Blood Donations

Many parts of the country are experiencing a life-threatening crisis due to a shortage of blood and blood donors (July 15). Well, I am a healthy 44-year-old male who used to donate blood on a regular basis. And now I am prohibited from donating blood.

I am prohibited, not because I have any illnesses or health issues. In fact, I take more precautions than most people regarding my health, and have tested negative for HIV for over 10 years. No, I am prohibited from donating blood only because I am a gay man.

The ban on blood donation from people with HIV and AIDS makes sense. But do we bar sexually active heterosexuals from donating blood? Of course not. The ban on gay men donating blood, while originally based on sound public health principles, is now evidence of blatant discrimination, and nothing more.

Jack Herzberg

Laguna Beach