We published this story in today’s issue of Dallas Voice about hearings under way — in the Department of Health and Human Services Committee’s Advisory Committee on Blood Safety and Availability — to consider revising current policy banning blood donations by any man who has had sex with another man since 1977.
Well, the hearings ended this afternoon with a 9-6 vote not to recommend any changes, despite the fact that the scientific and medical communities — and major blood banks — recommended that the policy be changed to prohibit donations only from men who had had sex with another man within the last year, according to Towleroad.com.
Apparently men who have had sex with female hookers and men and women who have had sex with an HIV-positive partner (even unsafe sex) can still donate, as long as they wait a year after.
That makes perfect sense, doesn’t it?!
(Makes you kind of think that maybe these folks on the HHS committee are more concerned about people catching gay than they are about people catching AIDS.)
The Human Rights Campaign has issued a statement expressing disappointment in the vote and adding this info: “The Committee did acknowledge, however, that the current policy is imperfect and recommended additional research to support a policy that would allow low-risk gay and bisexual men to donate. The Committee’s recommendations will now be considered by the Assistant Secretary for Health.”
It’s amazing that the breeders are willing to cut off their noses to spite their faces!
Homophobia, I just don’t get it.
as long as you’re DDF then what does it matter? and have they not realized how many gay men give blood each year anyway? It’s not like they give you a lie detector test, its a mere checking of a couple of boxes, with a yes or no beside it – and they can’t “accuse” you of being gay, they can only deny you if you’re blatantly obvious, and even then with the metrosexual craze taking over (ruining everyones gaydar) it’s still sort of hard to prove whether someone is gay or not.
So it’s ok to ask me if I’ve had sex with another dude in the past year? And what if my response is “None of your fucking business… I’m here to help another person live, not to find a sexual hookup!”
Does that mean they throw me out because I won’t answer the question?
Wow…. And am I allowed to ask them when the last time they had sex was and demand references in return?
And what do you suppose their behavior would be if they found out I have very rare blood type but got a blowjob from my boyfriend yesterday? Gee.. guess that would rule me out too huh? Or, do you suppose there would be some bending of the rules since I don’t get into butt fucking?
Nope, sorry Mr. Breeder, no rare type blood for you today cuz I sucked cock yesterday and “oral sex” is still SEX.. Buhh Bieeee…. Remember that while your car accident victim is croaking on the operating room table and you ran out of donated blood to give him. Might as well call the morgue now.
@Rick, that seriously made me laugh, and I honestly think I will try that the next time I GIVE blood…and throw in a “OH, by the way, I’m a homo, who’s had a lot of sex in the last year….and btw, I’ve been giving blood twice a year for the last 5 years…guess you better run out and take it back from the people that have recieved it!”
@BDUB, Well when you think about it, how many people do you know have gotten HIV infected from fellatio ?? Geez… Now if someone cums in your eye.. that’s deadly.. but when someone says having sex with other men I need to know if Blowjobs count?
So maybe when we’re asked that question, our reply should be “Do you consider Blowjobs as sex, or just Butt Fucking?” and then sit back and watch the expression on their face.
Then if they reply positive to the Blowjob question, ask them if they’re aware that their so-called hetero male partner is probably just as guilty as you are…
Then demand proof of how many tainted blood samples they’ve received in the past by men who snack on “tube steak” or play the “skin flute” now and than… and I bet you they can’t.
Yup.. discrimination at it’s best goin’ on here…