alternative testing to the blood
banks.
South stressed that even though
testing has started at the Red Cross, peo
ple are asked not to go there and if you
were tested your name would be added
to a donor denial list and the list could be
obtained through legal routes.
In addition, results from the Red Cross
would not be available for eight weeks
after the test was administered.
Testing should be available at the
Fulton County Health Department in the
very near future. At press time, pro
cedures and start up dates were still be
ing worked out.
Gay men are urged not to give blood to
receive the test and that great thought
should be given before taking the test as
a result of the ambiguous meaning of
results) said South.
The following is a statement by the Na
tional Gay Task force on the HTLV HI
virus test:
With the expected licensing by the US
food fold Drug Administration of the test
for antibodies to HTLV III/LAV, the virus
considered to be associated with AIDS, it
is important to state what we believe this
test does and does not do, what its
potential misuses are, and vyhat risks
members of the gay community face if
they take this test.
It is our recommendation that, except
in rare circumstances, this test should be
used ONLY in the context of screening
blood donations and as part of research
programs that guarantee strict confiden
tiality. Individuals should be aware that
this test will NOT provide answers to
such questions as: am I healthy? do I
have AIDS? am I a carrier of AIDS? have
I been exposed to AIDS? can I give AIDS
to someone else?
The HTLV III antibody test does not
diagnose AIDS. It simply treasures the
development of antibodies to the HTLV
HI virus. A positive test result showing
the presence of antibodies could mean
nothing more than exposure to the HTLV
IIL virus. It is not known whether in
dividuals with positive test results will go
on to develop AIDS, whether they will
be harmed by additional infection by the
virus, whether they are infectious, or
whether they are possibly immune.
Similarly, a negative test result does
not necessarily mean an individual has
not been exposed to the HTLV LH/LAV
virus. It could mean there has been no
prior exposure or infection by the virus,
that the individual is still in an incubation
period before development of the an
tibody, that there may have been a prior
infection and the antibody is no longer
detectable, that the test was performed
incorrectly, or that the test itself was
inaccurate.
Irrespective of test results, we
underscore the importance of all
members of high-risk groups continuing
to follow prevention guidelines that have
been put forward by AIDS service
organization, including the adoption of
safe sex practices. The declinin rates of
sexually transmitted diseases among gay
Vol. 1, No. 8 March 14,1985
THE ISSUE IS...
CHALLENGES—
COMING OUT
In this issue you'll find several articles
about last issue's subject—Coming Out;
some last minute advertising didn't leave
room for all the articles we had planned.
The news about the baths, the HTLV
III test and Dick Wiliams editorial might
be described in Mr. Dicken's words, "It
was the best of times, it was the worst of
times". Through rose colored glasses the
positive aspects of all these stories look
wonderful. Take the glasses off and ask a
few questions and lots of challenges
appear.
These challenges can, depending on
how we see them, be challenges to our
lifestyle or challenges for our lifestyle. Be
ing challenged by even an ambivalent
force doesn't feel good; having a
challenge to work on feels much better.
Wfe hope that you enjoy THE NEWS
and the challenge of being gay in Atlan
ta in 1985.
HELPLINE
(404) 892-0661
6 p.m. -11 p.m.
7 Days a Week
SAGA CONTINUES...
LOCKER ROOM AND CLUB ATLANTA
Last month, the Solicitor and the DA
filed a civil suit against Atlanta's two
bathhouses, Club Atlanta and the Locker
Room. The suit alleged that the two
establishments were public nuisances
and contributed to the spread of AIDS.
Several days later the Metro Vice
Squad, a group of law enforcement of
ficers from area law enforcement agen
cies, raided both baths and made ten
arrests.
The court date was set for February 28.
Before that date the Locker Room met
with the Solicitors office and settled the
matter out of court, according to Robert
Devins, lawyer for the Locker Room.
"We don't want to disobey the law and
want to stop being a public nuisance,"
Devins said.
According to Lou Briggs, an employee
of the Locker Room, the establishment
agreed to put windows on all doors, to
patrol the Locker Room to make sure no
illegal actions were going on, to allow
free police access to the Locker Room,
and to display the sodomy law in a con
spicuous spot.
Briggs added that the Locker Room is
not up for sale and as far as he knew
there were no plans in the near future.
Club Atlanta, on the other hand,
decided that the matter should be decid
ed in the courts.
Superior Court Judge Ethridge decid
ed that the baths could monitor their ac
tivities and asked to be presented with a
list of possible monitors from the gay
community, said Mike Frusco, executive
assistant to Charles Heck. Heck is the
chairman of Charles Heck and Assoc.,
Inc. owners of Club Atlanta.
On March 7 Club Atlanta presented a
list of five volunteers to monitor the ac
tivity. Charles Hunter from the Solicitors
office, turned down every name as unac
ceptable and brought with him ads from
Damron's guide for Club Baths in other
cities that he felt showed that the
establishments were only for sex. None
of the ads were for the Atlanta Qub Bath.
"In essence, Hunter was saying that no
gay person is able to monitor his ac
tivities and that no gay business is able to
monitor its activities," Frusco said.
"This situation has allowed us to take a
pdsitive look at our membership pro
cedure. We now make clear that
members are to uphold Georgia laws
and will not commit felonies while at the
Qub.. We are also thinking of allowing
new members only by sponsorship of a
present member. We also, as we have
always done, requested that nudity be
present only where appropriate such as
in the sauna and showers," Frusco said.
"Something of real interest is that in
our last meeting, Hunter let slip that so
meone from the gay community was
reporting to him about activities in the
clubs and bars. I feel that the person is
someone the gay community has trusted
in the past and has now turned against
the community. I think if the gay com
munity ever finds out who that person
is, he will have serious problems," Frusco
said.
The community needs to realize this is
not a baths issue and could spread to
bars and soon well all be wearing pink
triangles, Frusco said.
"I really want to thank the Business
and Professional Guild for their help and
the Atlanta gay community for its
strength to organize so quickly and be so
supportive. I just don't want to see our
community and rights go to hell in a jel
ly bean jar," Frusco said.
In addition, the Metro Council urges
local gays and lesbians to write to the
following people protesting the actions of
the Metro Vice Squad in their investiga
tion of the baths and subsequent arrests.
Address letters to: Mayor Andrew
Young, Qty Hall, Atlanta, GA 30335;
Marvin Arrington, Council President,
100 City Hall, Atlanta, GA 30335;
Michael Lomax, Fulton County Com
mission, Fulton County Courthouse, 165
Central Ave.SW, Atlanta, GA 30303; and
the Public Safety and Legal Administra
tion Committee, 100 Qty Hall, Atlanta,
GA 30335.
