LORD HAVE MERCY.
Can we please just leave it at this - that there are certain lifestyles, health histories, and choices that increase one's risk of HIV infection, and other blood borne diseases - and those whose lives include a higher risk be screened out of the blood supply?
It's nothing PERSONAL, people. I can't give blood because I lived in Europe during the mad cow disease scare. Prior to about 2001 I was a very regular blood donor, even after I came back to the US after living in Europe. Suddenly the powers that be determined that I was high risk, and now I can't give blood anymore.
My husband worked in Africa for 11 years. Even though he never had sex with any Africans, he can't give blood either. In fact, since we're married, even if I had never lived in Europe, I wouldn't be able to give blood anyway, because I have sex with a man who lived and worked in Africa.
And I can assure you that he doesn't have AIDS and I don't have mad cow disease. But we're banned for life now, even though our lifestyles for the past 5 years at least have been totally risk free, and we've both given copious amounts of blood in the past. Damn good blood too, I might add.
It's not personal. It's not a RIGHTS issue. It's a RISK issue.