Dear Seeker,

Although Canada has lifted a nearly 30-year-old ban on gay men giving blood, though for the time being only those abstinent for a period of 5 years are allowed to donate.

The best way any community could help out the relief efforts is to volunteer time, money and blood.

As a gay male, it is easy to donate time or money; however, the last one is an issue all on its own.

The Annual Mayor-Media Blood Donor Clinic will take place next Tuesday at the Cornwall Civic Complex. I would love to participate in in the blood donor clinic and possibly help save someone’s life but The Canadian Blood Services will not allow me donate.

Donating blood is one of the easiest and greatest gifts we could give.  However, we are all too familiar that a sexually active gay male has been denied the right to donate blood based on stereotypes, discrimination, and fear.  

We all now have a chance to work together to fight against these stereotypes, discrimination, and fears.  It is time to look at the current state of HIV research and allow reason to lead The Canadian Blood Services into allowing gay men the right to donate blood. Because donating blood is not just a gay rights issue, but also a human rights issue.

Sincerely,

Guy St-Jean