Comments on: Gay man fights blood donor ban

By: Steve Walker

Steve Walker — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 23:34:03 +0000

I have o- Bloodtype. The only rare bloodtype that is compatible with any other bloodtype out there. But I can’t donate my blood because I am in a seventeen year monogamous relationship with a man instead of a woman. tragic and bigoted to me, but deadly to whomever died today because that blood was not avalible.

By: Alex G

Alex G — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:43:02 +0000

I agree with Forest. A few years back I was contacted by the plasmapheresis unit at my local hospital (they collect blood products without taking whole blood; what they collect is typically used in treating people who are undergoing chemotherapy). I filled in their questionaire and was told by them that I was ineligible to donate because I was a man who had had sex with a man at least once since 1977 (that’s who it was phrased here in Canada). I pointed out that I had repeatedly tested negative for HIV. They said that proved nothing (!?!). I asked them if they were testing the blood they received for any known diseases. No answer. I asked “are you heat-treating the blood you receive to kill any diseases in it?” No answer. I then said “do you mean to tell me that you’re TAKING PEOPLE’s WORD FOR ALL OF THIS??!!” The nurse said “I think you should leave now.” So, Forest, it appears that they really are engaging in a monstrous crap-shoot.

By: Forest

Forest — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:15:17 +0000

Are the blood banks relying solely on what people SAY? If so anyone receiving blood is in danger. If they are testing all the blood for diseases anyway they why bother asking donors questions at all? Something isn’t adding up here.

By: Ben

Ben — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 09:30:10 +0000

I really hope he wins! i was heartbroken when i found out i couldn’t donate blood. I had always planned on donating when i reach 16, so to find out i couldn’t honestly donate blood while having had sex in the last 12 months was absolutely soul crushing. They have the technology to detect HIV and AIDS now so the ban is pure discrimination and they are missing out on possible donors. I am not old enough to donate blood yet so i hope the ban is dissolved by the time i can. Otherwise i will just lie. No way i’m gonna let the Red Cross deny people of my blood just coz i like guys!

By: Karl Rosenqvist

Karl Rosenqvist — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 08:22:27 +0000

In Sweden we have the same problem. However, health athourities (bad spell) examined it and came up with new regulations that weren’t discriminating. That’s when the healthcare pushed back saying that allowing gay men to donate blood would make the bloodplasma impossible to sell!?! Apparently they make a couple of millions annually dealing it to medical companies worldwide. Perhaps there is a similar motive here.

By: Nigel

Nigel — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 06:46:06 +0000

I actually went with a friend of mine who is also gay and ablutophobic and we managed to stir some courage in him and he was willing to donate and they kicked us out because we’d had gay sex before and then they submitted our information to the FDA as people who can’t donate because of that. I’ve also run into those mobile centers and they overlooked it but there should be no need to lie.

By: alex

alex — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 05:50:53 +0000

WELL I THINK THIS IS A BUNCH OF CRAP! I HAVE DONATED OVER 3 GALLONS OF BLOOD IN MY TIME OF DONATING, AND EVERYTIME I HAVE TO LIE ON THE COMPUTER QUESTIONAIRE, OR THEY WILL NOT ACCEPT MY APPLICATION! THERE HASN’T BEEN A THING WRONG WITH THE 3 GALLONS I’VE GIVEN SO FAR. P.S. HERE’S A SECRET I WAS GAY THE WHOLE TIME, LOL HAHA. WELL EVERYNE TAKE CARE AND STAY IN THE RACE TO FIGHT THIS STUPID BAN. XELAJAMES

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 01:55:53 +0000

Currently, in the US, the group with the largest increase of new HIV infections is found in African-Americans. While making up only 14% of the general population they account for 48% of new infections. If we follow their logic, we should be banning African-Americans, not gays.

By: Rick

Rick — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 01:07:14 +0000

Women who have had anonymous unprotected sex with men are also at great risk. In fact, married women can become infected through their own extramarital affair or their spouses. Should women be barred from giving blood, too? I don’t think so. It’s ridiculous and offensive.

By: Josh

Josh — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:55:39 +0000

and to think that in many parts of Alabama ive heard about shortages in blood donors.