Gay Men Prohibited from Donating Organs, Blood, and Semen

[torasama]

Men who have had sex with other men, or women who have sex with a man who has had sex with a man, cannot donate blood in the US and Canada. Yet a man who has had anal sex with a prostitute for years can wait 6 months and if he has no STDS can still donate

Comments

[purplehamsa]

I agree, this is homophobia at its core. As a recipient of blood almost 5 years ago, I am horrified that it might have been available to me because healthy gay men can't donate. There is no scientific basis, especially since het women were the fastest growing population last I checked. Of course, the newest HIV tests are much more effective than the older tests. It might make some sense if the HIV-RNA test were mandated for gay donors, as well as people who have a history of drug use or other riskier sexual behaviors.

I do give regularly and as angry as this makes me, I wouldn't think of boycotting because it could mean someone dying instead of living from my donation.

I will write a letter to my congressperson and senators. I will also talk about it next time I visit Red Cross hq for a donor event.

Thanks for reminding me to be indignant about this.

[yep_i_am_dennis]

I agree with you 100%, that's why I don't care if i have to lie while giving blood. It's more important to give blood than anything else. Granted, I haven't HAD to lie yet, and i would if need be. I dunno. LOL

[fabfemmeboy]

this is homophobia at its core.

No, it's not. It came out of an actual medical rationale - that is, in 1985, the only cases of HIV they'd observed (and realized they were observing) were in gay men. They knew it was spread by blood. They knew a number of hemophiliacs and other transfusion recipients had been infected by receiving tainted blood, and they were concerned about the enormous cost (both time and money) of checking each individual blood sample, particularly since at that point, HIV testing was in its infancy.

The fact that they fail to repeal it now I chalk up to ignorance far more than blatant homophobia. It's based in faulty statistics rather than out and out hatred.

[purplehamsa]

I hear what you are saying. I know that it was originally abour a rational response to a real medical emergency senario.

BUT those guidelines have been revised many times since then, including to respond to the mad cow disease epidemic. I am not so trusting as to chalk that up to ignorance. The FDA clearly knows that the facts about HIV/AIDS have been proven to be dramatically different than first assumed TWENTY years ago. These are doctors--they have a clue and as political appointees, refuse to make the change. It disgusts me.

[ginginthegenius]

The ban pisses me off. I talk about it at work (the red cross) but my region really has no control over ANYTHING (and the fact that I'm just a telerecuiter doesn't help). We cant even get a damn caller id system installed. I agree with purplehamsa...even though it pisses me off, I still donate, because I feel like i HAVE to. I just wish places would be you know, more open about things. Blargh.. sorry.. word vomit..

[jmintmilano]

Id rather let the country suffer a dire blood shortage before I try to change their POV, or lie about my experiences to donate blood.

That's what they should get for being so closed minded

[fabfemmeboy]

Okay, but...the FDA wouldn't be the ones to suffer. It would be the people who need blood but can't get any because there's a shortage. The little hemophiliac kids, or people who've been in accidents...the first cases recognized as 'tainted blood' infections were in elderly and newborn patients who suffered complications during surgery and needed a transfusion. Those are the people who would be hurt by a shortage - not the people in power.

[purplehamsa]

yup. I would have died in childbirth. I had a complication that is critical without a platelet transfusion.

It sucks. It would have my child who would have been an orphan because her mom died. It was a near certainty that without the transfusion I would have been dead.

We need everyone giving blood who is DD free.

[nikolche]

Thirding. I'd have not made it past 2 weeks old without a blood transfusion. If I could donate now without violating actual medical restrictions I would, even if it meant I had to lie about who I sleep with.

Now, I still think the regulations need to be changed. Refusing to give blood isn't going to speed that up any though.

[theparkonpiano]

This was on an episode of Degrassi, actually. Marco (who is homosexual in real life, quite a disappointment for my future children) ran a blood drive and could not donate himself. I felt badly for Marco, poor dear.

I think it's completely ridiculous. If he doesn't have HIV/AIDs, there is no reason he shouldn't be allowed to donate. Simple as that.

It's a shame I'm horrified of needles. I cringe thinking about them. Otherwise, I'd donate often.

[purplehamsa]

I actually overcame my fear of needles in order to donate--at 17. I actually have muscle spasms when I donate, which stops the flow. I practice yoga breathing/relaxation in order to get through it.

Do it if you can possibly work through your fear. It is a huge mitzvah/good deed/karma boost.

[theparkonpiano]

Seems doubtful. I had to get my HPV and meningitis shots in July, and they had to strap me down to get the needles in. I cried like a baby. And I told the nurse I'd rather have HPV and meningitis at the same time than get the shots. Fears aren't really a thing I get over easily, unfortunately.

But if I ever do, I will definitely do it.

[cajunfleur]

As much as I hate to say this, I can see where they are coming from. Let me give an example

[losxprestamos]

That's terrible about your dad, man

[cajunfleur]

I didn't know that they tested blood before it went to someone. I don't think that they test it all, though, because I've known two people who contracted Hep C and HIV (both got Hep, one got HIV) through blood transfusions. But then, they also contracted those at young ages, so maybe they do more now than they did then.

The public needs to get off its high horse and let dying people receive more healthy blood and body parts.I agree completely. And I think that education is the most important first step that we can take. I don't think that we can just overturn the law without educating the public. Yes, I'm underlining the "outrage" that would ensue if the law was abruptly repealed. We see hate crimes targeted at gay males enough as it is, and I think that the public would flip out and that would put people at risk

[torasama]

My step-father contracted Hep. C from a bad blood transfusion too - but it was before they started screening it. Do you know when these two people had their transfusions?

The standards and screening procedures are much better now, though there are things like this that need revising.