Give blood. It saves lives. Unless you're gay.. Then we don't want yours...

*Ahem* (stands on soap box, oh yes, it's that time again. Time to get my Milk on..)

A friend posted about giving blood tonight, and how she was a good person. I believe those that can give blood should give. It saves lives. I'm proud that she is being a responsible person and giving of herself so that other people may live, truly I am...

But! Every time I see this, or get a text message reminding me I've not given in an age or a friendly phone call, especially at winter time, I'm reminded that I'm tainted. Dirty. My blood, rich in iron, proteins lipids (of course) and assorted goodies is unwanted.. Did I live in the UK during 'the beef years'? No. My tattoo was ages ago.. No good friends, I'm a fag, and we fags are all dirty, disease ridden pariahs... 

People respond with shock when I tell them "hey good for you, but I can't". They are genuinely shocked when they learn that I can't give like they can... But the ARCBS don't advertise this little discrimination based on statistics from the 90s.. However, there are ways we dirty gays can give:

What's that? I can give blood if I abstain for 12 months? Awesome.. Wait, no.. Fuck off! Sex is fun!

Surely on your questionnaire you ask heterosexual people that donate if they practise safe sex? Wait, you don't? Hmmm..

You don't care if they're not monogamous? Interesting..

So what they're saying is it doesn't matter what I practice, or how safe I am, the fact that I don't go for the vag immediately makes me 'too risky'? Forgive me, I thought they screened all donated blood for HIV, Hep B/C, Syphillis etc, whoops we found HIV in a straight person's blood? Oh shit! Better ban them too!

I'm digressing into angry writing now so I think it's best I stop. I just HATE that I can't do this service to humanity because of who I am, not even for what I do or do not do... In general, we gays are a very socially aware folk, could you imagine the red gold pumping through our veins that would be needed, especially in winter? Yikes. And most homo's I know are like MAD fit, healthy as fuck.. ARCBS for shame.

Attached is an article from 2005. I present:http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/discriminatory-gay-blood-donor-ban-challenged/2005/08/02/1122748633535.html An old article, but 8 years later, this issue is still the same. Eight. Years. With no further discussion or amendment.. Marriage equality is all well and good, but it's hidden discriminations like these that piss me off.

Oh, and ladies? Don't have sex with bisexual guys or you're out too..

In conclusion. I'm pissed off that I can't save lives as they mention oh so sweetly in ARCBS advertising campaigns. I do hope that change comes soon, to help that along, I ask you look at this:http://www.change.org/en-AU/petitions/australian-red-cross-blood-service-overturn-the-ban-on-blood-donation-from-gay-men