Federal Policy Prohibits Gay Men From Donating Blood – Do You Think This Law Should Be Reversed? [POLL]

Last night I was watching Harry's Law and was shocked by what the episode revealed.  Gay men are prohibited, by Federal law, to donate blood.

I don't watch a lot of television, but I do enjoy watching Harry's Law.  There are always really good cases argued and last night was no disappointment.  Two brothers were in a car accident and while one had bumps and bruises, the other was in critical condition with internal bleeding.  He needed a blood transfusion.

His brother stepped up and volunteered.  However, the hospital turned him away because he was gay.  A man was dying and the blood donor was turned away because of his sexual orientation.

I thought this was absolute ridiculous!  I immediately got on my laptop to look it up and it is a very real policy.  Back in the 1980's the U.S. Food and Drug Administration passed a federal policy that prohibits men who have had sex with other men at any time since 1977 from ever donating blood.  The FDA says that as a group, gay men are at higher risk of HIV and other infections that can be transmitted through transfusions.

I find this to be pure discrimination!  In my opinion, heterosexuals are just as, if not more, promiscuous than gay men.  Lives are lost due to the need of blood, yet we are turning away thousands of pints because of sexual orientation?  It doesn't make sense does it?

In 2010 the policy was challenged, but upheld by a 9-6 vote.  The FDA still considers this a 'safety measure.'  According to the Williams Institute for Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, about 219,000 more pints of blood could be available each year if the stupid ban was lifted.

I had no idea that something like this was even in place, but I guess I shouldn't be too surprised.  Gay people suffer so much.  They are bullied and beat, they cannot marry the person they love, they have a hard time with adoption procedures, and now they can't even save a loved one who needs blood.

I find it funny that gay people are expected to follow all the 'straight' people's rules.  They can fight and die for our country, but they can't give blood.

Here is my question of the day:

Should this stupid law be reversed?  Answer the poll below.