I just went to donate blood today, but because i'm gay, i wasnt allowed to. IS THAT LEGAL!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

firefly

I've never heard of that. Surely it cant be legal.

Paul W

i can tell you that it's not just being gay that would stop them from taking your blood, the place i go to is very tight on rules, if you have a visable scab or a cut they will not take your blood. they will not take your blood if you have been out side the USA in the last year and they will not take your blood if you have been in jail ever. the list goes on...
being gay is just one on many things on the list, for the record yes it is legal to refuse a DONATION from anyone for any reason, if i gave blood and had a problem with my blood they would refuse to disclose my name to the reciving party and would have to take on the liability if any themselves.

cornfunkel

Why wouldn't it be legal? They're just trying to keep AIDS infested blood out of the blood supply. They screen all of it, but the less they have to dispose of, the easier their job is. Percentage-wise, way more gay people have AIDS than straight people. Plus, packing the poop chute is a good way to spread other blood borne diseases, too.

dumplingmuffin

yes it is perfectly legal why shouldnt it be?You are a verisk Hiv and Aids carrier,why would anyone want your infected blood

silverblack12345

wow, really? That is discrimination at it's worst I would think. I know HIV is very prominent in that gay community, but you still can't stereotype all gays like that, im shocked and im against that lifestyle!

fredthedog52

Yes it's legal. we are trying to stop the spread of AIDS. You may not have it personally but it is very prevalent in gays.

zen

It is not simply because you are gay, and yes, it is legal. The American Red Cross has a whole list of screening questions.

I am a blood donor, and ANYONE, including gay people, who engages in certain high risk behaviors is ineligible to donate.

It is to protect the blood supply.

They have a whole list of health, behavior, and travel questions. They are trying to err on the side of caution, I think.

mo-z

no way can that be legal, thats insane!!! Do you live in kentucky or something?

prkswllflwr

Unfortunately, yes.

I'm gay also, but female. This past year, a bunch of my gay guy friends at my University protested the law, but unfortunately, it's national.

The reason for this is simply that the law was made back in the 80s, when AIDS was FIRST becoming an epidemic in this country, and it was known as the gay cancer *at the time*.

Something that people should know is that today, African-American women have the highest statistics of being HIV+. Not gay men.

The law should obviously be changed. I don't see the Red Cross banning black people's blood...

druid

If that were true, it would not be (directly) because you were gay, but because of your STD risk factors (which are, unfortunately, much higher among gays).

papa bear

they should both be illegal,,,,donating blood and being gay !!!!!!!!!

Daisy

I certainly hope so! Gays are far more likely to have HIV or AIDS than nongays!

Loli*Q

i guess that is discrimination but maybe you should as a legal advisor i dont know the law at your place.

just julie

I have no idea. You need to contact the Better Business Bureau and give them the name and address of the blood bank to find out. They will know. You could possibly have a discrimination law suit in result of this. Again, I do not know, so just check with them and find out. Good luck and at least you tried.

I just read other peoples answers a minute after posting mine.

MO-Z**********!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...
I do not appreciate the
INSULT AGAINST PEOPLE IN KENTUCKY
THAT IS SO INAPPROPRIATE. THERE ARE MENTALLY CHALLENGED PEOPLE EVERYWHERE AND MAYBE YOU FIT IN THAT CATEGORY.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...

Melissa B

Nope it isn't....they can only denied u if u teste postitive for any ill borne blood patogens, hepitits, HIV, anemia etc etc., recent tattoos and piercings...recent surgeries, illness like a cold or flu...but not for being gay...so if u mention u had any of those during ur screening then that's the reason u were denied.

Karmically Screwed

If you haven't been tested- it is legal for them to turn you down. A guy (who's not gay fyi) friend of mine was turned down because he hadn't been tested.
If they we're just like- 'get out you queer' for no reason, then let me know and I'll go in there and slap them right across the face for you hun.

Celestial Dragon

I have donated blood for close to 25 years and I cant ever remember being asked if I was gay. This sounds like a personal problem to me

BBQribs

Gay blood has too much testosterone in it.

lovelyladypoet

Wow, that really doesn't make sense. I believe it is illegal and if it isn't it should be!

Clarence Q

First, I want to say that I resent the comment by Mo-z. I am from Kentucky and very well educated.

As for the question, I am sure that no one kicked you out and refused your blood because you are gay unless you have a disease or other compelling reasons. Please do not give us your gay hatred crap just to make us feel sorry for you. Some of my best friends are gay and they certainly do not blame every problem that they face in life on being gay. Here's reality: If you can't stand the punishment do not do the crime and if you wish to be gay do not whine when someone does not bow down and kiss your a##. You are not going to get any special treatment because you are gay.

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