Gay men and blood donations?

Apparently, Canadian Blood Services, says,

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.

Its classified as HIV High Risk Activity.

How true is this really? Apparently it's being challenged as discriminatory.

http://www.bloodservices.ca/centreapps/i...

http://hs.facebook.com/group.php?gid=239...

I don't care if they don't want my blood. Fine, don't take it - I don't like needles anyway.

In my case my partner is HIV+ and I am not. But I understand why I might not be allowed to donate.

What I don't understand is that if I had only been with one man in my life... even if it was 25 years ago... I could not donate blood (assuming I was honest about it). However if I was with multiple female prostitutes last year... my blood would be accepted.

I think thats so stupid. Everyone has the same chance.

That's like saying your more likely to get a cold becuase you have big nostrils uggggh

This is the case in most, if not all, industrialized nations. The US, The UK and Canada all have laws against sexually active gay men donating blood.

Granted, one would THINK such industrialized nations would ALSO screen blood donations for HIV/AIDS virus...but it's also possible that if an individuals viral load is extremely low that conventional tests may not catch it.

It may not seem fair, but there is good reason for it.

Yes I would say it is discriminatory. I would also agree that gays would be at greater risk, but only with multiple partners. If one is in a monogamous relationship and both have been HIV free, and get tested every year, then I see no reason why they could not give blood.

It isn't just Canada I am not allowed to give blood here in America either.

yup its like that here too in the US. Just safety that's all, really doesn't bother me cause I don't like giving blood.

It just goes to show... the stereotypes are enacted in our laws. As if all gay guys are have HIV, that's absurd. They test the blood for HIV and other STDs, so I don't see what the problem is.

I can understand with the discovery of HIV in the 70s that may have sparked some fear-- but c'mon, it's 2007. We know the risks and how to protect ourselves.

That's like saying if my brother needed a kidney and I was the only person to give him one I couldn't just because I was gay... it just doesn't make any sense. We're trying to save lives, and if you know you're infected, why the hell would you donate?

Ugh. stupid stupid stupid. Yeah well, not surprising.

This is also the law in the UK. The National Blood service website questionnaire actually has a question that asks in no uncertain terms if you are a gay male, and then automatically disqualifies you if you say yes. I couldn't believe it the first time I saw it.

That just sickens me to no end. That blood saves people's lives...and they'll let somebody die because of their own homophobia? It's disgusting. They're just as likely to get HIV infected blood from a heterosexual--our sexuality doesn't automatically make us carriers of HIV. Why doesn't somebody speak up and do something about this? This is just like "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Because of prejudice, homosexuals are not allowed to provide help where it is needed.

Every month, blood mobiles come to my high school and students are allowed to donate. I want to be able to start next month since I'll be out of school the day they're coming in November. As much as I HATE needles, I'm a universal donor and I have blood to spare...why shouldn't I donate? If it saves someone's life, I'll gladly face my fear once a month for them. I'm still a virgin, but I want to be able to as often as I can for the rest of my life simply because I can...and if that means having to lie about my sexuality, well, I think the greater good lies in saving someone's life. Besides, they're honestly going to know if I'm gay? I'll just lie, plain and simple...and if wherever I happen to donate blood finds out about my sexuality, I'll go somewhere else. I won't let prejudice stop me from saving people's lives.