New 6.1 Quake Hits Haiti

[Soon]

Originally Posted by Sachita

I didn't know that. why is that? why can't a trans give blood?

I've never heard this before, either.

I'm also curious about Linus' statement.

[Hudson]

Originally Posted by Linus

Wow. This gets harder and harder: Haiti's Women's Movement loses 3 leaders due to Quake

And unfortunately, I can't give blood (apparently being trans bars you for life) but I will donate funds to ensure my company can make a larger donation (they setup a fund where they match employees donations.

Originally Posted by Sachita

I didn't know that. why is that? why can't a trans give blood?

Originally Posted by HowSoonIsNow

I've never heard this before, either.

I'm also curious about Linus' statement.

Since the AIDS crisis of the 1980's, the FDA has banned all men who've had sex with another male since 1977 from donating blood. This 1985 provision argued that men who have sex with other men are at higher risk of contracting and transmitting HIV (through anal intercourse) and hepatitis, posing a health risk to potential recipients. This honestly isn't fair, labeling gay/bi/transexual men/women more susceptible to contracting and transmitting HIV/AIDS.

In other words, a pre or post-op MTF who goes down to the Red Cross has to answer a questionnaire honestly stating whether or not has had sexual contact with a man. Given that she's "biologically/genetically/DNA-wise, male to the Red Cross", it's considered "gay sex", particularly anal penetration. Doesn't matter if it was a million years ago, protected, with non-infected partner, if you've had regular negative tests and they even retest the blood, they still won't accept it.

The same would apply to FTMs who have had or do have sex with men, particularly anal, pass as male and have had all documents/gender marker changed. Those FTMs who have never had sex with men would not be affected, I would think. It really discriminates against gay men and trans women, not lesbians and trans men.

This is the way I understand the policy. Anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

[Soon]

Originally Posted by Hudson

Since the AIDS crisis of the 1980's, the FDA has banned all men who've had sex with another male since 1977 from donating blood. This 1985 provision argued that men who have sex with other men are at higher risk of contracting and transmitting HIV (through anal intercourse) and hepatitis, posing a health risk to potential recipients. This honestly isn't fair, labeling gay/bi/transexual men/women more susceptible to contracting and transmitting HIV/AIDS. In other words, a pre or post-op MTF who goes down to the Red Cross has to answer a questionnaire honestly stating whether or not has had sexual contact with a man. Given that she's "biologically/genetically/DNA-wise, male to the Red Cross", it's considered "gay sex", particularly anal penetration. Doesn't matter if it was a million years ago, protected, with non-infected partner, if you've had regular negative tests and they even retest the blood, they still won't accept it.

The same would apply to FTMs who have had or do have sex with men, particularly anal, pass as male and have had all documents/gender marker changed. Those FTMs who have never had sex with men would not be affected, I would think.

This is the way I understand the policy. Anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

Yes, there is also a policy (wrong, imo) in Canada that bans gay men from giving blood.


But, the way Linus wrote his statement reads to me that being trans is SOLE the reason for being banned from giving blood.

I get what you are saying, though. If one presents as a man, gives ID with gender marker changed to male, and answer the questions about having sex with a man since a certain year, then, yes, no blood could be given.