Monday, September 29, 2008
Never in my life have I been so proud of being rejected.
Last Friday, I attempted to give blood at the KU Blood Drive. I knew the rejection was coming because I’d been rejected about two years ago. The Red Cross has blacklisted me because I’m “a male who has had sexual contact with another male, even once, since 1977.”
The FDA regulates the Red Cross’ policy, which has been in place since 1992, and I understand the need for that policy. After all, sexually active homosexual men made up 68 percent of all men living with HIV in 2005, and only about 5 percent to 7 percent of men in the U.S. reported having sex with other men, according to the Centers for Disease Control. What I don’t understand, though, is why recent data is not taken into consideration for donation guidelines.
CDC released a report this past August that said 56,300 HIV infections occurred in 2006, a substantially higher number than the 40,000 estimate. Among the infections, 53 percent were caused by male-to-male sexual contact, and 31 percent by high-risk heterosexual contact.
The Red Cross needs a new donation guideline, maybe something like, “Are you a male or female who has had a questionably high amount of sexual contact with the opposite sex since 1977?” I’m not sure what that amount would be — double or triple digits maybe?
This has been done in some places already. The Red Cross of Thailand donor screening process was even reworded in April to ask about risky sexual behavior rather than sexual orientation.
HIV still can’t be detected 100 percent of the time. One of every 2 million HIV positive tests get through, and with 20 million blood transfusions occurring every year, the FDA said it couldn’t take the risk.
I was tested for HIV last week. I get tested every six months or so. Because I’m gay, I know I need to be more cautious of the risk of HIV than if I were straight.
I tested negative. I knew I would — I’d had only once sexual partner in the past six months (it takes two to 24 weeks for HIV antibodies to show up), but I was being cautious, just as the FDA is.
I don’t know what to do to prove that I have good, viable, life-saving blood. After I apologized to the nurse for wasting her time during my screening, she looked more disappointed than I was. She said I could call the number on my second rejection letter and explain that no risky sexual contact actually occurred and that I was confused by the guideline. I told her no thanks.
I’m not in denial, but it’s obvious that the FDA is.
While exiting the donation van, another nurse saw my rejection letter and offered me a Red Cross T-shirt and snacks.
I wore the shirt that night, and many of my gay friend commented that I couldn’t donate blood. I wasn’t offended by my friends’ remarks. My friends care and know, unlike the FDA, that I am safe, which results in one pint of blood that won’t ever help save a life.
Hirschfeld is an Augusta senior in journalism.
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Comments
Hirschfeld: Why won't the Red Cross take my blood?
Listen, if the Red Cross doesn't have to take blood from African Americans, the Disabled, Veterans, Communists, Ron Paul, Spider Jerusalem, or Liberals, they shouldn't have to take it from Homosexuals either.
Hirschfeld: Why won't the Red Cross take my blood?
Matt, I think the problem is summed up when you say you don't known what the replacement standard would be. Your suggestion of "unreasonably high" is problematic because people will understand that differently, and no one is going to think his number of sexual partners is unreasonably high (because if he did, he would have stopped before reaching that number). The current standard doesn't have room for interpretation; you either qualify or don't. Any number higher than zero is a problem because one guy could have ten partners and be very safe, while one guy could have one partner and be very unsafe. I know the same could be said of heterosexuals, but you acknowledge in your article the percentages of each population dealing with AIDS is dramatically different. Since the Red Cross can't actually watch your sexual activity (I guess they could, but it might make one or more parties uncomfortable), they're just playing the percentages. Just be glad you don't get rejected over the "have you traded sex for money or drugs, even once, since 1977" question. I always thought that would be pretty embarrassing to own up to in front of a Red Cross worker.
Hirschfeld: Why won't the Red Cross take my blood?
mr2b: On the contrary. Matt is demonstrating complete concern for other people. He responsibly gets himself tested for HIV and prior to even trying to selflessly donate lifesaving blood. The one pint of blood that he attempted to donate could have saved 3 lives. I would be willing to venture that he is more responsible and caring of others in terms of his sex life than most heterosexual people.
Additionally, how does wanting to donate lifesaving blood constitute wanting to shove his lifestyle down other people's throats? In no way is Matt trying to shove any idea or belief down anyone's throat. He merely recollects a personal situation that occurred. He also points out that even though statistics suggest that male-to-male sexual contact to be the highest percentage contributing to HIV, risky heterosexual sexual practices also play an important role in the percentages of HIV.
Are your heterosexual sexual practices safe? Do you regularly get tested for SDTs and HIV? Food for thought.
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