For all of you who don't know, gay men and women who have had sex with gay men are banned from giving blood. Women are only banned for 12 months, but gay men are banned indefinitely.
I am currently writing the FDA to complain about the discrimination facing gay men so if anyone has any resources to help, it would be appreciated. I would encourage you to write the FDA as well. Any resources/law material would be very helpful!
2006-10-02 04:16:32 · 13 answers · asked by linkbaseball 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
How they ban you is asking if you are in high risk behavior: Drug use, taking money for sex, visiting or being born in Africa and having sex with sex with a man who has had sex with a man (women who have had sex with a gay man as well.) I understand that this is considered high risk because not everyone uses a condom, but I am protesting that at the very least, no sexual contact for 12 months should allow the blood to be properly sampled. After 3 months 95% of the HIV antibodies form and 99% after 6 months. It is a start but I don't think that all gay men should be banned for good.
2006-10-02 04:27:37 · update #1
Linkbaseball,
I work in the medical profession. I am an RN and I work in an ER. So I am going to come out say this as politely and bluntly as possible.
They are NOT discriminating against you or your preferences. STOP THINKING THIS!!!
They are keeping what limited blood supply we do have free of ANY agents.
Do you understand there was NO screening process before the 80s. This meant that you could give blood and what ever you had could be spread to the next person. This is how epidemics are started, and this is EXACTLY what happened.
Ok, lets say you being a gay man who has ALWAYS had "protected" sex was injured in a car wreck and needed 4 units of blood. Do you realize that most likely not all of those units of blood came from the same source, or the same company, or even the same state or region. Ok, now lets just say you get one that was infected with Hep B., and understand thats all it takes. (Actually all it takes is a drop! A DROP!!) Would it be fair to basically give you Hep B, just because you were being treated for an auto accident? Or anything else for that matter.
Do you realize that people who are gay arent the only ones who are singled out. People who have diabetes can be singled out, People who have hereditary conditions or disorders can be, People with sickle cell can be, people who have never gotten their shots as a kid could be, people who have have traveled to other countries can be, people from other countries can be, people who work with radioactive material can be, people who work in a copper or silver mine can be, people who have a cold can be, people with high blood pressure can be, people with high triglycerides can be, people who just recently took antibiotics for say a foot fungus can be, and so on.......
Do you see what I am saying? The blood supply is low, and it is low because we screen it and pre-screen the donors. Even if you give it, it doesnt mean it will be used. You have to understand how involved this screening is. No one should be given blood and end up with some disease or condition because of it. Just like you wouldnt want the wrong type blood because you can be hurt or die from it, this is the same concept
Would you want that on you? Would you want that risk on your loved ones?
Just smile, and be proud that you have a country that is willing to do that for YOU. Yes you might think you are singled out but you arent, our government has implemented laws to help keep you safe.
This is a risk no one is willing to take, and so it offends someone, BIG DEAL! In the long run, it saves lives, and isnt that what it is about?
2006-10-02 05:04:16 · answer #1 · answered by just me 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's due to the fact homosexual guys are "at better hazard" of having stds so that they may not take our blood. Personally, I consider it is unfair and ridiculous, principally while they've a scarcity of blood donors and they're continuously in the market encouraging humans to donate. If I am ever requested I might frequently say I'm instantly. I recognise I'm a virgin and blank, so why must I have my blood refused over whatever as beside the point what gender I discover stunning. It's frequently an overly out of date legislation regarding out of date experiences.
2016-08-29 09:15:42 · answer #2 · answered by bollinger 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i was not aware of this information and even though i do agree with you it is discrimation, i also do see the logic behind it. i am divided. i know for a fact that people who get tattoes done, need to wait 12 months before giving blood because of the hepatistic b disease that can be developed through dirty needles or inexprience tattoo artists who uses equipment that is not sterile. also having lesbians women wait a year, can also be accounted more dieaseas that they can be carries with sharing dildos, not using protective sex, etc. but gay men, i think if you check yourself every six months and everything comes out fine, then there should not be any problem if you want to give blood as long as you can carry your medical history with you somehow.
2006-10-02 04:22:38 · answer #3 · answered by lasalle_1986 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Technically it is discrimination because if all the blood is processed and they are found to have HIV it would not be given and the donor would be notified and it's the same process with a straight person...so yes i believe u have a case however, if u argue this then it would allow drug needle users to give as well just be aware of that.
2006-10-02 06:24:39 · answer #4 · answered by coopchic 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the reason is, even though its very stereotypical, the risk for carrying HIV/aids in homosexuals is believed to be higher than in heterosexuals. the reason you cant donate is because HIV/aids can lay dormant for up to a year before a person is able to test positive.. which means if u donate and u are infected in the early stages the blood will test clean, once transfused to a new person they can be infected later.
it sucks and its not really fair but its just a safety pro-caution.
2006-10-02 04:22:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, I don't remember being asked my sexual orientation when giving blood. I would assume that they have to check the blood anyways for AIDS before they use it (whether the donor is gay or straight). If it is true though, I'd follow up as you said you were doing. Sorry I don't have any resources.
2006-10-02 04:19:38 · answer #6 · answered by Rex 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
discrimination?they can have your blood and then flash it in the toilet,is that what you want do not be discriminated?
your blood is an risky group blood and Innocent people can get hurt because of you.AIDS and Hepatitis has long incubation period.
if you're trying to make money by complaining to the FDA,it's a loosing time and case.
2006-10-02 04:29:51 · answer #7 · answered by Moe M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because they feel like taking blood from a gay man is a risk...you know the whole hiv epidemic...but thats not a gay disease and the fda is just wrong....get everyone you know to sign a petition do one online also....good luck
2006-10-02 04:19:31 · answer #8 · answered by Cassie 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
is this true? because I am gay and Ive donated blood before...even after Ive had protected sex. My doctor never told me doing so was banned. where did you hear this information?
2006-10-02 04:19:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had no idea.
I thought all blood donations get tested for AIDS and diseases anyway, very well spread by heteros too
2006-10-02 04:18:32 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋