A completely random thought process.

[faithinchris]

I was listening to the radio yesterday at work and heard this story about two university campuses in California with varying ways of protesting the rule that men who've ever had gay sex at any point in their lives are barred from being blood donors.

This is one of those things that I don't spend a lot of time thinking about, just because I have a lot going on in my life already and if they don't want my blood, it's their loss. But since it came up, I will go on the record as saying that I think it's VERY STUPID.

I get why they made it. Contaminated blood supplies were one of the boogeymen of the 80s. Plenty of rules are made in overreaction to traumatic events. Then, when they've served their purpose, we get rid of them.

So why hasn't this one been gotten rid of? Because there are apparently still people that think gay = HIV, and they're freaking everywhere. As young gay men of the current century, we have all pretty much figured out what our risk factors are, and that getting tested for things is a necessary part of life--what was that line back in the 90s in Reality Bites? "The free AIDS clinic: the rite of passage for our generation." You know what? Promiscuity is the risk factor here, not homosexuality.

It just frustrates me, even though barring some huge natural disaster (more likely in my part of the world than industrial accident or terrorist attack) the blood supply around here will probably be fine. Because it's STUPID. I've been in a monogamous relationship with the same person for almost ten years, and we've both been thoroughly checked out for everything. And I'm AB negative and not afraid of needles.

And I grumbled about this a bit on the bus ride home from work, and then I got home and got distracted by So You Think You Can Dance, which both awakens my latent Broadway fantasies and turns me into kind of a queen. I probably shouldn't watch, but I just can't resist. It's too early for me to pick a favorite, but I do like looking at them.

Comments

[frogmajick.livejournal.com]

It really is complete shit. I know more people who have gotten hepatitis from tattoos than gay or bi men who carry any diseases beyond the same ones everyone gets (flu, cold, etc).

What's really really complete shit is that all anyone has to do is check 'no' on the little questionaire. I honestly have no idea if anyone I've ever had sex with has had sex with a Haitian man since 1984. If they have? What the hell would I do about it now?

I'm a huge advoacate of blood donation and can't wait for my 12 months to be up so I can donate again. I've already gotten my gallon pin. (And yes, I am stupidproud of that)

[faithinchris.livejournal.com]

I honestly have no idea if anyone I've ever had sex with has had sex with a Haitian man since 1984. If they have? What the hell would I do about it now?

Exactly! I mean, I have definitely engaged in risky behavior at earlier points in my life, but if every other category of person gets a twelve-month window, why is mine FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER?

[frogmajick.livejournal.com]

Because blood donation is sacred like marriage. /sarcasm

I don't know, but I really hope they overturn the rules because as it is, blood donation is crucial and excluding a portion of the population who could be eligible is pure and simple stupid. I'm O- and they love me. It's sad I can't donate any more often than I do.

[faithinchris.livejournal.com]

That and gay men give you AIDS. :p

And that's very awesome of you. And yes. I'm statistically the rarest blood type, so you'd think they could use it.

[delmarsdoll.livejournal.com]

I was directed to your site by a friend. We are having a similar discussion on ONTD_Startrek of all places. I am a hetero female who is freely able to give blood now that my statute of "had sex with a gay/bisexual male" has passed. I am torn, though, because I feel as if I am violating my oath to stand up for human rights(I prefer human rights over gay rights because it should all be based on the fact that people are all human, right) if I do give blood. I have one daughter who is gay, one who is bisexual, and a son who is too young to know yet but all signs point to fabulous. (I do not even know what is in my genes). I am interested to know where you stand on the people who are able to give blood giving blood in the face of this ban. I realize we can't all quit giving blood (well, I guess we could but it would have less than desirable effects), but, ugh. It just all rubs me the wrong way.
On a completely unrelated note, your icon is my absolute most favoritest m/k pic of all time! Hope you don't mind if I borrow it.