I'm often embarrassed to admit I was born in the USA and carry a US passport.  Our current President elevated things to new, previously unthinkable levels. Here is something else quite bizarre and backward on the list of official (FDA) American policies:

http://news.aol.com/topnews/articles/_a/gay-men-still-banned-from-donating-blood/20070523232709990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001  (fair warning:  AOL frequently re-assigns URLs to its news articles, so I can't say how long this particular URL will be valid)

Here are some excerpts:

"Gay men remain banned for life from donating blood, the government said Wednesday, leaving in place - for now - a 1983 prohibition meant to prevent the spread of HIV through transfusions."

"Before giving blood, all men are asked if they have had sex, even once, with another man since 1977. Those who say they have are permanently banned from donating."

"Critics of the exclusionary policy said it bars potential healthy donors, despite the increasing need for donated blood, and discriminates against gays. The FDA recognized the policy defers many healthy donors but rejected the suggestion it's discriminatory. "

"Anyone who's used intravenous drugs or been paid for sex also is permanently barred from donating blood."

homintern is on your IGNORE list.

homintern wrote:

" ... This ban is common in the English-speaking world ... "

True.  Canada has a blood donation prohibition on homosexual males:

Quote:

3. HIV High Risk Activities:

There are a number of high-risk activities for acquiring HIV/AIDS that can indefinitely defer people from giving blood. People who have taken money or drugs for sex, since 1977 cannot give blood.

All men who have had sex with another man, even once, since 1977 are indefinitely deferred. This is based on current scientific knowledge and statistical information that shows that men who have had sex with other men are at greater risk for HIV/AIDS infection than other people.

Intravenous use of illegal street drugs/narcotics also constitutes a HIV high risk activity and results in indefinite deferral.

( http://www.bloodservices.ca/centreapps/internet/uw_v502_mainengine.nsf/page/Indefinite%20Deferral?OpenDocument )

Cheers . ...

the same in Switzerland!

And if you go to the UK blood transfusion website, you can answer a questionnaire about whether you'd be suitable as a donor.  

There is one question asking whether you have ever (no dates specified) had anal/oral sex with a same-sex partner.  If you answer yes, you are politely declined as a blood donor.

Even over here in the Netherlands  gays are not allowed to give blood,    not that I would do anyway  

In Australia, the questionnaire to fill out asks this:

Within the past twelve months have you:

Had male to male sex?
Had sexual activity with a male who you think might be bisexual?
Been a male or female sex worker (e.g. received payment for sex in money, gifts or drugs?)
Engaged in sex with a male or female sex worker?

If the answer is 'yes' to any of the above questions, then a 12 month deferral is applied.

Men who have sex with men are barred from donating blood in most civilized countries. Rightsly so. The health of recepients come before the sentiments of some soft feeling homosexuals. This is not about discrimination, as giving blood is not a human right.

They are having an epidemic here with children after transfusions, the cases here are only about 800 per 100,000 people so its not all that bad here yet, its mostly in intravenous drug users and babies  that have had blood transfusions.

Wesley

bkk gwm wrote:

...."Gay men remain banned for life from donating blood, the government said Wednesday, leaving in place - for now - a 1983 prohibition ....."

Since this has been on the books for a quarter of a century its hardly news.
I guess some of our younger posters might not be aware.

Its hard to imagine AIDS had been with us for almost 30 years now, and a whole generation has grown up knowing nothing but this state of affairs.