Man says blood center rejected him because he appeared gay

[The Philosopher]

from Chicago Sun-Times

Aaron Pace is admittedly and noticeably effeminate, but he says he’s not homosexual.

Still, his looks, character and behavior prompted a blood donation center to reject him when he tried to donate blood recently and he’s miffed, to say the least.

“I was humiliated and embarrassed,” said Pace, 22. of Gary. “It’s not right that homeless people can give blood but homosexuals can’t. And I’m not even a homosexual.”

Pace visited Bio-Blood Components Inc. in Gary, which pays for blood and plasma donations, up to $40 a visit. But during the interview screening process, Pace said he was told he could not be a blood donor there because he “appears to be a homosexual.”

No one at Bio-Blood returned calls seeking comment, but donation centers like it, and even the American Red Cross, are still citing a nearly 30-year-old federal policy to turn away gay men from donating.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/6495246-417/man-says-blood-center-rejected-him-because-he-appeared-gay.html">Click Here To Read More

[TheWraith]

1. Since this is apparently a private organization, it would probably be subject to discrimination suit

[The Philosopher]

8. Well, as the article says

"The Food and Drug Administration policy, implemented in 1983, states that men who have had sex — even once — with another man (since 1977) are not allowed to donate blood." and "But the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services last year voted again not to recommend a change to the FDA’s policy of a lifetime deferral for men who have sex with other men."

If they're sued, would the DOJ step in to defend them to keep the courts from doing what the FDA and Department of Health & Human Services should do?

[TheWraith]

9. But the policy isn't at issue here.

It's that they're refusing him because of a perception, not factual information.

[The Philosopher]

14. While Illinois

has an anti-discrimination policy, they have to follow the policy of the Federal Government. This is the Federal Government allowing the discrimination, not Illinois. Federally, you can discriminate against us all you want, and even with approval and help of the Government.

[CurtEastPoint]

2. '...humiliated and embarrassed...' because they thought he was gay.

How sad he feels this way.

[yardwork]

4. He was humiliated and embarrassed to be turned away from donating blood based on his appearance.

If you read the OP, you will see that he points out that it is wrong for gay people to be denied the right to donate blood. He's no bigot. He's a witness to the poor treatment that many gay people endure everyday.

[Divine Discontent]

10. exactly. I thought the same thing. He clearly words his comment to say it's wrong Gay people can't

donate blood. It's the embarrassment that they think what he behaves like is something bad - and I don't blame him for feeling that way because he is noticeably feminine it sounds, and he has every right to tell people about how horrible they are for doing this to him.

[LuvNewcastle]

3. Maybe they should have white heterosexual blood

separate from everybody else. You can only have it if your HMO agrees to pay for it.

[Drale]

5. Um how does he know thats why the rejected him?

They will reject you if you seems like you might have a cold or any other sickness. Or they may have him on record with something, they won't take my dad's blood anymore because he supposedly has to much iron in his blood.

[The Philosopher]

7. They told him

It's in the section I quoted.

[queerart]

6. Hummmm...... Derek Isn't Gay Either.........

How Very Dare You!




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KZHW-WmoQ0&feature=fvst

[Divine Discontent]

11. oh my WORD! and I went and watched this one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw0ezWS_PF0&NR=1&feature=fvwp

How Very Dare you! LOL

[queerart]

12. Hilarious....

... and Derkek always has his friend, Leonard Mincing in tow..... it's all too funny...... :rofl:

[dsc]

13. was this originally in general discussion?

[The Philosopher]

15. Beats me

I didn't see it, but I didn't search it out.

[dsc]

16. ok guess it wasn't as I meant your thread

I was just wondering if it had been moved.

[The Philosopher]

17. Oh, no

I posted it here. I would've been a bit pissy if it had been moved.