What are your thoughts on the American Red Cross denying gay men to donate blood?

The policy is posted as a result of an FDA regulation NOT a result of ARC. For two decades, the Food and Drug Administration has prohibited gay and bisexual men from giving blood as a precaution against AIDS. But three major blood collection agencies, including the American Red Cross, argue the practice is no longer warranted. The FDA disagrees. Joel Ginsberg, head of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association, says the ban unfairly discriminates.

I think that's stupid. First of all, how are they gonna know you're gay in the first place? It's not like there's a gay sticker on your i.d. or anything and it's illegal for them to ask. Second of all, these days, aids isn't as much of a mystery as it used to be. If you know you have it, why the hell would you donate blood? If you don't know you have it, they screen the blood before they give it to anyone. The risk of them missing it is very very slim. There's such a blood shortage today I think it is naive and irresponsible for the Red Cross to deny anyone no matter what.

Then why not deny anyone else who has had sex at least once with anyone since 1977? They are just as much at risk for HIV. Someone should tell them this is no longer the 1970's or 1980's. Don't they test any donated blood anyway? That's why there are AIDS and other blood testing.

There are other conditions that barr people from donating blood, not just HIV status or being a member of an "at risk" group.

Because we've seen HIV positive people knowingly infecting others, I think the Red Cross must take precautions to protect society as a whole.

The problem is they fail to see the complexity of sexuality. I have been donating regularly since I was 18 and have always been gay. I have never been sexually irresponsible nor (to the best of my knowledge have my sexual partners) Yes there is uncertainty, but no more (perhaps less) than my hetrosexual counterparts. So unless you have are planning on putting a blanket ban on everyone who has ever had any sort of sexual relations since 1977, then they are being unfairly discriminatory whatever balderdash theories they might use as justifications!

Pretty fricken idiotic seeing as aftrican american woman are infected/getting infected more frequently than gay males, but if the red cross want's to deny people life, then let that be on them, murderers.

The FDA claim this is to prevent those engaging in "high risk behaviour" from donating. IV drug users however, are allowed to donate after a 30 day waiting period. Weird.....thats pretty high risk behaviour to me.........Basically anyone engaging in sexual activities these days is committing high risk behaviour, so who's left?? Nuns?

I have no problem with it. Its a medical necessity. I have not given blood even though a lady I know does the drives right where I work.

I look at it as a double Dam. You screen people and you test the blood. If one fails than you got the other one.

If you think its a civil rights issue -- it is. The person getting infected blood has had his or her civil rights violated.

Case Closed. If the experts say otherwise and change the rules I will give blood but I think its a very wise precaution.

Remember that kid something White that died of aids when he was about 12? You want to talk about unfair, talk to his Mom about that.

Sperm banks do it too. At $200 per sample just for jerkin the gerkin into a cup I disagree! Lol. I should be able to donate sperm too!

They do this with TG and TS's as well.

They are stereotyping by implying that members of the GLBT community are promiscous.

They should be judging the merits of an individual instead of pidgeon holing groups.

It's wrong what they do.