Susan Cress director of the AIDS awareness organization of Calgary stated "So if they take somebody’s blood, screen that blood and conduct an HIV test on that blood, and it’s negative, then they should be able to move forward and use that donor supply and have these individuals become part of building a stronger blood supply in Canada.”
Dr. Graham Sher, the CEO of the Canadian Blood Services points out that gay men still make up 48.5% of the HIV community. He stated that "that's why Canadian Blood Services hasn't completely repealed the ban." But what about the other 51.5% of people who have HIV? Are they discriminated against in any way or is it just the gay community?
Although every bag of blood donated has to go through proper protocol testing making sure that the blood is healthy enough for donation, the Canadian Blood Services' continues to deny the gay community the right to donate.
Susan Cress also stated “If Canadian Blood Services is following those protocols and screening all of their blood for HIV, for hepatitis C and for other blood-borne pathogens, then there shouldn’t be an issue at all in letting this population be a part of the community and be a part of saving lives.”
It is only fair that everyone is given the equal chance to donate if they don't have any of the deadly and dangerous blood diseases such as HIV or AIDS. They should not be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation.
- Elysha
Stark, Erika, and Calgary Herald. "Ban may be eased for gay male blood donors." Calgary Herald − Breaking news, business, sports, video and classifieds. N.p., 5 Dec. 2012. Web. 9 Dec. 2012. <http://www.calgaryherald.com/health/eased+male+blood+donors/7651583/story.html>.
Thank you for the update on this blog. For me, this is one of the issues that stood out the most regarding things I never knew about groups in the class. I completely agree when you said what about the other percent of people who make up the HIV/AIDS populations? Why are we discriminating against men who are gay? Haven't we come along further than that as a society? With all the testing technology we have I think this should be rethought.
ReplyDeleteAngele
Thank you for this Elysha. I cannot believe that this is true. You would think that since there is not problem with HIV or STIS, hepatitis C in this person that it would be okay for him to donate blood and help someone else out who needs it. But no sexual orientation is defiantly an issue and affects blood. WRONG that has nothing to do with donating blood and it should not be a problem for a gay man trying to help someone else out by donating clean blood. This is not right.
ReplyDelete- Alyssa
I remember hearing about this issue in the past, and honestly had not even thought about it until I read your blog. I'm glad you wrote about this. I didn't realize that they were still denying gay men from donating. With my lack of awareness to this issue, I had just assumed that things had changed. This I think is the problem with many issues, if someone doesn't hear about it they assume it must be resolved.
ReplyDeleteI agree that if all blood is being tested anyway, then why not allow everyone to donate. There are straight men out there who could be a great risk for these diseases because of their lack of education on STI's/HIV or their carelessness towards protection.
- Denise
This is a really upsetting issue. I can't even believe it has came down to this. To me it doesn't matter if 48.5% of the male population is gay and has AIDS because the other 51.5% more than likely has AIDS too. This is discrimination and it is so pointless. It seems like the government just puts laws out just to make the world that much harder. If they screen the blood and it is clean then they should be able to donate it because it's clean blood and nothing is wrong with it. Anyone could go to a blood clinic and have AIDS because AIDS is everywhere, that's why they screen the blood in the first place. This issue actually annoys me because it is pointless and so upsetting. There should just be a law in general that states that you aren't allowed to donate blood if you have AIDS. But even then, they still have to screen the blood either way.
ReplyDeleteBy: Hunter
Thank you for addressing this issue. As you mentioned, they screen the blood regardless of who you are before passing it on to someone who needs it. Therein lies the dilemma, people do need it! This blood saves lives. If someone is willing to sacrifice their time and energy to donate, then they should have the opportunity to do so. If any of these infections are revealed, it simply won't make it past the screening process. I understand the need for precautionary measures; however, that is why they screen the blood!
ReplyDelete- Kayla T.
Great job on your blog post. I was unaware that these issues are still problematic with regards to gay men being refused to donate blood. There is a need for blood donations so why is it that they are complaining about whether your gay or straight. Either way they are going to screen it and test so why not let them donate, hospitals are always in need of blood because it does does save lives. I find it very stigmatizing and insulting especially with all the issues they have to deal with on regular basis.
ReplyDeleteThanks Allison
I really enjoyed reading this blog post. I think that it is really unfair for the blood donation services to have this discrimination on gay men. It is very unfair for the gay men who want to give to their community and help out if they are not HIV positive. they should just let everyone donate because they have to make sure all the blood is clear anyways because it isnt only men who can be HIV positive.
ReplyDeleteLorie