So what do we do?

San Jose University banned blood drives at the school instituted by the American Red Cross in protest for their position (based on the FDA’s policies) and this follows cancellations that were instated at Southern Oregon University and other schools over the last few years.  While I applaud the efforts of these schools to raise awareness and stand against discrimination, I can’t help thinking about the people who are really paying the price – those who are in need of blood and will die as a result of insufficient resources.

We need to continue to campaign for change in blood donation regulations, but that’s a time-consuming process and every day that’s lost brings us closer to depleting the blood we have in storage.

Enter Ryan Tauriainen, a student at Middlebury College in Oregon. His solution is a “sponsor blood drive” where a student donating blood would be asked to sign a statement saying they are donating for a gay student who cannot.  This is combined with his efforts to open dialogue with those who are authority at the Red Cross as well as continuing activism to raise awareness about these discriminatory policies.

We still have a long way to go before the stigma is removed from homosexuality in America – but continuing to follow policies that serve to reinforce mistaken stereotypes and outdated fears will only impede this process.  We need to raise awareness and open dialogue to change the laws and statutes that hold the GLBT community in an unfair and oppressive grip.

Take time today to sign a petition to change the FDA’s Blood Donation Policy and help spread the word.  In light of the recent ruling in California to allow for same-sex marriage, I’m optimistic that the tide is turning and legislation will eventually promote equality.