Organ Donation

[KellyD]

So for me when I re-newed my health card this year, I was asked if I would like to be an organ donnor. I knew that I would be asked and I thought about it for awhile, and I decided I would be. Knowing that if I can save someones life than why not. I'm going to be dead anyways I have no use for them. So anyways, this subject is close to my heart. Knowing I could possibly save someones life when I pass.
Things just changed though. I was just watching my local news, and apparently the Canadian government is saying that, if you are gay or lesbian you cannot be an organ doner. I am sooo upset by this. Its discrimination. And now because I am a lesbian I won't be able to donate my organs. How unfair is that. I can see them saying no you can't donate if you HIV positive or something like that, so why not do a test and find out. As of right now I am an organ doner and it says it right on my health card. But if something was to happen to me, and the hospital found out I was a lesbian they wouldn't use my organs. I am so upset by this. Canada is messed, we can legal gay marriage, but they cant legalize organ doner. And with the shortage they are always complaining about with blood and organs you would think that they would take whoever they can. I thought the world was changing..and obviously its not. So I guess if I want to donate my organs I have to hide and my family has to hide who I am if I was dying.:mad:

[jlilest]

That does not sound like it makes any sense at all.

If someone is in good health and wants to donate their organs when they die, they should be allowed to.

There is way too much of a shortage of organs to be picky based on something that makes no sense. :mad:

[Diana75]

Are you serious?? That is completely insane and frankly makes no sense. How could they even tell anyway? It's not like it's written on your forehead. I am very confused by this. :confused:

[KellyD]

I know it doesn't make sense to me either. And when I was getting my healthcard re-newed they didn't ask me if I was a lesbian, which I would have told the truth. I'm not ashamed of who I am. And to me I'm no different than anybody else. We're all one. It shouldn't matter about the color, religion or sexual orientantion. I and other gays and lesbians should have the same rights as everyone else in this world. Gays and lesbians aren't the only ones with HIV/Aids...straight people get it too..Our government is messed so is the society we live in.

[Humanafterall]

:eek: WHAT??? That's insane!!! Gawd, I hate politics. Healthy organs are heathy organs. If the donar is safe and responsible. No one should give a "flying fart" about sexual orientation/ability/race/ethnicity/religion/beliefs or if they only eat cheese on Tuesdays.

Jeeeeze people. :mad:

I guess "the human" has spoken.

Kate

[xirtam]

thats really awful :mad:

[KellyD]

Question---I want to do something about this. Is there anyone on this forum that is in government politcs or something that could give me advice on how to try and fight this?? PM plz

[Titch]

That's insanity!!!!! :irre:

Surely they'd be grateful for any healthy organ they can get! :confused::confused:

[tcsced]

You know what's interesting is that when Ellen showed her driver's license pic on her show a few years ago, there was a tiny round pink sticker on the front of it that said DONOR on it! And EVERYONE knows who she is!!! It's not like she can hide her sexual orientation the way you can!

So what does this mean? That in the US gays and lesbians CAN'T legally marry, BUT they can give their organs...and in Canada they CAN get legally married, BUT they CAN'T give away their organs??? Doesn't this sound a little backwards and messed up to you guys??? Of course, I don't even know what the law is about that here in the US, but it must be legal if Ellen has a donor sticker on her driver's license!!

Personally, I agree with everyone else here on this whole issue...if you have healthy organs, you should be able to donate them!!! It doesn't matter who you're attracted to, the color of your skin, whatever!! End of discussion!!!

[xmaryx]

In the UK you cant give blood if your a gay male, well according to my housemate who happens to be one. Also he warned me about never revealing to my doctor that I'm gay as it goes on your file...not really sure why they'd need to know
But yeah KellyD that sucks!

[itrack4u]

Question---I want to do something about this. Is there anyone on this forum that is in government politcs or something that could give me advice on how to try and fight this?? PM plz

Check your pm's

[Tristania]

In the UK you cant give blood if your a gay male, well according to my housemate who happens to be one. Also he warned me about never revealing to my doctor that I'm gay as it goes on your file...not really sure why they'd need to know
But yeah KellyD that sucks!

This is true. The last time I gave blood I was shocked at the extra new questions they've added to the questionnaire. Basically it was always have you had a tattoo recently, visited these countries or had sex with a person you knew has AIDS. Now it's a thorough exam with a massive checklist. If you tick off more than a few boxes you just leave the room. Quite embarrassing, I would imagine. And no-one should have to declare their sexuality in a potentially life saving situation like organ donation or blood transfers. Not unless you have an active illness that could infect some-one else, of course. *gets off soap box*

[misskitty]

i cannot give blood or what not either because i have Epilepsy and take medication so therefore i cannot do that either :(

[strawberries]

I think in Canada they are only banning gay men who are sexually active from donating organs. I can sort of understand this because the chance for being infected is higher in gay men than in lesbians (I read this somewhere..don’t quote me on that).

They are also restricting IV-drug abusers and people with infectious diseases. They have a whole bunch of questions to ask the potential donor like, if they recently traveled to foreign countries or if they have tattoos. This makes sense, since the person who needs an organ wants to get a healthy organ, and not just die right after the transplant from an infected organ.

KellyD, maybe you can still donate since you are a lesbian. I thought it was only gay men who are banned.

[chinook]

i also read that if you ae a cancer survivor you cant be an organ donor either, i think if i was in need of an organ i would take what i could get...there is just too much politics involved in everything it seems

[KellyD]

K i listened to the news wrong..it is only gay men that can't donate...but regardless that isn't fair...why can't they just do an HIV test..it takes a few mins to take blood...the government is messed.

[Humanafterall]

That's ridiculous Not all gay men have AIDS :mad:

*kicks bucket* :mad:

[strawberries]

It's gay men who have been sexually active within the last 5 years. Those who are not sexually active are allowed to be donors.
Maybe they still test them though, because I'm sure some gay men take precautions to stay safe.

[Tysonshadow]

I have Epilepsy and take medication daily too, so I can't donate blood either.

My Mum had a knee replacement and it was possible that she would need a blood transfusion. She really didn't want one, but she asked if one of her 3 kids could be the blood donor but they advise strongly against that too. Kids won't admit to their parents or doctors doing stuff they shouldn't be doing!

I am an organ donor but my Dad is against it, so if I die before he does he will probably not allow it.:(

[AnastasiaBeavrhausen]

I am an organ donor too. I couldn't give blood because I was on blood thinners, but I understand that. But with all my Bipolar and depression meds, I qualify. But I also cannot give because I had 6 blood transfusions when I was in the hospital... its so weird. But still, it shouldn't matter if you are gay or not... thats ludicrous! :mad::mad:

[maddog]

Sh!t I hate governments, they are all screwed up, but the canadain gov is weird. They have same sex marraige but homosexuals cant donate organs wtf :confused::wallbash:

I am an organ donor, but take reg. meds so they won't let me give blood:mad:

[xmaryx]

Sh!t I hate governments, they are all screwed up, but the canadain gov is weird. They have same sex marraige but homosexuals cant donate organs wtf :confused::wallbash:

I am an organ donor, but take reg. meds so they won't let me give blood:mad:

the whole system is screwed up...i was thinking about this the other day as i heard a news story about UK soldiers needing screening for diseases after recieving blood from US soldiers who had been unscreened at the time and the minister for defence defended the actions saying it was better for the troops to get blood then and possibly be infected then not to get blood and die. ... in the UK gay men (and women) can serve openly in the army, but gay men cant give blood, so does that mean they dont take blood from gay soldiers? or except in an emergency (i'm not saying the US troops were gay, it just got me thinking)
:confused::confused:

[maddog]

the whole system is screwed up...i was thinking about this the other day as i heard a news story about UK soldiers needing screening for diseases after recieving blood from US soldiers who had been unscreened at the time and the minister for defence defended the actions saying it was better for the troops to get blood then and possibly be infected then not to get blood and die. ... in the UK gay men (and women) can serve openly in the army, but gay men cant give blood, so does that mean they dont take blood from gay soldiers? or except in an emergency (i'm not saying the US troops were gay, it just got me thinking)
:confused::confused:

They (govs) don't care about any of the soldiers, let alone gay ones. Look at the US appauling health care for return soldiers. Virtually none. Its a capitilist war with no winners, except big bussiness. SHAME ON BUSH :mad::wallbash: