[Munki Bhoy]

There are some ridiculous rules. Once I went and had to wait around for half an hour or so while they tried to find out of if a short trip to the Ukraine meant I was not elligible to give blood. Not being Western Europe they couldn't be sure!

[S4B]

Are you saying that if you are gay you can't give blood?!

[catherine]

You can't give blood if you are male and have had sex with another male and you need to wait 12 months if you are female who has had sex with a male who has had sex with another male.

[Munki Bhoy]

Clearly from those rules they are saying that women have some sort of natural ability to cure themselves of HIV over a 12 month period, something men lack. I must have missed that lesson in school.

[foot-loose]

Are you saying that if you are gay you can't give blood?!

There's ifs and butts involved, but that's the long and short of it.

[MK Chris]

I understand the need to be careful, but I think the rule that says if you're a male who has ever had sex with another male is absolutely over the top. However, it's still a good thing to do.

[S4B]

Are you saying that if you are gay you can't give blood?!

There's ifs and butts involved, but that's the long and short of it.

That is RIDICULOUS! Is it not just perpetuating the myth that only gay men get AIDS? I was listening to Aled's first surgery and on there someone called in and asked whether it was only gay men who could get AIDS so that stupid myth is still out there. Why are people so short-sighted?

[catherine]

I think it has more to do with it taking 3 months before a HIV test will show up positive after catching it, so if a person did have HIV but it didn't show up in the HIV test they did on the blood donation it would then go into a patient and infect them.

[S4B]

But my point is Cat that it shouldn't just be gay men! Any of us can catch the HIV virus!

[MK Chris]

S4B we all agree with you, you don't need to go off on one at us for it..

They try to explain it here (PDF), but the argument still doesn't hold much weight for me.

[S4B]

I know you do! I'm not going off at you lot. I'm just outraged.

[Munki Bhoy]

The gay rights folk were getting a petition and all sorts of other stuff together against it a few months ago. I never heard if it came to anything though.

[foot-loose]

I know you do! I'm not going off at you lot. I'm just outraged.

Well, lets not get too worked up about it.

They will sort it out soon enough.

[S4B]

OK

*Calms down and goes to bed*

[Vivienne]

I know you do! I'm not going off at you lot. I'm just outraged.

Just being a bit silly.

[TIAL]

We're having a pool party today, lots of booze and hopefully the sun will come out.

[Vivienne]

Lucky you!! How jealous am I ... grrrrr

[S4B]

I have a weekend off and I have already done all my housework - except the ironing. I'm going to do nothing except read!

[Vivienne]

I'm happy because I've managed to get an Elizabeth Arden foundation reduced by more than half off a cosmetics website.

[Yudster]

Are you saying that if you are gay you can't give blood?!

There's ifs and butts involved, but that's the long and short of it.

The current exemptions list and screening process are both very old, and in need of an overhaul. This is happening I understand.

But the fact is that twenty years ago, blood banks had fridges and freezers full of blood and blood products, some of which were infectred with HIV, and many people have died as a result. When these restrictions were brought in, they were draconian - but there was a real need for very drastic action.

Things have moved on now, in understanding of the issues (medical and social) and screening technology, and it is time to look again at the system.

[catherine]

I can't give blood because i've been jaundice in the last 12 months and had surgery.

Making me smile is i thought i'll just check when taste of Birmingham is on and it is on now, so i'm off to it tomorrow. Zoot buy me a drink.

[MK Chris]

Are you saying that if you are gay you can't give blood?!

There's ifs and butts involved, but that's the long and short of it.

I can't believe I didn't notice this in the first place, but that is an unfortunate misspelling...

[Sunny So Cal]

I noticed it but given the subject matter, wasn't going to point it out. It must have been intentional as was "the long and the short of it."

[S4B]

I assumed it was intentional it being Footy's humour and all that.....

[Ezza]

I went clothes shopping both today and yesterday for stuff for my holiday and bought lots of stuff in the sales. Bikini shopping may be the death of me though.