Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1985. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Miami Herald - Wednesday, June 26, 1985
Andrew Froman, Herald Staff Writer
"This test is too new and unreliable," City Manager Jim Chandler said.
Leaders of the South Florida gay community applauded Chandler's decision, but said the nearly week-long controversy over the test could have been avoided if Hollywood officials checked its reliability before recommending it to city commissioners. Homosexuals are the most frequent victims of the disease.
"It's absolutely true that the test is 40 percent inaccurate. I'm just happy that they finally saw the light," said Karl Clark, president of Broward's Dolphin Democratic Club. The club represents the political interests of homosexuals.
It took less than a week for Chandler to change his mind about testing job applicants for exposure to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, a lethal disease that breaks down the body's immune system.
City commissioners approved the test a week ago, on the recommendation of Chandler and Personnel Director Herbert Chernov, as one of a series of health exams to be given by Serrano Medical Associates of Fort Lauderdale. Hollywood was the first city in the nation to approve such a test, gay rights leaders said.
Chandler said the city may have moved too hastily in adopting the test for HTLV-III antibodies, which indicate a patient has been exposed to a virus doctors believe causes AIDS.
"On this particular test, perhaps we could have done a little more checking," Chandler said.
Commissioner Suzanne Gunzburger said she persuaded Chandler to reconsider the new test.
"Ever since the story broke I've had some doubts about the test," Gunzburger said. "It doesn't prove anything except that you have been exposed to an AIDS virus."
The decision to drop the test is a "result of what I've seen and heard the last few days from health experts in Florida and nationally," Chandler said. "I felt we should obtain further information."
Chandler said he consulted with medical experts at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta before reaching his decision Tuesday.
City officials had hoped such tests would protect city employees and help keep premiums for health insurance low.
"From my standpoint, I think the original motive was correct," Chandler said.
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Copyright © 1985 - Miami Herald. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Miami Herald, Permissions, One Herald Plaza, Miami, FL 33132-1693 TEL: (305) 376-3719. http://www.herald.com.
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