We gays are not allowed to donate our blood. I've been tested for HIV and am negative, and I'm in a monogamous relationship. I don't think my chances of getting HIV are any greater than anyone else in the general population -- actually, I think my chances are lower.
I can understand prohibiting those exhibiting risky behavior from giving, but to ban all men who have had sex with another man even once since 1977 seems a bit extreme. How do they define sex, anyway? Does it have to be without a condom, or does it matter if there was a condom used? What about the women who have slept with men who have had gay sex?
Anyway, this doesn't prevent closeted gays from giving blood who might be doing the most risky of behaviors. Anyone can just lie and say they haven't had gay sex. I know that some government agencies give 4 hours of leave for blood donors. I'm sure that's enough incentive for many to lie. Also, some closeted men might feel pressure to give blood so it doesn't look like they can't give, because then others might suspect they've had sex with a man. Honest gay men that know they are healthy, however, are banned for life.
Below is an excerpt of an Associated Press story about the ban from last year. Don't get me started on the headline. Obviously gay men physically "can" give blood. It is just not permitted.
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Banned for Life: Gay men can't donate blood
WASHINGTON - Gay men remain banned for life from donating blood, the government said Wednesday, leaving in place — for now — a 1983 prohibition meant to prevent the spread of HIV through transfusions.
The Food and Drug Administration reiterated its long-standing policy on its Web site Wednesday, more than a year after the Red Cross and two other blood groups criticized the policy as “medically and scientifically unwarranted.”
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The good old FDA was in the news more recently when a group of scientists sent a letter to our new soon-to-be new president. It basically said the agency was corrupted.
According to the letter, FDA managers "committed the most outrageous misconduct by ordering, coercing and intimidating FDA physicians and scientists to recommend approval, and then retaliating when the physicians and scientists refused to go along."
Perhaps when the new administration finally arrives, this is another mess they can work on correcting.
