"Macy's, `The Store With a Heart,' Sacks HIV-Positive Santa"

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1991. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

"Macy's, `The Store With a Heart,' Sacks HIV-Positive Santa"

Toronto Globe and Mail (12/14/91), P. D1
Lynch, Colum

Abstract: R.H. Macy's is facing a $3.25-million lawsuit from Mark Woodley, one of its former Santa Claus impersonators, who was fired after the company learned he was HIV-positive. The court case has sparked a bitter feud between the department store and Woodley's supporters. On November 29, more than 20 activists dressed in Santa costumes protested outside the department store and called for Woodley's reinstatement. Macy's maintains that it fired Woodley after learning that he was taking Prozac, an anti-depressant recently reported to cause violent mood swings. "This has absolutely nothing to do with HIV status," said Macy's spokesman Michael Frietag. However, Woodley has produced an affadavit wherein Macy's personnel officer Judy Fishman expressed concern that children could be infected with diseases such as pneumonia and tuberculosis if they came in contact with Woodley.

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