"I have an almost complete disregard of precedent, and a faith in the possibility of something better. It irritates me to be told how things have always been done. I defy the tyranny of precedent. I go for anything new that might improve the past." -

Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross

Do We Not Bleed?
by Mackenzie Worrall


Since 1985, men who have sex with men (MSM) have been banned from giving blood.

Unlike DADT and DOMA, this doesn’t have a cool acronym, and most people don’t even know that there is a ban. In organizing Brothers In Blood (more on that later), I’ve been astounded by both how many people give me a vacant look as I talk at them about the ban, and how many people immediately ask how they can help.

Any male donor who has had sex with another man since 1977 is permanently deferred. More and more often, cities and states and politicians (noticeably Senator Kerry) call on the FDA to re-evaluate the ban and redefine its criteria for accepting blood from MSM. Some plans still include a one-year deferment since last sexual contact with a male, but I believe we can do better than that.

The ban was a swift, knee-jerk reaction to HIV/AIDS and misconceptions of it. However, other high-risk groups are not banned. If the FDA wrote into law a ban on black women giving blood, who are the second highest risk group, there would be a national uproar about the racist, mal-informed policy. So why haven’t we been up in arms about this?

Mackenzie Worrall is a Columbus small business enabler, Brothers in Blood coordinator, and sometime outlook ginger coffee boy. One day, these bios will list awards and honors, but right now he’ll settle for awesomeness. Contact BrothersInBlood.Columbus@gmail.com for more info.