You can sign up to be matched as a bone marrow donor for free from June 8th through 22nd at www.marrow.org. That is unless you are a man who’s had sex with another man in the past 5 years. The policy is disgusting, discriminatory, bigoted, and just plain wrong!
We’ve got a few options here. 1) Boycott donations until the policy is changed, 2) do nothing/apathy, or 3) lie about our sexuality and donate anyway. Not very good options are they? Well I’ve got a fourth option, and I’ll get into that in a second.
Boycotts are generally unproductive, especially in this case. They do little to highlight the problem. Bone marrow saves lives, and they need as many donors as they can get. Being apathetic is a waste. Doing nothing doesn’t save lives, nor does it put focus on the horrible injustice of discrimination. Lying isn’t advised either. Lying = The Closet, and that is a very scary place.
A funny thing about lying: The questionnaire about your health/sex life is based on the honor system. Which means, the people most likely to lie are in the closet. Adult gay men in the closet engage in un-safe sex at a higher rate than men who live outside of the closet and are well informed. Just asking the question implies there is something inherently dangerous about being gay. There isn’t. There IS something inherently dangerous about being ignorant.
Anything that pushes men & women into the closest is cruel and hurtful.
The fourth option, I mentioned, is letting your voice be heard and encouraging anyone who can to donate whatever they can. Bone Marrow, Blood, even Cord Blood. Let people know that this is still a huge problem. At first I was angry, but I’m trying to use my anger for something better than spite. I’m letting as many people know about this by Tweeting, blogging, and just talking to others. This idea of protest and encouragement is not new, but I want to do what I can to move our society closer to equality for all of us. The patient has the right to live, should we not do everything we can to help?
The American Red Cross & Marrow.Org are losing out on hundreds if not thousands of human beings willing to donate a part of themselves to help another human life survive.
Tell your friends about the “marrowthon” at Marrow.Org … It’s FREE … as in it doesn’t cost you anything to be tested and added to the registry. Tell your friends! Tell your friends to come out of the closet. Tell them you will love them just as deeply and that they are just as meaningful a contribution to society and the human species as everyone else.
@ShouldntSay . . . I hope SOMEDAY [being gay] will be a fact like any other, like–”She’s married”, or “He has two sisters”
When I attempted to register I was caught completely off guard. I had sadly forgotten about the FDA Guideline/Law that targets gay men unfairly. Marrow.org advised me that they were rejecting my request as I was a health risk.
“Men who in the past 5 years have had sex, even once with another male may be at increased risk for exposure to infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis”
I have been in a monogamous, committed, relationship with another man (*waves at Joe*) for 6 years. I am in general good health. I am ready and willing to donate. I am denied.
Let them know how you feel:
Tweet about the donation program and let @BeTheMatch know what you think about the discrimitory policy.
Visit Be The Match’s Blog for up to date information.
DONATE BECAUSE I CAN’T
image from euthman | used under creative commons license
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Mike~
You have very beautifully and succinctly made your point. Thank you so very much for continuing to advocate for Matches. Despite the hate, it is ill directed and ignorant. Stupid governmental policy. Awareness & advocacy are the key. Thank you for taking the first step. I hope everyone who reads this pays attention and takes some kind of action. No matter how small. ‘Cause it will domino.
WOW – how unfair and biased – I had no idea. You wanted to do just a beautiful act and how horrible to be turned down. I will pass on the info and look into what I can do. Thanks for the information!