AIDS Test, Retro Disco, and Public Exposure

[OneFinger]

It was time for my periodic AIDS test and the newspaper announced a new testing facility in a major city very close to my work. I normally go to a large AIDS foundation in another city but decided to try a this new (and closer) location. The place I'm normally tested is a clinical setting. They are very anal about privacy and making sure the clients feel it is a safe and private experience.

 

I arrived the new facility about 10 minutes after the start time indicated in the paper. The facility was a large house on a busy residential street. On the front lawn were a group of people setting up tables and chairs for what appeared to be a picnic. They said the paper printed the wrong time so I left and went shopping for an hour.

 

Upon returning they had a yard full of people sitting around eating. There was also very loud disco music playing (you could hear it a block away). The DJ did a voice-over, while running around the yard, announcing it was HIV Awareness Day and encouraging cars to pull over and be tested.

 

I walked up and shouted over the music that I was there for a test. I was told they still weren't ready but to wait 5 minutes. They told me to wait in a small line outside the house and close to the vibrating speakers.

 

Everyone in line, including me, appeared very uncomfortable. I really thought the music, DJ, and picnic were a little inappropriate. After all, did they really expect that all the Mormon families driving by would immediately stop and rush over to be tested?!? The New Orleans style of a street barker was really getting to me.

 

After waiting about 10 minutes and still no sign of any testing, everyone in line (including me) just left.

 

So, is my age showing or do you think this is a proper way to conduct AIDS testing? Since this was sponsored and paid for with local Health Department funds, would you complain about the way your tax dollars were being spent?

[CT Dick]

Have you sent this letter to the organization running the affair? They need to know that a lineful of people left and why.

 

Dick

[OneFinger]

Dick,

 

This only happened yesterday and I wasn't sure if I was being overly critical. I have volunteered at other AIDS organizations and have never before seen testing done like this.

 

I plan to write them a letter but really wanted a reality check from this group. I'm one of the old farts here and if the younger group feels this is acceptable, then I was going to figure my old age was showing. If this approach appeals to the majority, then I didn't want to pursue the issue.

 

I assume from your response that you find it a little odd also?

[+ Lucky]

I think you should complain loudly. This discourages people from getting tested.

[CT Dick]

Agreed!

 

They wanted to encourage testing and scared people away. Yes, you should write a strong letter.

 

Dick

[Guest fukamarine]

>Agreed!

>

>They wanted to encourage testing and scared people away. Yes,

>you should write a strong letter.

 

 

The part that I would find totally unacceptable is the lack of privacy. Someone should have told them that the 4th of July was still a few days away!

 

fukamarine

[+ Lucky]

The part I find totally unacceptable is the lack of an HIV test.

[OneFinger]

>The part I find totally unacceptable is the lack of an HIV test.

 

Lucky, don't worry because I promise to be tested prior to visiting the Big Apple. :+

 

Fortunately, that experience won't deter me from getting tested regularly. But, there were a couple of young guys in line who looked very embarassed and intimidated.

 

I'm working on a letter to the offending agency. Also plan to send my regular testing facility (Utah AIDS Foundation in Salt Lake City) a donation to ensure they remain open and available. Too bad that it takes a negative experience to make you appreciate quality organizations.

 

(Hope the shameless plug for UAF doesn't violate any rules. But, I wanted to make sure there was no misunderstanding that they were NOT the offending organization.)

[VaHawk]

Well, imo, it wasn't the proper way to get you and others to take the test, so they failed in that regard, but I doubt that the older gay population, or indeed the gay population in general, was the target of this particular campaign.

 

Did they succeed with others? Any manner at all that will get anyone to stop and take the test is a success. A lot of young people, male and female, straight, gay and bi, (but especially straight) are not going to get off their butts and go get the test at a health clinic, as maybe it is too restricting and "uncool" and too scary to deal with as that only "happens to those other people don't it?"

 

People like most of us here, who lived thru the AIDS disaster of the 80's are old enough to realize the importance of testing and will go to the health clinics and/or private doctors to get the test.

 

Perhaps a party atmosphere such as this is what it takes to get these young people (especially straights) to stop and check out the scene. Once there it is easier to educate them on the facts of AIDS and to get them to agree to be tested. I think it is very similar to the vigorous AIDS street campaigns of the 80's in the gay community when this horror was branded a "gay disease". The cessation of such "in your face" tactics, imo, is one of the reasons that AIDS infection is on the rise again among young gay men.

 

I myself, would inquire about the success of this program, before firing off some kind of complaint to the powers that be. Please keep in mind that in this regard, that AIDS knows no boundaries as far as race, gender, nationality or sexual orientation. If a lot of young straight kids stopped because of the "party" and wound up getting educated and tested and passing that education on to their peers, then this technique, imo, was a huge success, and tax dollars well spent!

[OneFinger]

You bring out some very good points. I was definately looking at it from an aging queens eyes. The location of the this facility and the visible volunteers did give the impression that their main clients were probably NOT gay white males.

 

I like your suggestion to find out about their success rate. Perhaps they are reaching a population that others aren't. "One size fits all" certainly doesn't apply when it comes to AIDS care and support.

 

While their approach didn't meet my needs, it's not the only game in town and isn't keeping me from being tested. But, it may be only outlet for some people.

 

I'm rethinking my response.

[+ Charlie]

This may be a way to get a few young people to get tested on a whim, but it doesn't seem like an effective use of funds. The approach seems likely to attract those who feel confident they are NOT HIV+ and are doing it for a lark, rather than those who might have a legitimate concern. Granted it might turn up a couple of unexpected HIV+s, but then the question is whether the individuals would actually learn their status, since people who are attracted to take the test in this way are unlikely to make the follow-up visit to find out the results. One-on-one counseling for those who have been tested should be an important part of any testing campaign, whether they turn out to be positive or negative.

 

Lining test-takers up on public show was unforgiveable, and since those of you who did line up for the test didn't stay when none was given on time (a real mark of the amateurism of the organization), the money was spent on an unnecessary party. I would definitely contact the leadership of the organization, in writing, to make your concerns known.

 

I have been on the board of directors of a gay health organization, so I know that a lot of half-baked ideas get proposed by people who are more enthusiastic than sensible, and this sounds like one of them.