Colleges Starting To Ban Blood Drives!

From MercuryNews.com:

In a controversial move believed to be a first by an American college, San
Jose State University President Don Kassing has suspended all campus blood
drives because of a longstanding government policy that bars gay men from
donating blood.
The policy by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
"affecting gay men violates our non-discrimination policy," Kassing said in a
lengthy e-mail sent to faculty, staff and students earlier this week.

The ban on gay men donating blood is discrimination and it is unethical. It's a holdover from the bigoted days of then Senator Jesse Helms, who pushed for it. It should end immediately.

Jim

The Bigoted Ban Against Gay Men Donating Blood

High on the list of things that make my blood boil, pun intended, is the archaic and bigoted lifetime ban on giving blood directed at any gay man who has ever had sex with another man.

This ban is totally discriminatory and a relic of the past. In these days I hear pleas for blood donors on a daily basis. The science does not support an arbitrary lifetime ban on gay men in light of the fact that other even higher risk groups are not excluded, and all donated blood is tested. Before the ban I was a regular blood donor. This policy hurts innocent people who could benefit from blood donations by people such as myself.

I have just read and signed the petition: "FDA: Stop Banning Gay Men From Donating Blood"
Do you believe gay men should have the right to donate blood? Please take a moment to read about this important issue, and join me in signing the petition. It takes just 30 seconds, but can truly make a difference. Please sign here:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/395725675

Thanks and Happy New Year!

Jim

PHOTO: Philadelphia's Boat House Row beautifully illuminated for the holidays with all new hi-tech LED lighting (click on the photo to enlarge it)