SANBS RE-ASSERTS BAN – THREATENS ACTION
In the midst of the controversy around the GLA’s statements, the SA National Blood Services has confirmed that its policy on banning sexually active gay men from donating blood remains unchanged.
The organisation has also threatened to take legal action against gay men who allegedly donated blood in protest, at the behest of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance (GLA). The GLA claimed that up to 300 of its members, including one with full blown AIDS, donated blood. This has been widely reported in hysterical tones by much of the media, and has even made news on international websites including BBC News.
Most knowledgeable commentators however believe that this incident is most likely a hoax or at the very least on a much smaller scale than stated. The GLA’s claims and legitimacy have been met with derision and outrage by GLBTI community organisations such as OUT, Triangle Project and Cape Town Pride.
The SANBS’s spokesperson Ianthe Exall told Mambaonline on Monday that although the GLA had given the blood service the names of eight people that allegedly donated blood last week Friday, the SANBS has not been able to find these names amongst its records of people that donated blood on that day. “We are still looking”, she added.
The SANBS itself has also been slammed for basing its policy on international research data which may not be applicable to the South African context.
In a statement by OUT, it said that it “will be pursuing reasoned discussions with the SANBS so as to explore ways to constructively address their current position on the exclusion. We do believe that the exclusion of MSM from giving blood reflects a discriminatory position. The focus should be on unsafe sexual practises regardless of the group in which such practises take place”.
Out added that, “if groups are used as a social indicator for risk of HIV transmission, why aren’t married women not engaged in extra-marital sex excluded, as it has been proven that they have highest risks of HIV infection? The SANBS’s present position stigmatises gay men and presents incorrect public information on HIV transmission”.
Beggars can’t be…. Isn’t the SANBS in dire need of blood donations? Beggars can’t be choosers now can they?
Beggars?. Wow, how insane a statement is that? Are you the one and only male member of GLA? Be careful, besides the SANBS, there are a few angry moffies looking for GLA members!
But for real, The SANBS say they have high tech equipment to test blood, but have never said that it is fool proof. Think of the consequences of an unknowing HIV+ gay person giving blood, and that blood is given to a HIV- person and they, in turn, become HIV+! This shouldn’t be a gay issue, responsible gays should understand the risks they have taken and act accordingly! Don’t donate your blood, simple! We should all be trying to stop the spread of HIV, not find another avenue to spread it!
ummm duh…. I’m sorry, was I being ambiguous? I feel it is ironic and idiotic perhaps that SANBS should spark this row with gay people when they have severe blood shortages. If you desperately want something you can’t be fussy about it.
Besides, saying gay people are the HIV hotspots of all types of people just enforces the stigma around the stereotypical promiscuous gay life everybody else thinks we all lead. It’s discrimination, not specification.
Did I mention something of the GLA? No…
duh?. This wouldn’t have been an issue if the GLA hadn’t had made it one!
All I’m saying is be responsible! If you know you are high risk, no matter what you sexual persuasion is, don’t donate.
Unfortunately, the GLA did high light the whole issue, which in turn has not done our gay image any good. But then we are moffies and can take it lying down, standing up, which ever! We always bounce back.
GLA. So why not get together and trace this silly bastard from GLA and expose him,he is probably not even gay,just homophobic with a chip on his shoulder!
Rabbits. Good Idea – Try David Baxter, or Johan Uys
I think that in this case we (gay men) are being full of shit. Agreed, the SANBTS needs to relook at how they profile gay men in general, but lets face it – most gay men fuck around like bunny rabbits and we are a high risk category. This is not about our fragile egos and our gay rights, its about the safety of the innocent people receiving the blood.
And just because they dont have a policy on say married women who have extra-marital affairs yet, does not mean that the SANBTS must now just exclude the risk of gay blood. It means that they have some work to do.
It may well stigmatise the gay community – tough shit!! We are a risk factor – face it and get on with it people!
Dont boxed people. Not issue is not about who fucks like rabbits. I am 25 and have been out for 6 years. In that time I have had 2 long term relationships and I can count my sexual partners on one hand. I have mostly straight friends and they fuck like rabbits everyone with different girls.
The issue is about sexual behaviour and being says nothing about it. if you fuck like a rabbit that’s your problem
Rabbits!!. Rabbits, Warren – this is all getting confusing – lol.
Just for the record ive been out for 5 years, four of them in a monogamous relationship that is still going strong.
There will always be exceptions – Im just highlighting the general behaviour of gay men, and you will have to agree im not that far off!!
Boxed People. And what about your partners! Can they count how many guys they’ve had sex with?
I fully agree! Lets move on!
SANBS – Bah!. I think in a court ruling the SANBS’ facts, based on their research, would be disputed. But hey, if they want to do without my AB Neg plasma, let them – but DON’T let me find out someone died as a result, because then I’m turning into a vampire 😉