A proposal to lift the lifetime ban of blood donations by gay men, recently introduced by Sen. John Kerry and supported by Sen. Bob Casey, has garnered support from students and local groups.
Kerry, D-Mass., has urged other legislators to lift the 1977 law that prohibits gay men from giving blood if they have engaged in homosexual activity at any point in their lives. The law was created to avoid the risk of passing the AIDS virus through donated blood from gay men.
Casey, D-Pa., who is listed as a co-supporter of Kerry's bill, said he hopes the ban is lifted to help hospitals and emergency rooms avoid blood shortages.
"There is no scientific justification for such a blanket ban," Casey said. "We
should encourage the lifesaving benefits that can be provided
by those who give blood."
Though he's on the other side of the political aisle, Penn State College Republicans President David Frantz also agrees with Kerry and Casey.
"As long as the blood samples they are receiving from the men are perfectly safe, I do not see a problem in lifting the ban," Frantz said.
The American Red Cross does not support the current ban and was disappointed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration did not make changes in the law when the issue came to light in 2007, said Marianne Spampinato, regional communications manager for the Red Cross.
"The Red Cross is dedicated to fairness and equality in the formulation and administration of donor selection criteria in order to ensure a safe and plentiful blood supply for all patients regardless of belief, race, gender or sexual persuasion," Spampinato said.
Jessica Pelliciotta, president of the Penn State College Democrats, agrees with Kerry's proposal and would like to see the ban lifted. She plans to discuss the topic at the next College Democrats meeting.
She said it is important to get the information out to other students who may not have knowledge of the bill, informing them about scientific facts that prove the law is unfair.
"The law is outdated. It is an unjustified stereotype that can not be scientifically proven," she said. "It is unfair, and definitely a good idea to lift the ban."
