Speaking of that statistically unacceptable HIV risk, this is what Héma-Québec evokes when asked to explain its gay ban.
But they also note that they decided not to change the policy after consultation with “consumer groups.” Not scientists; not researchers; consumer groups.
Which means, as we have maintained, that there is no scientific reason, just a PR reason that panders to homophobia.
A final note: The other day, on my bike, I rode past a fire station where a blood drive was in progress. The (hunky) fire guy asked me to give blood, but I told him I couldn’t because I’m a homosexual. He had no idea that this policy applied; I had to tell him.
Anyway, you can see why I’m less than sanguine (ha!) when I see those tearjerking commercials with the adorable little girls with xenopolyhepatodiacuprocythemia who will die horribly unless you go and donate blood right this minute. Well, I would, but you might catch The Gay; much better to exclude me and my COMPLETELY HEALTHY BLOOD THAT YOU DESPERATELY NEED entirely.
Well that’s the real reason they won’t let you donate. Of course science has demonstrated that sexuality is physical, and largely genetic. The gay alleles in your blood could cause an epidemic of homosexualism throughout the province.
I’m curious about how widespread this seems to be, based on this thread. Blood groups I’m familiar with are all wildly paranoid about anything that could be even remotely construed as giving people something in exchange for donating, because any kind of compensation could encourage people to lie about their history. The company I know best would never agree to participate in a blood drive at a company that had this kind of policy.
I get the general idea behind this, but I wonder if that policy’s a bit overboard. There’s ways to anonymously prevent them from using your blood for anything.
And given what was mentioned above about not offering rewards for whole blood donation, why is that not a problem for selling plasma? You can’t make a fortune at it but I’ve known people who did it and if you go frequently, it’s a tidy little addition to your paycheck.
Ok, you guys have caused me to set up an appointment for next week - the soonest they have one. I haven’t donated every 56 days like some of you! But I do have a decent history of donation. My little blood donor card has all the dates (which I wrote in by hand) -
(Some of these dates might be a little off, as it’s hard to read after all these years). I actually turned 17 in 93, which is the age you can donate, but in '90 I’d contracted malaria so couldn’t donate until five years later.
In 2002, I had a pretty bad experience…the woman pricked a nerve or something, and my arm hurt and felt numb and weird for six months afterwards. Kind of scared me off donating, and (obviously) I haven’t been back since. I fear that kind of thing might do some permanent damage. Does it? I have no idea, but it’s still scary. I’ll try starting again, though.
I do love this little card that tells me my blood type and all that. I really need to get a new card, though, as it’s worn out pretty bad.
Education is only as good as the mind of the student.
Strike one. I didn’t say I was in favour of the policy. I said your hissy-fit response was inappropriate. We can argue the “political prejudice that has no valid scientific backing” if you like - my understanding is that MWHSWM are a statistically higher-risk group and that, not political prejudice, dictates the policy.
As to what other countries do? Heh. The States wouldn’t take my blood because, y’know, being English and all I’m necessarily riddled with vCJD. But do I go screeching that no-one should donate blood in the States? No, I do not. :rolleyes:
Yeah, I believe you understand me.
A figure you’re heroically trying to up. Strike two.
No, I wasn’t insulting gay people, I was insulting you, ignorant of whether you yourself are gay or just pretentiously self-important over what you view as a gay rights issue. Strike three jerks thumb in direction of dugout. But I’ll take your clue and call you a cunt instead.
I had to go and check again that this was in the Pit, since most people have been pretty nice. Well, you did a pretty good job of making it clear! :eek:
Whats this about not being allowed to get anything from donating? Its not much, but they always give us free T-shirts and coupons for free pints of ice cream. Granted, its not like being paid to donate, but it is some kind of compensation.
