Unwanted Blood

[Bloodcinder]

I thought about something today when I read an article about Australian blood donation policies. Then I remembered I had written an op-ed for my crappy college newspaper about it. I figured I'd just let it suffice.

http://link.bloodcinder.com/studies/Blood.jpg

(Ignore the high-lighting. When I scanned the paper in, I had that marked as where I officially came out on a Baptist campus in a school newspaper. Hehe.)

This is not only the case in the US. It's pretty much that way everywhere currently, even in Canada. I'd like to see how people feel about this.

MOR TAL KOM BAT

Let it be known, by the way, that as far as biology laymen with computer science degrees go, I'm an expert on this topic, and I will not hesitate to provide sources from my definitive work on HIV/AIDS transmission if anybody makes invalid claims.

[Z]

Wow, I actually didn't know about this policy. I agree, it's ludicrous that it is still in place.

[Killer_Man_]

That's stupid, if they screen the blood before it's used then it shouldn't be a problem.

[deathofcheese]

For a while, I myself was barred from donating blood. The one time I donated, I later got a letter that said that my blood had failed the larger pool test (multiple people's blood in one test) but didn't fail the specific test (individual's blood per test) for HIV/AIDS. While by their standards, I didn't really have anything to worry about, I was still justifiably upset. Here I am, a virgin that hadn't done any drugs, smoked anything, and only drunk for a buzz, and I'm being told that there might be something wrong with my blood. I went to the doctor for a test and it came back negative, so I was in the clear.

I do think this is an unfair standard. Back when we didn't understand AIDS very well, it would've been ok, if still a little unfair, but a good precautionary measure. Now that we do know, however, the rule should be updated to include all possible carriers of bloodborne pathogens/illnesses as well as equal 'quarantine' time periods for everyone.

I hope this isn't offensive, but a healthy homosexual's blood is just as red and clean as any other healthy person's blood.

[Bloodcinder]

I hope this isn't offensive, but a healthy homosexual's blood is just as red and clean as any other healthy person's blood.

Heh, I don't see how that could be taken as offensive. (Setting aside the H word.)

[chefTENGU]

I've thought the whole thing was ridiculous since the first time I had to fill out one of those forms. I think the way they worded the question was merely "Have you ever had sex with a man?"

I'm assuming they give out different forms to women, but if they don't, then that just further illustrates the hypocrisy of rejecting a gay man's blood out of hand when Miss Stinky Vagina McProstitute's is above suspicion.

Anyone can get HIV. We have the technology to detect it before it is accepted for donation, and we already do anyway. This policy is just a relic from the days of GRIDS and should be done away with.

[Bloodcinder]

The policy of American Red Cross is the same as that of Canadian Blood Service. This is the policy of Canadian Blood Service:
All men who have had sex with another man, even once, since 1977 are indefinitely deferred. This is based on current scientific knowledge and statistical information that shows that men who have had sex with other men are at greater risk for HIV/AIDS infection than other people.The policy is not the same for lesbians, and no question is asked about their sexual activity. The current question is some variant of "Are you a man who has had sex with another man even once since 1977?" with an answer of "yes" being an instant disqualification.

[Seegtease]

What's there to debate? Obviously it's silly. They test the blood, the blood is good. Use it. Being gay, even if they are at higher risk (but anybody is at risk), is irrelevant since they can see this stuff in blood before they accept it.

[Bloodcinder]

What's to debate? That's pretty much the question people keep posing to the blood donation authorities, but they refuse to change their policies. Even the Canadian Blood Service chose in 2006 specifically not to change the policy.

[Seegtease]

Maybe they don't want everybody getting infected with gay-itis.

[Bloodcinder]

I think that's about the extent of the logic at this point.

Heh, one of my friends once threatened jokingly to slit my wrists and bleed me on a third friend to turn him gay so he wouldn't be upset over his girlfriend issues. My response was something about how with great power there comes great responsibility.

[Bloodcinder]

Amusingly enough, I found out on Thursday that the first national organization in the US to combat the gay blood ban is starting up at my school soon. I am going to find out about their petition. If anybody is interesting in signing it and if they provide the ability to do so electronically, I will make that available.

[chefTENGU]

You're an instigator!

It's nice to see someone's actually gonna try and do SOMETHING about this.

[Gio Takahashi]

Oh very nice.

[Seegtease]

Maybe you can join them, hehe.

[Bloodcinder]

I have no interest in joining their organization. That involves too much commitment, and I had enough of organizations in undergrad.

Interesting story about their organization so far, by the way. They once staked a Red Cross blood drive, encouraging people who are allowed to give blood to give blood but handing out pamphlets explaining why gay men are not and how that needs to be changed. The Red Cross threw out all the blood from that drive because they thought the organization had "sabotaged" it.

Not kidding.

[chefTENGU]

That's ridiculous. They have access to labs and can test for that sort of thing, which the do anyway regardless of the answers you put on the questionnaire.

What an utter waste, and the Red Cross has no one to blame but themselves.

[Bloodcinder]

Well, that's the kind of sensibilities we're dealing with here. Not only do they think gay people are diseased and capable of "sabotaging" blood, but they think that we're also somehow evil enough to want to contaminate a donated blood supply.

Besides, the organization, though it is addressing the Red Cross in general, is actually after the FDA, which sets the guidelines that the Red Cross follows. The Red Cross isn't even the real target.

[Gio Takahashi]

Wow that has gotta be the dumbest thing I've heard.

[Seegtease]

Wow, wasting all that blood is really disappointing. People don't go there to be poked with needles for fun. Why on earth would they think the blood was sabotaged? That would be so counter-productive for trying to get them to accept blood from gays. There's no logical reason whatsoever for Red Cross to come to that conclusion. Who the heck do they hire?

[deathofcheese]

Maybe they think gay people have evolved the power of inflicting their gay upon everyone else with a 50 ft. stare.

[Bloodcinder]

I think they thought the organization was encouraging banned gay men to donate blood while lying on their forms. Of course, the organization did not do such a thing.

[Seegtease]

That should be obvious. Lying to get around the rules would do nothing for the cause of allowing them. So stupid.

[Bloodcinder]

I just saw on Fox News during dinner a report that there is currently a blood supply crisis in this country. I got physically ill with anger.

[deathofcheese]

That's because you were watching Fox News while you were eating.

[Seegtease]

Somebody needs to make an ad combining that announcement and raising public awareness that gays are not accepted.

[Bloodcinder]

The organization had its first meeting today. Unfortunately, only myself and one friend from Big Gay Thursday showed up other than the organization's founder and its advisor.

Apparently, we're starting out with HIV/AIDS prevention campaigns. We have an agreement with a local care house to disperse free condoms throughout town, in bathrooms, at frat houses, et cetera, as well as informative brochures.

Not exactly what I figured we'd be doing, but it's a stepping stone to actually addressing the blood ban. Also, I might get to hand out condoms on the drunk bus!

[deathofcheese]

The drunk bus? o_O

I would be encouraging, agreeing that it takes small steps, but all too often have my endeavors that started out doing something I didn't think was related to my end turned out to be wasted towards an end that I didn't want to accomplish.

What?

I guess what I'm trying to say is to have faith, and push them hard in the way you think will be effective. Don't exactly be militant in recruiting people, but do keep encouraging other people to join you.

[Bloodcinder]

Generally late on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays the bus fills up with drunk people heading back from the bars and clubs: hence the drunk bus.

Indeed, on the other stuff. I don't particularly myself plan to be too heavily involved in anything. I've got too much stuff to do.