Anonymous asked: I am a big proponent of the Red Cross as a regular donator and as a recipient once I recognize the value of the Red Cross. However that being said it is worth noting that the Red Cross will not accept blood from a man who discloses his sexuality as not heterosexual. The organization is trying to be proactive and protect donation recipients from the AIDS virus.
I’m aware of this. But you also need to realize that it’s not actually the Red Cross instituting that rule. The FDA is.
The FDA regulates blood donations and rules and so when people complain about the Red Cross’s discrimination, it’s really the FDA who enforces such rules.
There are many reasons people aren’t allowed to give blood. For example, I’m not allowed to give blood because I was born outside of the US in the 80’s. But that’s not the Red Cross’s weird (and discriminatory) rules, that’s the FDA’s. It’s important to know about discriminatory practices but it’s even more important to know who is enforcing such rules.
Love,
Rabble
