The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) instituted a lifelong ban on blood donations from any man who’d had sexual contact with another man (“MSM” for short). There are no exceptions, even for celibate men who have tested negative for HIV. (Neatorama 2011) This ban was imposed throughout the UK, Canada and the US. The FDA enforced this law on the popular belief that HIV was a gay mans disease; this is known today to be a false assumption. However the FDA continues to impose the ban based on statistical data showing homosexual men are at a greater risk to contract the virus. The FDA calls homosexual relations “risky behavior”. 

Just recently the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs in the UK or SaBOT publicized that there is not enough reason to deny gay/bisexual men from donating blood given the technological advancements. It actually does not reduce the number of HIV transmissions in fact; SaBTO's review concluded that the safety of the blood supply would not be affected by any change made thus, lifting the ban in England, Scotland and Wales. (NSH 2011)

 HERE IN THE US WE HAVE A BLOOD SHORTAGE!!! All blood should be received, it would be very beneficial for the overall good of the Public; the “useful” blood can be redistributed to whoever needs it and the tainted one would urge the donor to seek medical attention thus, decreasing the spread of the virus. 

 I seek to petition the removal of the ban! Join me in the fight to not only save lives but for equal rights for everyone.