Blog Post #2
The idea of gay men being able to donate their blood has been an ongoing issue not only in Canada, but in many parts of the world for a long time. Some people agree with this while others disagree. "Gay men who wish to donate blood in Britain will no longer be banned from giving - a move also being considered by Canada" (Lomaga, 2011). Although the idea of gay men being able to donate blood is being considered, there are still some rules around this.
The ban may be lifted "as long as their last sexual contact with another man was more than one year ago" (Lomaga, 2011). This rule may seem unfair and be seen as a discrimination to gay men. However it may also be seen as alright condition by some; "many men say they considered the lifetime ban to be unfair, discriminatory and lacking a clear rationale, whereas a one-year deferral rule was generally seen as feasible and acceptable" (Lomaga, 2011). However if you think about this, is it really right or fair that men who are gay need to not have sex for one year in order to give blood? How many gay men are not going to have sex just so they can donate blood? This rule may seem like an easy way out, and make blood services look less discriminatory to some people, or to others it may look like positive progress towards equality of gay men.
Many people feel as though everyone should have the right to donate blood, no matter who they are or what they do. According to Franklin (2007) there is no clear right to donate, and that donors or potential donors should be given the reason(s) as to why they are not able to donate. There is a questionnaire given to each person who wishes to donate their blood. This includes a broad range of questions about a person's "medical history and potentially harmful behaviors" (Lomaga, 2011). Currently men who are intravenous drug users, people who have sex in exchange for money, and men who have sex with men are not allowed to donate their blood.
The questions asked on the "Record of Donation" by Canadian Blood Services are to ensure that blood recipients are receiving safe blood. It is their right to receive blood that is free of diseases. "Blood services must provide safe blood, but also try to avoid discriminating against potential donors" (Franklin, 2007, p. 164). So what should be the rules on this? Everyone seems to have a different opinion, and the topic is one that will continue to be controversial. Should gay men be able to donate blood? Or should they not be allowed to donate their blood due to an increase of risk for spreading HIV/AIDS? Not all men who have sex with men are infected with HIV/AIDS. Something to think about...
I believe that anyone who wishes to donate their blood should be allowed to, and blood should be tested to enure it is safe. Some people - men, women, young or old - may have HIV/AIDS and not even know it. Not all men who have sex with men have HIV/AIDS either. I find it wrong to just assume this. Women who have sex with women can have HIV/AIDS, and women who have sex with men can also have HIV/AIDS. Blood is something necessary that we as humans need to live and survive. I think having the most blood on hand for blood transfusions (etc) should be the focus. Test the blood...ensure it is safe, and do not discriminate against people!
As humans we have rights. According to Nedelsky (2008) we can refer to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to see these rights. The rights of humans is a really sensitive subject. To my understanding, liberalism and its views speak and advocate towards the rights and the freedom of people. As mentioned above, I believe that as humans - no matter who you are - you should be able to donate your blood. We should have a right to do so. This blood may one day save the life of a person. No one should be excused from this and not be allowed. As stated before blood should be tested to ensure it is safe, because you never really know who could be carrying a blood disease such as HIV/AIDS.
Meagan
References:
Franklin, I.M. (2007). Is there a right to donate blood? Patient rights; donor responsibilities. Transfusion Medicine, (17)3, 161-168. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3148.2007.00754.x
Lomaga, A. (2011, September 8). Blood-donation ban for gay men gets 2nd look. CBC News. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/09/08/blood-donation-gay-ban-deferral.html
Nedelsky, J. (2008). Reconceiving Rights and Constitutionalism. Journal of Human Rights, 7:139–173. doi: 10.1080/14754830802071950
"Record of Donation" questionnaire by Canadian Blood Services (sample only)
I think that this topic is a very interesting one, and important one. We need more blood donors; it's something we couldn't get enough off because of our population and all the different blood types out there. I, personally think that everyone should be able to donate blood, there are tests that can be done before hand to make sure that you have clean blood and so as long as you have clean blood which is something that people have to get done on their own they should be able to donate blood. I once read a case study in my law class where a man tried to donate blood knowing that he had HIV/AIDS. This is against the law and I'm pretty sure he was charged and or jailed. So I mean if they are clean they'll have no worries to donate blood but if the aren't clean and their caught there are huge consequences since now they'd be putting other people's lives in danger. Great post and I like the picture :) I have it too haha
ReplyDeleteBY: Chelsea L
I learned something new from reading your blog post. I did not know that homosexual men could not donate blood and was banned in Canada. I was extremely frustrated to read that homosexual men could only give blood if they have not participated in any sexual contact with other man within the past year. I believe that giving blood is a great cause and that people shouldn’t be filtered out because of their sexual orientation. I believe that everyone should have the right to donate blood without any discrimination and that tests should be done on all blood donated to make sure that it is safe and clean. Hopefully in the near future Canada will lift the ban and allow anyone to donate blood regardless of who they are.
ReplyDeleteKristen – Mental Illness Group
I didn't know that this was happening at all! Although I'm not part of the LGBTQQ community, I'm passionate about promoting the rights of people who are, and this issue clearly discriminates against those people. During the AIDS epidemic of the 80's, people believed that only gay men could become infected. This is very far from the truth. As you stated, anyone of any sexual identity can get HIV/AIDS. People of many demographics can have the disease, but they are not discriminated against. I think that it is so unfair that this ban is in place. Because of a problem I have with certain hormones I have in my blood, I cannot donate, and it bothers me. I wish I could donate to help people, but I don't want to make them sick. I think it is so unfair to both gay donors and the recipients that they are missing out on getting the blood they deserve. What frustrates me the most is that they don't turn away "strait" people for being strait, nor do they turn away gay women. There are far more gay men without AIDSd then there are with AIDS, so really, there is no legitimate reason for a ban. If they wanted fair grounds for a ban, they should make everyone take an AIDS test before donating. -Morgan (Disabilities)
ReplyDeleteI feel that there is still a stigma that HIV is a gay mans disease. I think that if people can be education about the topic more will learn that this is not the case. You would learn that any person, male or female, rich or poor are just as capable of transmitting HIV/AIDS. I feel that everyone should have the opportunity to donate blood and not be turned away strictly because of their sexual orientation. Blood donations are very important, and I feel that as long as the participant goes through the proper testing to make sure there blood is up to standards, that they should not be turned away. Not only is the donor being discriminated against by not being able to give blood, but the recipients are missing out on the blood that they deserve to be getting.
ReplyDeleteAlysha (LGBT)
I feel that this is such a contraversial issue in so many countries. However I can see where each side is coming from I do not believe it is fair that gay men should have to wait any longer than straight men. I agree with Alysha about HIV being "a gay man disease". However the fact is that straight males and females can get HIV as well. Perhaps some steps or precautions need to be taken but if you are going to take them with gay men then you should be taking them with everyone. It should in my opinion not be an issue of which gender you choose to be with that determines whether or not you donate, but rather can your blood help or save the life of someone in need.
ReplyDeleteErica
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI have a difficult time reading about Canada discriminating against someone’s blood. We have come for far as a society in regards to the LGBT community and I feel this pushes us back almost where we started. The precautions should be taken with each individual person in order to protect the person receiving the blood from HIV/AIDS. This should not have anything to do with an individual’s sexual orientation. Every person has potential risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. In my personal opinion this issue should not be an issue. Blood given could potentially save lives and the fact that we are turning it away could potentially cost lives.
ReplyDeleteBritney (LGBT)
I don't think that someone should be denied giving blood due to their sexual orientation. If it is a matter regarding whether one individual has HIV/AIDS, I think majority of people, not just gay men have similar chances on contracting this disease. I feel as though this is very discriminatory and like Britney said so mnay steps back from the progress we've made in the LGBTQ community.
ReplyDeleteI think the same screening should be done for every person wanting to give blood so that optimum amounts can make it into the hospitals and given to the individuals who need it most.
I still think it's preposterous that gay men aren't able to give blood. There are many people in need of blood transfusions, and not accepting a man's blood because you think it's "unclean" is ridiculous. That's why you get tested before you give blood. It's the same procedure for everyone else, why is it different for queers? I also think there's a social stigma attached to this issue. Although people don't know the donor, they don't want to accept blood that could have potentially been from a gay man because of the stereotyping that they basically ALL have HIV/AIDS or some sort of STI. There is no difference between blood. Why is there no stigma for atheists giving blood? Catholics? Asians? Blacks? People living in poverty? There shouldn't be an issue at all on this, as the same testing is done on gay men as is with the rest of the population.
ReplyDelete-Spencer (poverty group)
The fact that this issue is still relevant in today's time is appalling to me. We seem to have come so far in human rights, yet we are still denying someone the right to donate their blood, in order to help someone else. As Morgan stated in her comment, anyone, regardless of their sexual identity and orientation, can contract HIV/AIDS, yet they're still able to donate blood. It is sad to hear that these laws are still intact, as our society seems to have made so many strides in the rights of human beings.
ReplyDeleteJessica
What a good topic. I had no idea this was going on. You really opened up my eyes to just how much stigmatization still goes on now a days. I mean honestly, to refuse blood donations from a male who is gay because he may have come into contact with HIV aids is crazy. Firstly, that blood could be life saving, secondly, have they forgotten that other people contract the disease other ways? Do they not test blood before giving it to people, all blood, not just men who are gay? There has got to be a better way but just that this is an issue shocked me. I am very interested and will most definitely be doing some personal research into this. This blog sparked my curiosity.
ReplyDeleteAngele
**realizing now that I failed to post my name on nov 8th. at 11:27pm**
ReplyDeleteKristin*