http://www.sineadgleeson.com/blog/2005/11/30/are-the-ibts-homophobic/ Sinéad Gleeson's blog Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:15:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 http://www.sineadgleeson.com/blog/2005/11/30/are-the-ibts-homophobic/#comment-819 Sarah Wed, 07 Dec 2005 13:47:53 +0000 http://www.sineadgleeson.com/blog/2005/11/30/are-the-ibts-homophobic/#comment-819 Here's what they actually say: don't give blood if "You are a male who has ever had anal or oral sex with another male, even if a condom or other form of protection was used ". This is fair enough since anal sex particularly is a great way to spread blood borne diseases. I'd accept that if they also said don't give blood if you are a female who has engaged in anal sex since presumably the same risks apply. I was also outraged when they refused by husband cos he lived in Northern Ireland. Years ago they refused me because I was too small (weighed under 8 stone). I've had babies, an endoscopy, acupuncture - you name it - so am out on all counts! And I'd love to give blood. And I have a pretty rare blood type so I'd say they need it, A-. Desperate when your philanthropy is rejected! Here’s what they actually say: don’t give blood if “You are a male who has ever had anal or oral sex with another male, even if a condom or other form of protection was used “. This is fair enough since anal sex particularly is a great way to spread blood borne diseases. I’d accept that if they also said don’t give blood if you are a female who has engaged in anal sex since presumably the same risks apply.
I was also outraged when they refused by husband cos he lived in Northern Ireland. Years ago they refused me because I was too small (weighed under 8 stone). I’ve had babies, an endoscopy, acupuncture - you name it - so am out on all counts! And I’d love to give blood. And I have a pretty rare blood type so I’d say they need it, A-. Desperate when your philanthropy is rejected!

]]> http://www.sineadgleeson.com/blog/2005/11/30/are-the-ibts-homophobic/#comment-804 dealga Sun, 04 Dec 2005 07:13:20 +0000 http://www.sineadgleeson.com/blog/2005/11/30/are-the-ibts-homophobic/#comment-804 I'm not any shape of expert, and I'm more than willing to be corrected, but my experience of biochemistry and microbiology tells me that blood viralscreening is a) not quick, as Damien says and b) flawed, as a 'none-detected' result does not equate to '0 viral load'. In analytical chemistry 'none-detected' is never deduced to be 'zero'. That's not a justification for anything, by the way... I’m not any shape of expert, and I’m more than willing to be corrected, but my experience of biochemistry and microbiology tells me that blood viralscreening is a) not quick, as Damien says and b) flawed, as a ‘none-detected’ result does not equate to ‘0 viral load’. In analytical chemistry ‘none-detected’ is never deduced to be ‘zero’. That’s not a justification for anything, by the way…

]]> http://www.sineadgleeson.com/blog/2005/11/30/are-the-ibts-homophobic/#comment-799 Garreth Sat, 03 Dec 2005 08:37:46 +0000 http://www.sineadgleeson.com/blog/2005/11/30/are-the-ibts-homophobic/#comment-799 I was an active blood donor, and earned a little badge for my efforts, but was disappointed a few years ago when the IBTS made a decision to refuse blood from anybody who has worked in a tropical malarial country for 6 months or more. Apparently there is no technology for testing for malarial residues in the blood of us old Africa hands. This means all Gardai and Army volunteers with UN peacekeeping operations, along with aid workers and missionaries, are excluded from contributing to the Irish hospital blood bank. I got my TD to ask the Minister for a written reply in the Dail, but got no joy from his reply. And I've never had any bloody malaria or anything. I was an active blood donor, and earned a little badge for my efforts, but was disappointed a few years ago when the IBTS made a decision to refuse blood from anybody who has worked in a tropical malarial country for 6 months or more. Apparently there is no technology for testing for malarial residues in the blood of us old Africa hands. This means all Gardai and Army volunteers with UN peacekeeping operations, along with aid workers and missionaries, are excluded from contributing to the Irish hospital blood bank. I got my TD to ask the Minister for a written reply in the Dail, but got no joy from his reply. And I’ve never had any bloody malaria or anything.

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