Comments on: UK lifts blood ban

By: Timothy Kincaid

Timothy Kincaid — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 21:25:24 +0000

I find the one year ban reasonable. Statistically – like it or not – gay men are more likely to have contracted HIV. And – like it or not- gay men who believe themselves to be in monogamous relationships are much more likely to have HIV than heterosexual men who believe themselves to be in monogamous relationships AND heterosexual men who are sexually promiscuous.

That has nothing to do with “who cheats more” and is simply recognition that cheating happens in both gay and straight relationship – but the risk of contracting HIV from a lyin’ cheatin’ snake is much higher for gay men.

CPT_Doom,

I’m not 100% certain, but I think it applies to general and anonymous organ donors. I think that if you were a match for your sister that a specific donor situation would consider other factors.

By: Mark F.

Mark F. — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:30:03 +0000

“… the blood of a heterosexual man who has multiple sexual partners will be eagerly accepted.”

Well, heterosexual men only rarely contract AIDS in the West. Heterosexual male cases usually turn out be drug users or men on the down low.

By: CPT_Doom

CPT_Doom — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 07:56:25 +0000

Let’s also remember this ban is not just about blood, but also organ donations. if my sister – my only sibling- needed a kidney, I would be barred from helping, even if she were willing to take the risk.

What is really sad is that there has been zero research to determine the true risk factors for HIV transmission, in terms of behavior, while our government continues to stigmatize gay men as diseased freaks.

By: woulfe

woulfe — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 06:09:09 +0000

This new policy (same as the policy in Australia) still amounts to discrimination based on membership of a group. A monogamous gay couple will still be denied the opportunity to donate blood because they are gay, not because of their real or likely HIV status. Conversely the blood of a heterosexual man who has multiple sexual partners will be eagerly accepted.

Familiar old anti-gay prejudice in a new guise.

By: Christopher

Christopher — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 03:12:32 +0000

Big deal. If you’re sexually active, we still don’t want you. Promiscuous and str8? Go to the front of the line.

Only the celebate need apply.

By: Mark F.

Mark F. — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:24:25 +0000

A reasonable change.