Out-Raged: Out-Spoken, Out-To-Change

Tell the FDA to Stop Discriminating

I write to express outrage at FDA's current blood donation policy, which clearly discriminates against gay Americans and ask that you take immediate action to have this stopped.

This government policy, to reject donations from any man who acknowledges sexual relations with another man since 1977, is outdated and discriminatory. While the basis for this rule, when first implemented, was grounded in legitimate fear about increasing HIV/AIDS infection, continuation of this policy in 2008 can only be attributed to fear or bias against the gay community, which is homophobia.

I care about health and safety standards, and wish to ensure that our blood supply remains safe; however, this outmoded policy does not make our blood supply safer since the group you have targeted does not pose any greater risk for HIV/AIDS infection than other groups or individuals. Furthermore, all donated blood is screened for infection before it is used in transfusions. Therefore, excluding any group of donors only further restricts an already limited supply.

Gay Americans demand to be respected and endowed with the same rights as any other citizen. We rely on the nation's blood supply, and many of us wish to contribute to it. As my elected official, I call on you to act now to have this policy ended.