Gay Marches ...

[Dan1089]

living in certain areas of Africa

It's very sad that I live in a country that has one of the highest HIV infections in the whole world.For you guys,HIV must be an abstract concept but for us SAn youth,it's a very real concept as we see people die from it everyday. Anyways,when you donate blood here,you fill out a questionaire that enquires a bout your sexual orientation/history.This seems pretty much standard but we soon discovered that the Dept of Health simply threw away the blood given by gay donors.This rather Neanderthal-minded since there are WAY more HIV+ straights than there are gays.:frown: Just another day in Africa.

[Shadow]

I wonder if there's a legal position to be considered if they actually throw away the blood you're donating ...

... I know it's not an actionable battery because you've consented to having the needle RAMMED into your vein, but it's almost akin to obtaining goods under false pretences if they then chuck it, having had no intention of using it in the first place ...

... interesting, but yes - it doesn't detract from how SH!T it is ...

You have my sympathies babe xx

!?!?! Shadow !?!?!

[Dan1089]

Don't Cry For Me!I Will Survive!*that's the gayest thing I've ever said*

[Shadow]

Bless you !!

I should bl**dy well hope so !!!!! :biggrin:.

x

!?!?! Shadow !?!?!

[Michael]

That's why it's better just to have them tell you up front, so you don't donate and have it and your time wasted.

And again...while there are more straights with HIV, they are, unfortunately, in Africa. Proportionately in the west, the group, as a whole, with the highest rates of infection are gay men. It doesn't mean there are MORE of us, (because around the world more striaghts than gays are infected) but as a group we have higher rates. This is one of those times it's not about us, but about them.

Also, like I said, if you heterosexual and have visited/had sex with someone from africa, they ask you also not to give. It's just too risky for those getting the blood.

[Shadow]

There is, however, another consideration - not every gay man is sex-oriented ... some poor guy sitting out there who's totally apathetic about having sex is also having his nose put out of joint because he can't give blood.

... whilst, on the flipside, some straight slut who's spent their entire adult life banging away like a woodpecker is being drained of their claret and knowing they've made a difference.

Tarring any entire group with a single brush can only lead to mixed responses ... but yes, as I say, I take the point, and shall say nooooooo more about it mile:.

!?!?! Shadow !?!?!

[Michael]

I totally take your point.....

But the chances are still slimmer that she will give blood while infected than one of us. It's just a numbers game unfortunatley. The poor celibate can always lie if he is so determined to give.

But like I said before 2 (although I believe the number was actually 3 when we had this discussion on the boards, but I won't go out on the limb for sure) out of 4 gay men don't know they are HIV positive.

There is a bus outside our movie theater every friday and saturday night asking for donors. It makes my blood boil in a way because it feels so descriminatory and I want to say something rude when they ask me......but then I ask myself what if it was my nephew or niece, or your mom or dad, getting blood in an emergency from someone infected just because we didn't want to feel discriminated against.....

By the way, I think that slut has to answer some questions as well.