More on Antibody Testing

Hughes

Denny McShane, who was president of BAPHR in '84 during the bathhouse issue, commissioned a task force on the ethical implications in AIDS, which was comprised of BAPHR members, community leaders in law, journalism, religion, and medical ethics, to develop a plan and recommendations for responding to AIDS screening. This was October '84. I suppose by then you knew that the antibody test was on its way?

Andrews

I think we knew.

Hughes

Probably so, because it seems to me the original date when the test was supposed to be commercially available was January 1985, and for whatever reason, it was actually not available until a couple of months later.

Andrews

But we knew it was just right down the pike.

Hughes

Did you have any direct involvement with that task force?

Andrews

You know, I cannot remember.

Hughes

October 1984 was the date that the bathhouses were closed.

Andrews

Oh, well, that was right in the middle of everything. And even during the years I wasn't active, my closest friends were mostly gay doctors, so I had my ear to what was going on.

Hughes

BAPHR produced a brochure called, "Should I Take the Test?"

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Andrews

Aha, yes, I remember that. Gosh, I'd love to see that again.

Hughes

Well, I didn't find a copy.

Andrews

I know that I was a part of the discussion about that pamphlet. I don't remember all the details.