Ok I'm a work and we have a blood van here. My boss said I could go and give blood so I went. When I began to do it, give blood, they asked some questions and then I was turned away because I was gay. The nurse said gays can't give blood because its and FDA rule if you have been with a man you are unable to do it.
What kinda of crap is that. I mean they say the blood supply is low but they turn you away. I'm clean and heathly and get tested every six months, oh and I've been with my partner forever. Someone please expalin this to me.
2007-06-22 07:52:48 · 14 answers · asked by gazy_days 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
It is called guilt by association.
Because HIV/AIDS is associated with gay sex, the FDA made a "blanket" call on the issue, so as long as the person says they are gay they can't give blood. It doesn't matter if you are clean and healthy.
The same would hold true if the person said they were a drug user.
2007-06-22 07:58:52 · answer #1 · answered by nycguy10002 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you - it's insane! Especially when you read the full list of persons who can/cannot give blood or when.
For example - if you're a male who had sex with a female prostitute you can't give blood for 1 year but if you are a male who had sex 1x only ever with a man - you are never allowed to give blood! Why are prostitutes any less of a risk than a gay man? Especially since prostitutes would be at even greater risk of HIV exposure than the average gay male in this time of AIDS awareness. Like you, I get tested frequently and do not have any unsafe sex - ever. I haven't been unsafe since 1985! And I am still negative. And now with all the 'quick response' testing why can't we give blood?
I found out about this back on 9/11...I live in NYC and figured it was the one thing I could do to help people. And to this day I can't seem to find anything that shows even the thought that the FDA may change this ruling.
I really think the AIDS activists and Gay Pride activists should put this at the top of their agendas...this is just a subtle way of our gov't saying that gay men are 'diseased' (lesbians are not affected by this rule, unless they've had sex with a gay man.)
And no one seems to think this is an out-dated and prejudicial reason for giving blood.
2007-06-22 08:20:10 · answer #2 · answered by mykey7/16 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ill say this now, it is a rule thats been brought under scrutiny recently, and its a very, very stupid rule, but it wasnt at the time that it was put into action.
You see, this rule was made during the time where aids had just managed to get a good hold on america, and it was 'the gay disease'; in order to keep the blood supplies from getting tainted with HIV or AIDS positive blood, gays were banned from giving blood. It was brought under appeal recently, as I said, but it was kept in play for the excuse- and it is an excuse- that they considered gay men to be more at risk for contracting it than a straight man.
Dont feel alone. Im not allowed to give blood because I went overseas- ive been turned down by every van thats come through our little town, and to say that about these people (who generally go after people with my blood type like starving vampires) thats something.
It is a horrible rule, really- very discriminatory, very STUPID if youve tested clean- but until such a time as it is removed, its still one they have to follow.
2007-06-22 08:09:46 · answer #3 · answered by icbm_burn_and_fry 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Welcome to reality!
You honestly didn't know this?
The nurse was right, it is a federally regulated issue and has been deemed as illegal because of the past HIV/AIDS transmissions in donated blood.
There's NO instant HIV/AIDS test, and until there is, don't expect to be allowed to give blood.
Granted, it is stupid in this day and age that there's NOT an instant HIV test still. It's also a stupid law...but I do understand the "Why" of it.
No, it doesn't feel good to hear it...but hey, I can't give blood either. Nor can my partner. She's diabetic and I'm hypoglycemic (the opposite)...my mother can't give blood because she's anemic.
My brother can't give blood because he regularly uses marijuana (medical reasons ...although it is illegal...but I don't agree with that either!) user.
So, are you following me here?
It's not a matter of YOUR right to donate, but rather the RIGHTS of the person who possibly might receive tainted blood.
It's a health issue, not a civil rights issue.
2007-06-22 08:19:10 · answer #4 · answered by DEATH 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It seems to be location dependant. Here in NJ, they ask if you have had ANY unprotected sexual encounters in the past year. They make no mention of gender. They also ask if you've recently been tattooed or pierced.
My buddy, who is a gay guy, donates blood regularly with no problem.
Call the blood bank directly and ask what the policy is. The volunteers staffing the mobile units don't always know the correct answers for every situation.
2007-06-22 08:00:41 · answer #5 · answered by FTW 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If that is the case, they should only allow virgins to donate blood if they want to keep the risk down. It's as if straight people can't carry or contract HIV/AIDS. After all the blood is screen,right?
2007-06-22 08:30:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is completely wrong and immoral. Anyone who is healthy should be able to give blood.
But, here is an explanation to your issue.
I'm sorry this has to happen to you. You are willing to give your healthy blood to help out society when straight healthy people dont do it.
Such a screwed up system we have.
2007-06-22 08:02:35 · answer #7 · answered by sweetblueyes 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was turned away at 911 blooddrive felt the same way
2007-06-26 00:46:43 · answer #8 · answered by cheri h 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Supposedly, gay sex is a higher transmitter of HIV/AIDS. I'm no scholar on this kind of stuff, though, so I suggest what people have already said- Go ask the company their direct policy.
2007-06-22 08:05:13 · answer #9 · answered by dragon6xx 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
they refuse donations from all high risk groups. anybody who has been in africa knows that they are also not allowed to give blood.
2007-06-22 19:50:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋