- #1
kyle_soule
- 238
- 1
What do you all think of the Red Cross being asked not to come to a college because gays feeling uncomfortable?
Red Cross Removed From College After Gays Report Uncomfortability
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the decision to ask the Red Cross not to conduct blood drives at a college due to concerns from some individuals about feeling uncomfortable around the organization, particularly in relation to LGBTQ+ individuals. Participants explore the implications of blood donation policies, perceptions of discrimination, and the broader societal context of these issues.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
- Technical explanation
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- Some participants question why LGBTQ+ individuals feel uncomfortable around the Red Cross, suggesting it may relate to perceived discrimination in blood donation policies.
- Others argue that the Red Cross's exclusion of gay individuals from blood donation is based on outdated fears related to HIV/AIDS, which they find unjustifiable.
- A participant points out that the FDA regulations, not the Red Cross itself, dictate the exclusion of certain groups from donating blood, including men who have sex with men.
- Concerns are raised about the potential for discrimination against individuals based on sexual orientation, with some arguing that anyone can carry HIV regardless of their sexual orientation.
- Some participants express frustration with the blanket policies that exclude certain groups, suggesting that proper screening should suffice to ensure blood safety.
- There is a discussion about the historical context of blood donation policies, including references to regulations stemming from the AIDS crisis and other health concerns like Mad Cow disease.
- Participants express differing views on the balance between safety in blood donation and the implications of such policies on LGBTQ+ individuals.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants do not reach a consensus on the appropriateness of the Red Cross's policies or the decision to exclude them from the college. Multiple competing views remain regarding the implications of these policies and their impact on LGBTQ+ individuals.
Contextual Notes
Limitations include the lack of clarity on the specific policies of the Red Cross versus FDA regulations, as well as the varying interpretations of what constitutes discrimination in this context. The discussion reflects a range of opinions on the intersection of health safety and social equality.
- #2
Andy
- 76
- 14
Why do Gays feel uncomfortable around the red cross?
- #3
Mulder
- 54
- 1
Oh right, yeah, let's call it something different for gays
I'm all for equality, and have no problems with gay rights but this one is again going too far. Just as I, as a straight guy am happy to live in a society with, and accommodate gays, (goes for other religions and races too), they have to realize that they can't live on a planet designed solely and perfectly for them.
I'm all for equality, and have no problems with gay rights but this one is again going too far. Just as I, as a straight guy am happy to live in a society with, and accommodate gays, (goes for other religions and races too), they have to realize that they can't live on a planet designed solely and perfectly for them.
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- #4
kyle_soule
- 238
- 1
It appears that they are upset that they are being discriminated against, I believe the Red Cross asks for gay's not to participate in the blood drives. The homosexual individuals went to the college board and quested the Red Cross not be allowed to run the blood drive their because they felt uncomfortable, and the board went along with it...pretty crazy I think. I don't understand why they are uncomfortable though.
- #5
enigma
Staff Emeritus
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That is vile! Do you have a source?
- #6
enigma
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*double post*
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- #7
kyle_soule
- 238
- 1
MSNBC reported on it, got the State Rep. of the state on their show and he said it was wrong to do, so it was a legit source. I'm looking for link now.
- #8
Andy
- 76
- 14
So for fear of spreading AIDS the red cross asked Gays not to participate, i think that's understandable I'm sure a lot of people who want blood would not like to have the blood of a gay person being used on them.
- #9
gnome
- 1,031
- 1
Actually that policy is required by an FDA regulation that has been in effect since 1985.
By the way, people who spent more than 6 months in Britain are also banned from donating blood.
Gotta make sure our blood supply isn't tainted by too much tea.
By the way, people who spent more than 6 months in Britain are also banned from donating blood.
Gotta make sure our blood supply isn't tainted by too much tea.
- #10
kyle_soule
- 238
- 1
Scarborough Countries transcript will be coming out soon, it was on Joe's May 22nd show.
Harvard's solution...
http://www.academia.org/campus_reports/2001/nov_2001_4.html
apparently they have no respect for rules or safety or the FDA or Red Cross. Isn't this a high level college?!
Harvard's solution...
http://www.academia.org/campus_reports/2001/nov_2001_4.html
apparently they have no respect for rules or safety or the FDA or Red Cross. Isn't this a high level college?!
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- #11
enigma
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Ugh.
Gay != AIDS carrier
Gay != AIDS carrier
- #12
Mulder
- 54
- 1
[?] [?] [?]
Something against us?
- #13
Kerrie
Staff Emeritus
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- 843
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i think that is absolutely ridiculous and ignorant that gay's have been asked not to participate in giving blood...
#1 - the Red Cross is pleading for blood as they claim they are in short supply
#2 - ANYONE, including heterosexual females are at risk of carrying HIV as anyone now
#3 - if I understand it correctly, the Red Cross already screens all blood despite who it comes from...
#1 - the Red Cross is pleading for blood as they claim they are in short supply
#2 - ANYONE, including heterosexual females are at risk of carrying HIV as anyone now
#3 - if I understand it correctly, the Red Cross already screens all blood despite who it comes from...
- #14
kyle_soule
- 238
- 1
Well, first off it isn't the Red Cross policies, it's the Food and Drug Administrations rules. Secondly, if gay's are actively engaging in homosexual sex they are in fact at a much higher risk of carrying HIV, instead of asking if you have had sex with another man, they just exclude gay's altogether.
The Red Cross doesn't screen the blood, but they is the second screen, they set up the first to rule out any obvious problems and lighten the load of good blood to be screened. It is just being extra careful, I wouldn't want gay blood, it might be contageous
hehe- #15
damgo
They actually ask "if you are male, have you had sex with another man since 197x?" along with a zillion other questions, like if you've ever snorted coke. (?) The Britain thing is because of Mad Cow. :) It's a bit excessive really; if you are reasonably sure you don't have AIDS but would get excluded because of one of these blanket rules, I see no problem with lying... like Kerrie said there is a chronic blood shortage.
- #16
kyle_soule
- 238
- 1
They like to keep 7 days worth in stock, they have 4.5 days now.
Isn't it funny they put a date on? Does AIDS wear off in so many years, or did you just not get it before 197X?
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- #17
enigma
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It didn't exist before 197X
- #18
LURCH
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I'm a regular blood doner myself, and the questionaire has always asked those questions about HIV. It is no more descriminatory than the questions about mad cow disease. I took a mission trip to west Africa, and was unable to donate for 1yr afterward because the trip placed me at a high risk for malaria. I did not protest that I was being descriminated against.
Perhaps I should have picketed the Red Cross in my area for penalising me for my religious practices!
If you are in a high-risk group for carrying a blood-transmitted disease, you will be discriminated against by the Red Cross. And you should be. Political correctness and hurt feelings are not as important as human lives.
Perhaps I should have picketed the Red Cross in my area for penalising me for my religious practices!
If you are in a high-risk group for carrying a blood-transmitted disease, you will be discriminated against by the Red Cross. And you should be. Political correctness and hurt feelings are not as important as human lives.
- #19
Kerrie
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there are plenty of homosexuals that have non HIV positive blood, it's not like once you become gay you automatically get it...quite honestly, this attitude towards gays turns me off from ever giving blood, and that doesn't help the "shortage" one bit...if proper tests are done to screen for any diseases, then there should be no worries whatsoever...
- #20
kyle_soule
- 238
- 1
It's just being extra safe, diseases can get through the screening, so why not have a preliminary screening to root out any uneeded risks? Notice I say RISKS.
Also, Damgo said that they ask if you have had sex with a man, not necessarily "ARE YOU GAY?".
I suppose if you want to give blood, or if you ever gave blood, is your own decision, but I don't see the point in not giving blood because the FDA has told the Red Cross what to put on their screening surveys.