- Signatures: 2,792
- Goal: 1,000
- Deadline: 9-15-2007
See Full Petition
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Are you aware that since 1983, any man who admits to EVER having had sex with another man is placed on a lifetime deferral list and is ineligible to donate blood? This is due to the ignorance and fear surrounding AIDS in the 80's.
Are you also aware that Black and Latina women currently have a higher HIV infection rate than gay men? Furthermore, ALL blood that is donated is tested for HIV and many other diseases. There is simply no need for this discriminatory ban to continue in this day and age.
The FDA must be persuaded to lift this ban, as their counterparts have done in Spain, Italy, Australia, Switzerland, and even Russia! Please sign the petition and send it to anyone who may be interested in supporting equality and ending discrimination. Thank you.
To read the article that started all this, go to www.azstarnet.com/opinion/138927 (Cut and paste, as the link does not work) and visit www.LetUsGive.com for more info. Contact me via the link below.
If you are able to donate, please do so. We do need blood. If you are not, please encourage someone else to donate on your behalf.
Thank you, and PLEASE! Pass it on! That's the only way we're going to make a change.
Are you also aware that Black and Latina women currently have a higher HIV infection rate than gay men? Furthermore, ALL blood that is donated is tested for HIV and many other diseases. There is simply no need for this discriminatory ban to continue in this day and age.
The FDA must be persuaded to lift this ban, as their counterparts have done in Spain, Italy, Australia, Switzerland, and even Russia! Please sign the petition and send it to anyone who may be interested in supporting equality and ending discrimination. Thank you.
To read the article that started all this, go to www.azstarnet.com/opinion/138927 (Cut and paste, as the link does not work) and visit www.LetUsGive.com for more info. Contact me via the link below.
If you are able to donate, please do so. We do need blood. If you are not, please encourage someone else to donate on your behalf.
Thank you, and PLEASE! Pass it on! That's the only way we're going to make a change.
| Number | Date | Prefix | Name | State | Zip/Postal Code | Country | Send your message to the FDA here. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,815 | 9:05 pm PST, Nov 4 | Thomas Ackerman | Florida | 32313 | United States | Why is my blood less valuable than a heterosexual person? Why is my blood insignificant, when in today's world, thousands of individuals are in dire need of blood? Who are you to deny healthy, safe individuals the ability to share their blood and help others who need it? | |
| 2,814 | 7:42 am PST, Nov 3 | Ms. | Jessica Erichsen | Pennsylvania | 19148 | United States | Why is a healthy, willing homosexual man banned from donating blood, but a African-American or Latino drug-addicted prostitute would be able walk right in and donate? This completely boggles my mind. |
| 2,813 | 2:16 pm PDT, Oct 29 | Jaclyn Ralph | California | 95667 | United States | HIV is not a gay disease, stop treating it that way! | |
| 2,812 | 2:43 pm PDT, Oct 28 | Ms. | Alisha Piekarski | Minnesota | 56537 | United States | It doesn't matter untill people starting dieing becuase the increaseing blood shortage in america. HOW MANY HAVE TO DIE BEFORE CHANGE IS MADE???,,, This is frekin ridiculous if a gay person has good blood why the hell not let them donate!? |
| 2,811 | 4:07 pm PDT, Oct 24 | Mr. | Tim Eich | Colorado | 80111 | United States | As a medical student and future health care provider, I am astounded that discrimination is such a powerful factor in maintaining the shortage of blood across the country. At the very least change the regulations to reflect behavior, not category. |
| 2,810 | 10:51 am PDT, Oct 23 | Anonymous | Wisconsin | 54915 | United States | You need to start letting gay's donate. The discrimination is ridiculous, and uncalled for. You test blood anyway and there is such a need for it, why would you turn willing participants away? You need to stop hating and start saving more lives. | |
| 2,809 | 4:02 pm PDT, Oct 17 | Ms. | Zoe Belvin | North Carolina | 28204 | United States | There is no legitimate reason to ban gay men from donating blood. The only argument with any sort of credibility is the AIDS argument, which, as this group has shown beyond the shadow of a doubt, holds no water whatsoever. No other group is banned from donating- this is a clear-cut case of unconstitutional discrimination. |
| 2,808 | 11:28 am PDT, Oct 16 | Mr. | Daniel Tao | Massachusetts | 01267 | United States | Given the amount of effort the Red Cross and other organizations spend trying to convince people to donate blood, it seems awfully to undermine their efforts by preventing a group of people who would otherwise happily donate from donating for no good reason. We've developed blood tests for HIV, and we're pretty sure homosexuality isn't a bloodborne illness, so there is no reason to continue this outdated and narrowminded policy. A lot of us would be happy to do our part, if you'd only let us. |
| 2,807 | 6:56 pm PDT, Oct 11 | Ms. | Anonymous | North Carolina | 28205 | United States | Please lift the restriction that currently bans gay men from donating blood. The policy is a relic from a time of fear and discrimination, and we can no longer allow it to influence or represent our values. It sacrifices potentially life-saving donations in the name of an outdated prejudice, and sends the message that an entire group of Americans is still considered dirty, dangerous, and unworthy of saving the lives of their peers. The time has long been ripe for a change. |
| 2,806 | 7:56 pm PDT, Oct 4 | Richard Shafer | Maryland | 21042 | United States | Please lift the ban on blood donations from gay men. The current policy only encourages men to lie and screens potentially lifesaving blood from injured people. i would like to see the look on the dying person's face if you told them that you couldn't save their life because you didn't allow a guy who has had "sexual contact" with another guy to donate. Ask them if they would care. Your responsibility is to save lives, not to exclude a group of people by making generalizations about their health and promiscuity. | |
| 2,805 | 9:33 am PDT, Oct 2 | Anonymous | New Jersey | 08098 | United States | We all bleed the same blood. This is evidently discrimination against a large sector of the population that otherwise could help in the fight against the shortage of blood. Let them give! | |
| 2,804 | 10:35 am PDT, Sep 21 | Anonymous | Pennsylvania | 15955 | United States | There is no need to continue this discrimination. Especially now that you test the blood. Let us help you save lives. | |
| 2,803 | 7:17 pm PDT, Sep 20 | MacKenzie Lunney | Kansas | 66061 | United States | It's ridiculous to not allow gay men to donate. Absolutely ridiculous. | |
| 2,802 | 11:44 pm PDT, Sep 16 | Kelsey Rook | Oregon | 97405 | United States | please allow my friends and loved ones to make a difference!! | |
| 2,801 | 7:39 pm PDT, Sep 16 | Joshua Berkowitz | Massachusetts | 02375 | United States | End discrimination! We want to give blood too. | |
| 2,800 | 12:49 am PDT, Sep 16 | Mr. | Al Britten | CV5 6DT | United Kingdom | Just plain discrimination | |
| 2,799 | 1:03 pm PDT, Sep 8 | Corban Bates | Texas | 75207 | United States | Ridiculous | |
| 2,798 | 8:34 am PDT, Sep 2 | Kaitlyn Proto | Massachusetts | 02134 | United States | With the advanced methods of HIV testing available today, the ban on gay men from donating blood is not only unnecessary, it's discriminatory and a danger to our nation's blood supply. | |
| 2,797 | 4:40 pm PDT, Aug 25 | Marc Silva | California | 95380 | United States | Today I drove 30 minutes to the closest blood bank, and filled out all the paperwork to find out that the United States of America does not see me as an equal citizen in the eyes of the law. I'm disappointed in this country; I truely feel like a second class citizen. | |
| 2,796 | 12:33 pm PDT, Aug 25 | Ms. | Meredith Gasco | Michigan | 49855 | United States | The lifetime ban on men who have had sex with men, even once, since the 1970s is discriminatory and unscientifically sound. The current wording of the question does not allow for gay men who are in monogamous relationships or gay men who routinely practice safe sex, who would have much lower chances of being HIV+ than any higher-risk group (very few of which are deferred for more than 12 months before donating again). If anal sex and HIV is a major concern for the blood supply, then at least reword the question to specify unprotected anal sex. |
| 2,795 | 1:09 am PDT, Aug 24 | Samuel Honner | 2518 | Australia | The ban on gay men, who've had sex within a year, donating blood is not only stupid, but actually quite scary. The reasons given by the FDA for this makes it seem like they wouldn't test for STI's. Shouldn't they simply run as many tests as possible to see if there is an STI present? I'm not allowed to donate because I'm gay, yet I'm a Universal Donor, and blood donation agencies are complaining about how little blood they have available... The question should be "Have you had sex with anyone who may have had exposure to STI's within the past year?" and have it apply to everyone. | ||
| 2,794 | 4:02 pm PDT, Aug 22 | Ms. | Andrea Santaquilani | Tennessee | 37416 | United States | I beleive that this is a very ignorant thing to do.I beleive that just because a person has a certain orientation,it shouldnt be assumed that their blood is not worth donating.If they offer to help save someones life,they should be looked at in the same way any other doner is.Please stop this rediculous system based on a steriotype. |
| 2,793 | 8:23 pm PDT, Aug 10 | Brian Orlando | Rhode Island | 02895 | United States | This is an old ban, and needs to change. | |
| 2,792 | 11:36 am PDT, Jul 22 | Mr. | Sergio Morua-Martinez | New York | 11213 | United States | Dear FDA, Please stop banning gay men from donating blood. Not only is your policy concerning blood donation discriminatory, but it is also quite out of date. Nowadays, as opposed to 1983 when your policy was enacted, blood is routinely tested for HIV infection. It would be reasonable for you to allow all men and women who are HIV negative to donate blood and help save lives. |
| 2,791 | 8:16 am PDT, Jul 21 | Anna Flanagan | Maine | 04103 | United States | The idea that all gay men have AIDS is harmful and false. Ending this ban will save lives. | |
| 2,790 | 4:37 pm PDT, Jul 17 | Mr. | Jonny Puglia | New York | 11742 | United States | Why Can't I ? |
| 2,789 | 6:25 pm PDT, Jun 28 | Amanda Care | Illinois | 60201 | United States | Why lose lives over sexual orientation? | |
| 2,788 | 9:47 pm PDT, Jun 22 | Mr. | John Salinas | California | 94501 | United States | It's finally time to allow healthy gay men to do their part. Blood donatios are tested for many different diseases currently, including HIV. Allowing this group to donate regularly would increase the amount of blood being donated significantly. |
| 2,787 | 9:48 pm PDT, Jun 20 | Jonathan Morley | Michigan | 48801 | United States | Seriously? This "guideline" is stupid and pointless. If I want to save a life, I should be allowed -- nothing else should matter. | |
| 2,786 | 6:04 pm PDT, Jun 14 | Nathan TerMolen | Michigan | 49426 | United States | The current policy puts the public at risk by reenforcing the myth that HIV is a gay disease. If you're going to exclude people based on as broad an identifier as sexual orientation and not based on what their actual risk is,race should be included. Why not ban African-American women? Their risk is elevated. Why not include religion, state/city of residence and level of education? Oh, that's right...it's not acceptable to discriminate based on THOSE criteria. The current policy is a shameful, blunt and bigoted disservice to all Americans. | |
| 2,785 | 5:31 pm PDT, Jun 11 | Kia Sherrod | North Carolina | 27610 | United States | This is the most ignorant thing I have ever heard of. As a fighter of gay rights this sickens me. It reminds me of the ignorance that is killing us. | |
| 2,784 | 6:53 am PDT, Jun 11 | Marie Andrews | Rhode Island | 02835 | United States | This ban is motivated ONLY by extreme prejudice and should be revoked. | |
| 2,783 | 9:22 am PDT, Jun 10 | Mrs. | Anonymous | Finland | This is archaic and discriminating. | ||
| 2,782 | 11:52 am PDT, May 29 | Mr. | Jake Steiner | Washington | 98115 | United States | This is archaic and discriminatory. |
| 2,781 | 4:53 pm PDT, May 28 | Mr. | Paul Birkvold | Washington | 98270 | United States | It is very important to update your policies and stop discriminating!! |
| 2,780 | 12:40 am PDT, May 24 | Sarah Haugse | Montana | 59102 | United States | Because of the advances in modern medical technology to test blood for various diseases, this ban should be lifted. It is discriminatory. | |
| 2,779 | 9:01 pm PDT, May 22 | Aaron Tindall | Pennsylvania | 15213 | United States | I want to help. Why can't I? | |
| 2,778 | 1:35 pm PDT, May 21 | Frey Seagrove | Utah | 84058 | United States | I'm a healthy man with O positive blood. Let me help save lives too! | |
| 2,777 | 11:04 pm PDT, May 20 | Mr. | Ryan Magnuson | Illinois | 60660 | United States | Please stop the discrimination. |
| 2,776 | 10:23 am PDT, May 15 | Mr. | Greg Vinkler | New Jersey | 07060 | United States | Stop this now! |
| 2,775 | 9:04 am PDT, May 14 | Rebecca Blair | Kentucky | 40383 | United States | Stop Banning Gay Men From Donating Blood | |
| 2,774 | 8:53 am PDT, May 14 | Grace Weitz | Illinois | 60201 | United States | It is common knowledge that the AIDS epidemic is not just affect gay men. Furthermore, the use of safe sex practices have greatly increase. If we do not have sexual discrimination in the workplace and other areas of our life here in the United States, there should not be discrimination when giving blood. Millions of people need the blood that is donated, so stop banning gay men from donationg blood. | |
| 2,773 | 7:34 am PDT, May 14 | Anthony Scribano | New York | 10128 | United States | Something needs to be done to overturn the FDA ban. It is ridiculous that today in 2009; individuals have to face such discrimination. Go to your gay and lesbian organizations and talk about what we need to do as a society to change this ignorance towards people based on their sexual orientation. I am going to begin to research and hopefully make a difference towards the lifting of this ban and I am hoping that more people will join together in this fight for equality. Blood testing should sufficient. | |
| 2,772 | 6:50 am PDT, May 14 | Claire Arctander | Illinois | 60625 | United States | healthy blood is in high demand and this policy prevents a large sector of the population from doing their part. | |
| 2,771 | 6:06 am PDT, May 14 | kaitlin Barancik | Illinois | 60201 | United States | This is ridiculous. I can only hope this policy is an oversight. What century are we in? | |
| 2,770 | 8:59 pm PDT, May 13 | Mr. | Tyler Baranski | Illinois | 60201 | United States | This is as discriminatory as the ban against gay marriage. |
| 2,769 | 6:14 pm PDT, May 13 | Jesus Salazar | Texas | 78758 | United States | I want to be allowed to donate. | |
| 2,768 | 6:13 pm PDT, May 13 | Mykell Miller | Illinois | 60201 | United States | False negatives are extremely rare, so testing all blood should be sufficient. | |
| 2,767 | 5:34 pm PDT, May 13 | Gabrielle Knight | Illinois | 60201 | United States | This policy is discriminatory and is not rational. | |
| 2,766 | 4:57 pm PDT, May 13 | Kathryn Smiley | Illinois | 60201 | United States | It's a horrible double standard to universally discriminate against homosexuals due to their chance of getting an STI while assuming that all straight people are negative. | |
| 2,765 | 4:33 pm PDT, May 13 | Mr. | Rich Eide | Illinois | 60201 | United States | Homophobia is insulting to everyone. |
| 2,764 | 4:26 pm PDT, May 13 | Jacquelyn Guerrero | Illinois | 60201 | United States | Anyone who has unprotected sex can get HIV/AIDS. | |
| 2,763 | 1:50 pm PDT, May 13 | Missy Carvin | New York | 10591 | United States | I regularly donate blood and local blood banks are always ind eparate need for blood an dblood products. I see no reason to deny a large percentage of our population from giving the gift of life. | |
| 2,762 | 11:35 am PDT, May 13 | Mr. | Jesus Perez | Illinois | 60645 | United States | I lived thru the 80's and I watched many of my friends not make it thru the epidemic. We as a nation have come far in our fight against AIDS. Blood is life and we can continue to give life. Ffor those of us that survived the 80's let us do something to help others. Let us give Blood. The times have changed, we can be informed, the Blood can be tested and people in need can live full lives. Don't prevent them from LIVING, by preventing us from GIVING! |
| 2,761 | 11:00 am PDT, May 13 | Sherri Hooks | Vermont | 05478 | United States | This is seriously ridiculous with the blood testing that we do nowadays. | |
| 2,760 | 10:10 am PDT, May 13 | Anonymous | Illinois | 60640 | United States | I can't believe that this ban is still in place. | |
| 2,759 | 9:11 am PDT, May 13 | Anonymous | Montana | 59105 | United States | This is total discrimination. As a committed gay men, this is completely wrong. It is ignorant to assume gay people have a disease. | |
| 2,758 | 7:49 am PDT, May 13 | Blood lady | North Carolina | 27613 | United States | I work in the blood banking industry, and I can't believe that people are refusing to donate blood b/c of this FDA requirement. OOne lady states, she would rather die? Tell that to the mom of 26 week old baby that needed EIGHT transfusions. Also, do some research. Gay men are deferred because statistically that group had a higher percentage of positive test for Hep B and Hiv. It's just stats. Their risk 60 times higher than the other populations. We defer all kinds of people for Mad Cow. My goodness, everyone in England is totally banned and the stats are minimal that they have mad cow, but it's a safety net added to the blood supply. Tests for HIV still miss the "window." It may seem crazy, but deferring everyone that lived abroad discriminates much more than the gay male deferral . | |
| 2,757 | 12:27 am PDT, May 13 | Mr. | Elliott Glass | Illinois | 60201 | United States | I know my blood can save lives. |
| 2,756 | 11:33 pm PDT, May 12 | Ms. | Anonymous | Arizona | 85281 | United States | The 1980s are gone. |
| 2,755 | 3:30 pm PDT, May 12 | Ms. | priya patel | Washington | 98012 | United States | i mean come on. is that really necessary? how is that even legal? |
| 2,754 | 12:00 pm PDT, May 12 | stacey morgan | Kentucky | 40108 | United States | they screen the blood anyways, let them donate, not everyone has a disease, and who knows some of these men may have disease fighters in their blood that could help someone! | |
| 2,753 | 7:43 am PDT, May 12 | Mrs. | kelsea feathers | Washington | 98373 | United States | there is absolutly nothing wrong with the blood of a gay man. or anyone thats gay for that matter. the world needs blood and if they want to donate why should there be anyone with the right to tell them no? let them donate! they want to, we need blood, i see nothing wrong! |
| 2,752 | 8:03 pm PDT, May 10 | Ms. | Elyse Dunstan | Virginia | 22150 | United States | I used to give blood regularly until I heard that gay men are not allowed to donate. Do you think the person whose life could be saved is worried about the sex life of the person who donated? "I'm sorry, please don't save my life with that blood. I'd rather die." I really don't think so. Please life the ban. |
| 2,751 | 7:35 am PDT, Apr 30 | Kenneth W. Wood, Jr. | Virginia | 23936 | United States | This makes me think the blood isn't screened as it should be. The country is in such a need for blood, yet so many people are being turned down. |
FDA: Stop Banning Gay Men From Donating Blood
To The FDA:
We, the undersigned, feel that the lifetime deferral on blood donations from men who have had sex with other men is outdated, unnecessary, and discriminatory.
We appeal to you to lift this ban. Hundreds of thousands of otherwise eligible donors are turned away from helping save lives.
We hereby pledge that we will fill the blood banks as we all donate blood the week this ban is lifted.
Note: This FDA: Stop Banning Gay Men From Donating Blood petition was submitted by Peter Brooks, RN. ThePetitionSite.com is a free service provided to help concerned citizens rally support for issues they believe in. The opinions expressed by this petition do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of ThePetitionSite.com or Care2.com. There is no express or implied endorsement of this petition nor any newsletter offers (except those from Care2.com) by Care2.com, Inc, ThePetitionSite.com, or our sponsors. If you believe this system is being abused, please contact customer support.
Questions about this petition? Contact the petition sponsor: Peter Brooks, RN.
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