Although there have been many barriers broken within the gay community, from unions and marriages to military equality and more there is still one huge barrier adding to the yield of progression within the gay community, hit the jump for more details!
Despite lacking any “sound science” in support that it is a risk for HIV negative gay men to donate blood, there continues to be a 30 year old ban stopping unaffected men from donating blood at banks!
“In June, the American Medical Association voted to oppose the policy. AMA board member William Kobler called it “discriminatory and not based on sound science.” Last month, more than 80 members of Congress wrote to the Department of Health and Human Services, criticizing the lifetime ban as an outdated measure that perpetuates inaccurate stereotypes about gay men”
The Food and Drug Administration – the HHS agency that regulates America’s blood supply – has been standing their ground when it comes to the issue although there has been a lack of evidence proving the the uninfected men are still at risk: “The lifetime ban will be eased, the FDA says, “only if supported by scientific data showing that a change in policy would not present a significant and preventable risk to blood recipients.”
“We do not think HHS is moving fast enough,” said Jason Cianciotto of Gay Men’s Health Crisis, a New York-based nonprofit engaged in AIDS prevention and care.
Cianciotto stated: the ban “perpetuates the stigma that gay and bisexual men are dangerous to public health,” and thus undercuts efforts to combat HIV.
“It’s very personal to a lot of people who would like to donate and yet are barred while knowing themselves not to be at risk,” said Brian Moulton, legal director of the Human Rights Campaign, a national gay-rights group.
“People perceive of giving blood as a civic duty,” Moulton added. “The current policy puts gay and bisexual men who are going to be honest in an awkward position during a blood drive. People ask, `Why aren’t you giving blood?'”
Susan Stramer, executive scientific officer with the American Red Cross stated: “We’ve mounted as much pressure as can be mounted,” Stramer said. “Now it’s a question of time… The best we can hope for is a gradual change in policy.”
“The FDA is not homophobic – they are risk-averse,” said Katz, the network’s executive vice president. “We are going to get rational on this only by being patient and dogged.”
It is unbelievable to think that a ban like this is still in place even after scientific evidence proves that uninfected men are not a threat when donating blood. It seems like this is a perfect form of legalized discrimination
