VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – An AIDS education and outreach organization will continue controversial testing, despite concerns from some Virginia Beach officials.

Teen AIDS Peer Corps and the city were at odds over the organization’s methods and met Wednesday morning to discuss the issue.

What Teen AIDS Peer Corps does is unprecedented.  The group goes to places where teens hang out and offers AIDS education and HIV testing. But some of the methods aren’t sitting well with some city officials.

“The education and awareness is wonderful.  We have some concerns and reservations about publicly providing test results,” said Acting Health Director, Dr. Heidi Kelberg.

Dr. John Chittick, founder of Teen AIDS Peer Corps explained, “We’re trying to end the stigma that’s the whole point that you don’t have to be embarrassed by AIDS or AIDS testing anymore.”

Chittick and his volunteers use home testing kits that can be purchased by anyone 17 or older. They require a simple cheek swab. He assured the city he will only test those who can legally purchase a kit.

Photos: Home HIV testing kits

Dr. Kelberg still wants to know, “How does it work when you’re out in public? How do confidentiality laws apply to general non medical personnel?”

In Virginia, medical professionals are bound by law to give results confidentially, to report positive cases and to  provide counseling.  “Suicide is always a concern, bullying and cyber bullying is an issue,” Dr. Kelberg pointed out.

She plans to take those concerns to her boss, the State Health Commissioner,  who will likely seek the opinion of the Attorney General.

Teen AIDS Peer Corps doesn’t want a court battle but Chittick said, “Oh, we would definitely challenge it in court immediately, we’re not .. this is how I feel and this is how I believe.”

AIDS is no longer a death sentence; there is treatment but you have to get tested.

Teen AIDS Peer Corps will continue to push the envelope with public testing in Hampton Roads and with the federal government. Dr. Chittick plans to petition the FDA to make HIV home tests available to people of all ages.

Anyone 14 years or older can get HIV testing at local health departments in Virginia without their parents’ permission.

Dr. Kelberg noted that the Attorney General’s office is still interpreting the law to determine whether or not the clinic must tell a teen’s parents when they test positive.