FDA Discriminates Against Homosexual Donors
Freedom isn’t inherited, it is given to individuals who fit into societies box of standards.
Freedom isn't inherited. Countries like the United States of America makes people feel that everyone regardless of whom you are has freedom afforded to them under the Bill of Rights and United States Constitution. However, this isn't the case for everyone, considering that our government and its agencies openly discriminates against specific groups on the basis of sexuality. For instance, The Center for Biologics and Research (CBER) a component of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), tasked with the responsibility of regulating blood collection and HIV screening tests, openly discriminates against men who have sex with men (MSM). Its policy explains that MSM aren't allowed to donate blood, because they are at a risk of being the most infected group with the HIV/AIDS virus. According to its website, “A history of male-to-male sex is associated with an increase risk for exposure to and transmission of certain diseases, including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.”
Our nation blood supply runs short, because we simply depend on the usual blood donors, however these individuals aren't always available to donate a pint of blood to the Red Cross. For instance, in February 2014 New York Times ran an article stating that our nation was running short of blood to an equivalency of the Red Cross closing its doors for two days. This shows that more people are needed to donate blood in order to continue the blood supply within the United States, but these agencies refuse to let MSM donate blood on the basis of age-old science that has proven false years ago. Studies show that while MSM are the largest carrier of the HIV/AIDS virus, everyone doesn't carry the virus and there are ways to protect oneself from individuals whom are carriers.
To discriminate against an entire group of people is absurd and shows that our nation hasn't progressed pass the time in which gay men and women were treated as second citizens in a nation that guarantees everyone first class citizenship. Discrimination on something as simple as blood donation, which could potentially save someone’s life is preposterous and shows that while we are progressing in giving homosexuals rights we are continuing to deny them of the other rights. It’s a shame that a nation that was supposed to be built on equality doesn't treat everyone fairly and to earn these rights one must fight for decades before society notices something is wrong. After all, it took from the U.S. Constitution ratification in 1788 to June 26, 2013 in the case U.S. vs Windsor for the federal government to recognize same-sex marriage or marriage equality as something everyone should be entitled too, however a battle progresses in each State for couples to be recognized as the same status of heterosexual couples.
The whole experience of giving blood for MSM is grueling. When an individual goes into the Red Cross to donate blood there is a screening exam that is taken before blood is drawn. One wonders why the screening is required and of course is told that it’s a standard procedure that everyone goes through. Progressing through the screening exam you’ll notice that there are health questions that are normally asked during a screening exam, however when arriving at the end of the exam there is a portion asking about if you’re an MSM and if so how long ago. After answering these questions you’ll notice a statement that reads something similar to your status is deferred for life, which simply means due to being a homosexual or MSM they cannot accept your blood, because it may be infected with HIV/AIDS. When asked to explain what permanent deferral means the individual is handed a piece of paper with a number they can call to receive more information about their status. This simply leaves the individual helpless with the feeling of hopelessness. It makes the individual feel as if a part of them has been ripped from their soul, because each corner they turn there is another obstacle being thrown at them because they are a homosexual. It shows that society considers you an abomination from the rest of its people and refuses to deal with you on the basis that you chose to sleep with the same-sex.
The FDA can be applauded for the job well done on wanting to protect the American people from sicknesses, diseases and maintain a fairly healthy people. However, the need to discriminate against homosexuals should be a thing of the past, especially since we have technology that can be used to scan blood provided by MSM and determine which blood is usable and which is not. Many people agree that the FDA’s law prohibiting same-sex individuals or MSM from donating blood should be stricken from the law as it holds no value to society, which is why the “The Banned4Life Project” was created to show that blood received from homosexuals or MSM can save lives. It’s time to encourage society to take a second look at itself and realize that everyone is alike and that by harming and denying one group of people specific rights afforded at birth is like denying our entire nation. We as a people make up our nation and we stand together against indifference and inequality to form a better world so that everyone is treated with dignity and respect. It’s time to pull the reigns of society and test the theory of what equality means in a nation of freedom.
