In 1985 the matching wrist/headband combo was quietly banned in clubs around the United States. That same year, the government banned gay people from donating blood because of fears surrounding HIV infection. I'm all for keeping blood supplies safe and bountiful- that's why I support lifting this ban.
Why?
Because it's dated.
Screening and collecting procedures have improved vastly since 1985. Plus, it is my understanding that one has to fill out a questionnaire to donate blood. Sexual activity should be assessed not on a sexual orientation level, but on a risk assessment level. Most people lie about their sexual history, anyway: so why would someone who wants to donate blood act differently?
And unless it's Heidi Montag and her Swine Flu Patient Zero, Spencer Pratt, punishing someone based solely on who they are attracted to sexually is wrong.
I won't be able to donate blood in my lifetime, but as someone with hemophilia I will rely on blood products for the rest of my life. If I am cured of HIV and hemophilia some day- cool- I'll donate blood. Not being able to do so today, however, makes perfect sense.
If you agree with me about this ban, I say we show our objection in a way that cannot be ignored: with matching head and wristbands.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Supporters of CA State Assembly member Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) resolution -AJR 13- to lift the ban include the American Red Cross, America's Blood Centers and the American Association for Blood Banks.
Share the Blog. Not the Virus. 
Why?
Because it's dated. Screening and collecting procedures have improved vastly since 1985. Plus, it is my understanding that one has to fill out a questionnaire to donate blood. Sexual activity should be assessed not on a sexual orientation level, but on a risk assessment level. Most people lie about their sexual history, anyway: so why would someone who wants to donate blood act differently?
And unless it's Heidi Montag and her Swine Flu Patient Zero, Spencer Pratt, punishing someone based solely on who they are attracted to sexually is wrong.
I won't be able to donate blood in my lifetime, but as someone with hemophilia I will rely on blood products for the rest of my life. If I am cured of HIV and hemophilia some day- cool- I'll donate blood. Not being able to do so today, however, makes perfect sense.
If you agree with me about this ban, I say we show our objection in a way that cannot be ignored: with matching head and wristbands.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Supporters of CA State Assembly member Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) resolution -AJR 13- to lift the ban include the American Red Cross, America's Blood Centers and the American Association for Blood Banks.
Share the Blog. Not the Virus. 
I agree with you Shawn and have for many years now. Sexually speaking, the ONLY true risk group is that group of people who have unprotected intercourse with persons of unknown or positive hiv status. Instead of asking about MSM activities, they should say something along the lines of, "have you ever had unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse with a person who you are not in a monogamous relationship with and/or who you have not tested negative for hiv together with."
For people who can answer, "not within the last three months or more", a rapid test could be offered to settle the matter there and then. This would have the added bonus of encouraging people to test, as well as including people for blood donation who might have otherwise been excluded when taking the true risk group into account.
But dude, I'm NOT going to wear matching head/wrist bands!
Ann