Students Tap New Vein of Gay Issue

LA Times ^ | 15 July 2005 | Steven Bodzin

[Aussie Dasher]

WASHINGTON — For more than a decade, gay rights advocates have grumbled about a federal policy that forbids blood donation by men who have had sex with men.

They say that the policy, originally intended to keep HIV-positive blood from entering the nation's blood supply, implies gay men are inherently ill and that it prevents healthy people from donating.

Occasional protests and talks with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which oversees blood banks, have brought no change.

Now, some college students have taken up the cause, and they're taking a new tack. Instead of pressuring the FDA directly, they are going after the American Red Cross — the largest and highest-profile blood collector in the country.

[Aussie Dasher]

There they go again...Public health V. "gay rights"...and the winner is?

[maro]

People who disagree with this policy should set up their own blood banks, and offer patients a choice. Liberal patients would be free to back up their blather with a decision to take the other kind of blood.

[D.P.Roberts]

"They say that the policy, originally intended to keep HIV-positive blood from entering the nation's blood supply, implies gay men are inherently ill"

Well, DUH!!

[marmar]

Gee....I was stationed in the UK for a 1 1/2 years and I am not allowed to give blood. I am extremely healthy, but because of the fear of mad cow disease, I can't give blood. I want to, I just am not allowed to.

[LasVegasMac]

Occasional protests and talks with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which oversees blood banks, have brought no change

And that is the way it needs to stay.

I wonder what they would say if told they can only get blood transfusions from other gays?

LVM

[NativeNewYorker]

let's ask Hillary what she thinks.

[Echo Talon]

What a bunch of retards. Why should a high risk group WANT to donate blood? Do you want to kill other people? I cant give blood because I take medication for epilepsy and I don't feel disenfranchised in any way. Hell i have to take enough blood test as it is, getting sick of needles.

[tophat9000]

Students Tap New Vein of Gay Issue

Tap New Vein?...No double entendre there

[dhs12345]

But no, remember that the rules that apply to the rest of us don't apply to them.

[dhs12345]

"Do you want to kill other people?"

They don't care. They are more concerned about their "rights."

[Dan from Michigan]

Where's that Sam Kinison skit about AIDS again? It should be required listening to these jokers.

[dhs12345]

Wonder if iv drug users are allow to give blood?

[Tax-chick]

Hell I have to take enough blood test as it is, getting sick of needles.

I know how you feel, to an extent. I'm pregnant every other year.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

LOLOLOLOLOL

[sofaman]

If you are from Africa, you can't donate blood either. But I object...as a true minority, I want equal status. This reeks of discrimination. As a White African American Orthodox Jew, I demand my rights as a double minority.

Besides the fact that it is extremely confusing to celebrate Kwansaa and Chanukkah at the same time. The looks I get as I light my Menorrah at the Kwansaa festival....if looks could kill????

[Tax-chick]

Can't give blood, either ... it would wreak havoc on the recipients' hormone levels.

[ican'tbelieveit]

I think you should protest, have press releases, and hold high level talks. :-)

[sofaman]

You need to take up a hobby...or buy a TV...

[sofaman]

If you are from Africa, you can't donate blood either. But I object...as a true minority, I want equal status. This reeks of discrimination. As a White African American Orthodox Jew, I demand my rights as a double minority.

Besides the fact that it is extremely confusing to celebrate Kwansaa and Chanukkah at the same time. The looks I get as I light my Menorrah at the Kwansaa festival....if looks could kill????

[Tax-chick]

My husband just bought a new truck. Maybe that will help.