Every year on June 14th countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) an event established in 2004 to raise awareness of the need for safe blood & blood products & to thank blood donors for their voluntary, life-saving gifts of blood. Kelsey Louie, Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) CEO stated, “On World Blood Donor Day, as we honor individuals across the world who voluntarily donate their blood to save lives, we must unite to call for an end to the Food & Drug Administration’s ongoing, discriminatory policy for gay & bisexual male blood donors. Modern science enables us to evaluate all blood donors equally regardless of their identity, yet men who have sex with men (MSM) are still subject to different standards that perpetuate the stereotype that all gay & bisexual men are inherently dangerous. Our government must stop reacting to HIV as it did during the dark days of the AIDS crisis. With this discriminatory policy against MSM, the FDA is not just refusing blood that will save lives, but also enforcing stigmas that fuel the HIV epidemic, shaming people into the shadows & discouraging them from coming forward to seek treatment. Amidst a stream of discriminatory policies from the federal government against the LGBT community, it is important that we remain strong & united to defend our rights, our dignity & our health.” Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) is the world's first HIV/AIDS service organization. GMHC is on the front lines providing services to over 12,000 people living with & affected by HIV/AIDS. Programs include: testing, prevention, nutrition, legal, supportive housing, mental health & substance use services. GMHC also advocates for stronger public policies at the local, state & federal level with the goal of ending AIDS as an epidemic.
For More Info: gmhc.org
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