Posted on 02/23/2005 8:47:22 PM PST by Lorianne
DURHAM — The University of New Hampshire’s Student Senate will consider adopting a resolution tomorrow that would challenge the federal government’s policy of banning sexually active gay men from donating blood.
Sponsored by student Sen. Nicholas Christiansen, a 19-year-old sophomore, and the student senate’s Community Change Council, the resolution wants the Food and Drug Administration and the American Red Cross to become, in its words, “aware of our strong opposition to the policy that bans sexually active homosexual males from ever donating blood, and that the students are dedicated to equal treatment and opportunity for all people, regardless of sexual orientation.”
If adopted, the resolution would recommend that UNH seek a group other than the Red Cross for campus blood drives. The FDA’s policy has been in place since the 1980s and is meant to avoid spreading HIV, the virus that causes AIDs. About half of reported cases of HIV infections are among gay men.
“We’re not trying to ban the Red Cross from our campus, at least not immediately,” Christiansen said. “The resolution states that we’re going to try and find someone else to take our blood.”
Christiansen, who is gay, said he began working on the resolution during winter break after friends questioned why gay men are prohibited from giving blood. He acknowledged that the Red Cross is adhering to federal guidelines but said his resolution calls out the Red Cross because that group opposes any change in the FDA policy.
Michael Freedman, chief of American Red Cross Blood Services for New England, said the issue has been raised on other college campuses in the region but he was not aware of a formal resolution from a student government group. He said the Red Cross is following FDA guidelines in barring gay men sexually active since 1977 from being blood donors.
“We are supportive of the science that would make the blood supply as safe as possible, and allow as many people as possible to donate safely,” he said.
Other factors limiting blood donation include illness, drug use, and time spent in countries with diseases or viruses that can be passed through blood. For example, travelers to the United Kingdom are not allowed to give blood in the United States because of fears of spreading mad-cow disease, Freedman said.
The Red Cross holds blood drives on the UNH campus throughout the academic year.
College campuses and high schools provide about 360,000 pints of blood, or 15 percent, of all the blood collected for banks in New England, Freedman said.
“All major colleges are important,” he said. “First, because of the volume, and also because people can donate over their lifetime and we believe it’s important to get people to start early and get in the volunteer mindset of donating blood.”
Freedman said Red Cross representatives would speak with UNH students about the policy if invited, but that he was not aware of any Red Cross representatives planning to attend the student senate meeting tomorrow.
“I think a lot of people say, they’re the Red Cross, and they are great, but it doesn’t mean they can discriminate,” Christiansen said. “I think it would send a really strong message to say even the Red Cross can’t do this.”
Great. Another wacko in politics.
yeah,...the RIGHT to hold you down,and restyle your hair,...then an optional BigWetOne
That's what I was thinking: donate all you want - we'll throw it into the incinerator as soon as we get back to the lab.
FWIW, this policy is one from the FDA - not the Red Cross.
Blood has a limited shelf-life.
I didn't know that. Even if they freeze it?
I know they have "plasma" the clear liquid saline they can use as a substitute if you need some "temporary" filler(blood).
My thoughts exactly ..We've gone mad I tell you . Wouldnt you like to grab a moron like that and smack him across his face. ?
So, when are the heroin junkies going to insist upon giving blood too?
No. Freezing destroys the RBC's.
I wouldn't want to physically touch him. I bet he's a bug chaser.
Not only that, but has anyone noticed the Red Cross bears a religious symbol, one like the Los Angeles city seal used to have before it was banned? How can church-state separation abide an organization with such religious overtones being endorsed by a public university? Shameful!
Anyone who has lived in Africa or who has had sexual relations with someone who has lived in Africa is also barred from donating blood. Apparently there are STD's in Africa for which there are not good screening tests for their blood.
I was equally offended in the islands one time .There ,in the night sky is the Southern Cross ..What disrespect the universe has for atheist and non religious people. Is there no justice ?
Only if you are planning to have that accident in the near future. The shelf life of blood is very limited.
...Christiansen, a 19-year-old sophomore..
19..he's only recently learned to wipe his own ass at 19 and NOW he' knows everythigng about the worldand RIGHTS no doubt.
wow1 that's kewl. let's just contaminate the blood supply. (/s)
"Fair enough, take it - just make sure to label it for liberals only."
hahahaha! Exactly :)
YIKES! No way jose. Not planning on having any kind of accident, :)
A 19 y.o. illiterate, PC-raised brat! Maybe he needs to go somewhere to get a real education! Try a hosptial wing that treats AIDS patients, especially the ones who have received tainted blood, and maybe this guy would learn the sorrows of those who did nothing wrong, but will die from this lifestyle disease b/c those with promiscuous lifestyles think they can do anything they want with no consequences. As a nurse, every time I read one of these I want to throttle the author and his stupid parents or former teachers who think they are so "with it" and sophisticated! When will this stupidity end?
You won't believe this one.
One more step and they're going to demand that sodomy be mandatory.
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