A longstanding partnership that brought HIV testing to three New Orleans bars is ending, causing controversy among the LGBTQ+ community.
It comes after an alleged text exchange between Wood Enterprises’ Anne Breaud and a bartender who has since quit was posted to social media.
The exchange showed the bartender asking if CrescentCare, the non-profit that provides the testing, is included in “the ban.” Breaud replied, “especially them.”
The exchange drew criticism from people who viewed the remark as dismissive of the non-profit and its work. Wood Enterprises said outside services need management approval.
The company shared the policy in a statement posted to Good Friends’ Facebook page. It said anyone entering its establishments for a reason other than being an employee or customer must get management approval.
WDSU spoke by phone with Anne Breaud of Wood Enterprises. She said CrescentCare was not banned from the locations but repeated that the organization needs management approval. She also released a statement on Facebook.
The decision has prompted criticism among members of New Orleans’ LGBTQ+ community.
CrescentCare said it was disappointed that its testing services would no longer be permitted at Wood Enterprises locations. The non-profit said its longtime partnership with the bars had helped make testing available in places where people live, gather and connect.
The organization said it works with host locations to confirm permission, access, availability, procedures and logistics before providing services. It called the decision unexpected but said it remains committed to testing and providing medical care and treatment.
“We are still here. We are still testing and providing medical care and treatment. And we are still doing the work,” CrescentCare said.
CrescentCare said it is open to discussing how to restore the partnership with Wood Enterprises. It also thanked community members and organizations that offered support, including The Phoenix Bar, and invited other organizations to host testing events.
Wood Enterprises said it supports HIV testing and other preventive health care in the community. The company cited policies and procedures intended to protect customers and employees.
CrescentCare’s full statement below:
“Our commitment to accessible HIV testing has not changed.
CrescentCare is disappointed to learn that our HIV testing services will no longer be permitted at Wood Enterprises locations. For decades, our partnership has enabled testing at these community sites as part of our commitment to making HIV testing accessible where people live, gather and connect.
Community testing partnerships take significant planning. Our team works with host locations to gain permission, confirm access, availability, procedures and logistics before providing services. Given our longstanding relationship, this decision was unexpected and disappointing.
But the most important thing we want our community to know is this:
We are still here. We are still testing and providing medical care and treatment. And we are still doing the work.
Access to HIV and STI testing, prevention, treatment and care has real, positive health outcomes for the communities we serve and care for deeply. We remain open to conversations with Wood Enterprises about reestablishing this partnership and restoring this longstanding community resource.
We are also incredibly grateful for the community members and organizations who have reached out in support, including The Phoenix Bar, which has offered its support as we continue this work. We are always open to partnering with additional organizations. If you are interested in hosting a testing event, please reach out to us to coordinate!”
Anne Breaud’s full statement:
“This situation with Crescent Care was never about HIV testing or counseling. It was about Crescent Care volunteers refusing to comply with our corporate policy to coordinate times and dates of third-party vendors with the business office before coming on the premises. Crescent Care’s volunteers seemed to think they had the right to just come into our establishments whenever then wanted, set up wherever they wanted, without concern for business operations, security, safety and privacy of our patrons. When these volunteers were told they need to set up a appointment with the business office to discuss the matter, they insisted on being addressed immediately when the business manager making those decisions was not free to talk. Our response to failing to comply with our policies was to bar them from our establishments until they complied with our policies. We are disappointed that the officers and directors of Crescent Care have allowed this situation to blow up on social media and have not stepped in to find out what was going on. They are just as responsible as the volunteers. Given the “trial by media” you can understand our reluctance to allow any further contact with this organization.”
Wood Enterprises’ full statement:
“Wood Enterprises is not against HIV testing or any proactive health care for individuals in our community. Anyone other than employees or patrons entering our establishments for reasons other than having a drink or enjoying great conversation has to get approval through management. For the safety of our customers and employees, there are policies and procedures in place to protect people in our environment. Thank you!”
CrescentCare is still providing testing in other locations:
- 1631 Elysian Fields Avenue. Rapid HIV testing: Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Comprehensive walk in STI testing: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and Tuesday-Friday, 1:00 – 4:20 p.m.
- 2515 Canal Street. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. HIV/STI testing & treatment appointments: 504-821-2601
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