I assume you are referencing the article on the FDA easing the ban on homosexual and bisexual men donating blood that I posted. May I also assume that you have decided that a scientifically-based decision that could save lives is grounds to “debate” scientifically inaccurate personal opinions? That has nothing to do with the article itself?
In the great words of Neil DeGrasse Tyson:
I assume that the “horrible life threatening diseases”, you allude to all arise from HIV, given the nature of the article. I’d like to note at this time that the article is not exclusive to homosexual men.
Therefore, I surmise that you are fishing for an angry response and trolling.
Well, you have earned yourself a science lesson.
First know that HIV is life threatening only when it is not treated. With appropriate treatment, HIV is something people can live with for decades thanks to modern medicine, with an excellent quality of life and few side-effects. So long as medication is taken, HIV positive individuals have undetectable virus levels (making clinically free of disease and virtually unable to transmit the disease) so they do not pass it on to their partners. I met a guy in his 70s with HIV. He takes his meds, recently retired from a very industrious professional life. He has a partner and kids who have never had to fear getting the virus from him. The worst thing he’s ever gotten in his life was diabetes, because he likes sweets.
I met another kid, a teenager, who got it from his girlfriend. He refused to take meds because “only fags get HIV” and he came in septic with disseminated fungal disease in his spinal fluid, his abdomen, everywhere inside him. If he had taken medication, he would never have had his 4 week hospital stay, stuck full of IVs, miserable and angry.
Second, HIV and STIs are not exclusive or across-the-map increased in frequency in MSM (men who have sex with men). Interestingly, it’s on the rise amongst those who engage in heterosexual sex because they are not as aware of the risks and consequences of unprotected sex. This is true in America and internationally.
Perhaps most critically (and ergo in bold), I would like to point out is that homophobia, expressed anonymously on the internet or in person, directly influences the health and wellbeing of others.
The CDC states that “homophobia, stigma, and discrimination are social determinants of health that can affect physical and mental health.” That’s right. Homophobia impacts the ability for individuals whom you do not know to access appropriate healthcare, get the medications they need, and stay healthy. It is because of homophobia that many people still refuse treatment or, worse, are refused treatment for HIV. It is because of homophobia that well intentioned individuals cannot give blood donations that we desperately need. (link for more reading can be found here)
Let me end with a story: I’m taking care of a patient right now who needs a pack of blood every two days or she’ll bleed to death before we can get her on chemotherapy. She’s a nice, 60 something year old Catholic lady who tells me she prays for me when I see her in the mornings, even though I’m not religious. Every time she gets a blood transfusion, she prays for the person who gave her that blood. She always say that it doesn’t matter who this person is or what they do, they did a good deed that is saving her life. I agree with her.
Thanks to good science, excellent medical and pharmaceutical advances, wonderful public health work, and the hard work of activists and practically minded individuals, homosexual and bisexual men now have an opportunity to do a great thing. A great thing that is guaranteed to save lives. Maybe the life of my 60 year old patient. Maybe mine. Maybe yours.
Anonymous