SPOILER ALERT: He WASN’T gay!
22-year-old Aaron Pace tried to donate blood at a blood donation center in Gary, Indiana earlier this month, but he was rejected because they said he “appears to be a homosexual.” WTF?
Here’s what Aaron had to say about it:
“I was humiliated and embarrassed. It├óΓé¼Γäós not right that homeless people can give blood but homosexuals can├óΓé¼Γäót. And I├óΓé¼Γäóm not even a homosexual.”
The blood center’s decision stems from a policy implemented in 1983, which states that men who have ever had sex with another man, since 1977, cannot donate blood.
Given the fact that ALL BLOOD donated is now tested for HIV and other infectious diseases, it seems absurd to call out gays…and it seems REALLY ABSURD to call out someone just because they “seem” to be gay!
Here’s what American Red Cross spokeswoman Karen Kelley had to say about the policy:
“The deferral of men who have had sex with other men is still in effect in Indiana and across the country ├óΓé¼ΓÇ¥ with all blood banks, not just the American Red Cross ├óΓé¼ΓÇ¥ because all blood banks must be in compliance with FDA regulations.”
“We recommended that the deferral criteria be modified and made comparable with criteria for other groups at increased risk for sexual transmission of transfusion-transmitted infections.”
“While we are disappointed with the committee├óΓé¼Γäós decision, our organization is obligated by law to follow the guidelines set forth by the FDA regarding donor eligibility.”
Hopefully some progress will be made with regards to this policy sooner than later. Everybody should be allowed the opportunity to give blood, especially if all blood is tested in the same manner for everyone.
EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL!
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