Gays demand right to give blood | Bangkok Post: news

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Activists demand rethink on blood donor HIV risks

Red Cross says ban on gays not discriminatory

Published: 9 Mar 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: Business

Aids and gender activists have responded to a video suggesting the Red Cross refuses to take blood donations from gays by urging it to screen donors for "risk activities" rather than "risk groups".

The controversy came after a video clip of three young people criticising the Red Cross Society for refusing to accept blood donations from gays was posted on YouTube.

Aids Access Foundation director Nimit Tianudom said such a refusal could be considered a form of discrimination.

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thegabster
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Discussion 31 : 09 Mar 2013 at 21.3031
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This has absolutely nothing to do with facts but may I offer a creative solution to the Gay ACTIVISTS who have a vested interest in this issue, why don't you just go off and open up your own blood bank for gays? And the whole problem will be solved and you can keep your blood for yourselves!!!!!!
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bluebottle
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Discussion 30 : 09 Mar 2013 at 20.5730
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I am afraid those of you who have been infected may have been infected by poor hygiene in the hospital.To re use any implement that has been in contact with any of these infections could transmit the problem on to the next person and so on, fact.These implement's should be destroyed.
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spiceman
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Discussion 29 : 09 Mar 2013 at 20.4029
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What happens to "Do no harm" when in doubt?
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bangmodken
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Discussion 28 : 09 Mar 2013 at 18.3628
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I don't understand how refusing blood from high risk groups is even an issue.
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bkk-farang
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Discussion 27 : 09 Mar 2013 at 17.4627
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I like to ask the people in this forum who support gay donors the following:
Do you also support the idea that other high risk groups like drug users and prostitutes should be able to donate blood?
If you are in need of blood would you prefer blood which is more likely clean or would you accept a higher risk but be satisfied that you supported gay rights?
Just for the record: I know that not all gays, druggies and prostitutes are HIV positive but the risk is higher. When the Red Cross denies blood from maybe 20% of the people that is in the interest of every blood receiver.
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ATNN
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Discussion 26 : 09 Mar 2013 at 17.3026
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If you lead a risky lifestyle, regardless of your sexual orientation, you should be responsible enough not to seek to donate blood in the first place. Then again, if you were responsible, you wouldn't lead a risky lifestyle that placed other people in society at risk in the first place. Idiots will be idiots. Frankly I don't think it has anything to do with homosexuals, just the faux-human rights racket that seeks to turn society into a free for all minus any sense of responsibility with that freedom.
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mr.meldrew
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Discussion 25 : 09 Mar 2013 at 17.0625
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zulu D 11: You write "HIV has left the Gay community long time ago" .... You are so wrong. It's getting worse. Read the following:

1) Number of gay men catching HIV has doubled in 20 years because new drugs have 'encouraged unsafe sex' http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2279298/Number-gay-men-catching-HIV-doubled-20-years-new-drugs-encouraged-unsafe-sex.html

2) More than 4 per cent of gay men are estimated to have contracted HIV, compared with less than 0.1 per cent in the general population. http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1183880/hiv-30-year-high-more-gay-men-infected
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thegabster
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Discussion 24 : 09 Mar 2013 at 16.5224
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And also bear in mind that these issues are from ACTIVISTS who are only looking at something from their own vested interest which is from a discrimination point of view. To them I say grow up! This is not discrimination it is a policy and process which is implemented as a means to protect the general population at large. So accept the umpires decision that you failed the interview stage, and if you were infected you would have failed at that stage, but at least the nurses time will not have been wasted further than the interview process. They are busy enough in a blood bank anyway.
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ubuntu
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Discussion 23 : 09 Mar 2013 at 16.4623
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The article alleges "human rights violations" and "outdated thinking".

Welcome to Thailand
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thegabster
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Discussion 22 : 09 Mar 2013 at 16.4322
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Blood donors should:
• Be healthy and not suffering from a cold, flu or other illness at the time of donation
• Be aged between 16 and 70 years
• Weigh at least 45kg
• Have normal temperature and blood pressure
• Meet guidelines designed to protect both the donor and the people who will receive the blood.
Some medications that you take may affect your ability to donate blood.
Donors who have spent six months or more in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man between 1980 and 1996 are deferred from donating for the foreseeable future.

This is due to the possibility that they
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Gays demand right to give blood | Bangkok Post: news

Activists demand rethink on blood donor HIV risks

Red Cross says ban on gays not discriminatory

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