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The gay blood ban is discriminatory, ineffective, ill-targeted, unnecessary, outdated, it threatens the blood supply, and the Trudeau government continues to defend it. https://www.vice.com/en/article/pkd3vy/justin-trudeau-gay-blood-donation-ban-is-ineffective-health-canada-documents-show
I have been harping on this issue for so long. Parts of these documents confirm exactly what I've been contending for years. Like I wrote in 2016, the reality is more complex than "gays are predisposed to HIV." https://www.vice.com/en/article/ppvww8/the-liberal-party-took-gay-money-in-promising-to-end-the-blood-ban-they-lied-to-us
Here's Health Canada agreeing:
Here's Health Canada agreeing:
I've pointed out that existing screening technology is really, really good. Here's evidence of how good it is.
I've pointed out that other countries don't have a ban, and go on just fine. Here's a breakdown of other countries who don't discriminate based on sexual orientation.
I've argued that a lifestyle-based questionnaire would actually help Canada expand its donor pool. Here's Canadian Blood Services agreeing, but noting that changing the rules might exclude high-risk straight people!
It's been four years since I sat down with @janephilpott to argue about this. It's wild to me that this government can't get its act together and end what everyone agrees is a discriminatory regulation. https://www.vice.com/en/article/jmk4xp/we-spoke-to-canadas-health-minister-about-the-bullshit-blood-ban-rules-for-gay-men
If any reporter wants to follow up on this, shoot me a DM and I'll send the docs.
