How many of you think that it's ridiculous that gays can't donate blood????? And how many of you have lied and donated blood anyway? And how many people have died because apparently gay blood doesn't work like straight blood?? I mean, really, WTF?!?!?!? What is the reasoning behind this one?
two things are behind it. 1. hep-b 2. hiv both are bullshit too! both viruses can be tested for before blood is donated and, can also, be screened for before the blood is used. as for hepatitis b. there is a vaccine that people can get to prevent infection. the most likely real reason, bi and gay males can't give blood in the u.s.a. is politics. here in the u.s.a. the red cross controls the blood supply. the red cross is an organization that has a lot of rich funders to the organization and, most of the members of the board of directors are political and religious conservatives. twice the review of blood donation has come up for review with the fda. both times, the medical and scientific review panel has agreed, that there is no reason at all, to exclude bi and gay males, from being allowed to donate blood. both times, the political and religious conseveratives, in the government and their base have, stopped the fda from telling the red cross to change their policies. there you have it! there is no medical or, scienitific reasons whatsoever, that bi and gay males cannot donate blood. it is all political, that is the reason for them not being allowed to donate blood! :sad:
Welcome to the world of blatant official government discrimination due to sexual orientation. I have been opposing this stupid discrimination since the 1990s and here (for those who can read more of a tweet) is a published article that I wrote on the subject in 2000 that was posted on a similar thread. http://www.hipforums.com/newforums/showpost.php?p=4247714&postcount=140 Also a follow up post of mine on that thread: http://www.hipforums.com/newforums/showpost.php?p=6453020&postcount=146 And Yes - If you read the essay you know that Shale does lie in the face of absurdity
No, just gay men. The question is for males only and for years read: "Have you had sexual contact with another male, even once, since 1977." They finally admitted that date of 1977 was sounded even more ridiculous so they left it off. Meaning those of us having sex with men before 1977 are considered a risk as well. BULLSHIT!
you mean the gays in the military cant give blood, is that why they are not allowed to tell that they are gay?...
I went to plasmacare and they said that I couldn't donate if I had slept with men or had slept with women who slept with men that slept with men.
well I blew the hep C meter off the charts once with an over dose of Tylenol .. goes to show what they know..
HAHAHAHAHA I hadn't thot of that! The first pint of blood that I donated in life was at Lackland AFB in 1963. They didn't even ask us if we wanted to. Just marched us to the infirmary and we all got drained. I wonder if they still do that in the age of "don't ask - don't tell?" Of course in my case at that time the only sex I'd had was with a male hand - but not another male's hand.
Yeah, I've heard of that one too! What the Hell? Do they think that homosexual feelings are a disease?!? Because they sure as hell are treating it like one!
it isn't just having sex with other men, if you lived in England for a given set of years you out too becasue of mad cow disease. I was stationed in England for those years.
HIV is serious. People did get the virus through transfusions. some were in military hospitals. I fully believe that blood donors should practice safe sex/barriers. either gender, any preference. I am also forbidden from donating blood based on living in the UK (vCJD) and having had relationships with bi males (but hey, my girlfriends are cool by the protocols...so I just assume they are loser straight guys who get of on woman-woman action) but if you test clean, and have for several years, we need blood donors! what floors me is all my tissue/organs/bones are fine for post mortem donation.
That's just it though, even if you walked in with proof that you didn't have HIV or any STIs, they'd still turn you down for being gay. It's the rule. No gays in the donation room. I'm surprised that they allow gay nurses and doctors! Why, with the way that they're treating gay like a disease, I'm surprised they don't have everyone who's gay or bi quarantined.
it isn't gay, per se, but concern in the age of AIDS. are the blood banks over reacting, perhaps, but with something blood borne, without a cure, I see their point. I have learned to be gracious about it, after fighting to weigh enough to donate in college, and discovering the then-new UK residence rule. what i'd wondered about was couldn't that blood donated by people who have had sexual contact with gay or bi men undergo stricter testing? Gee, I guess I'm doubly doomed for donation. but I'm fine for marrow donation, and on the registry.
