In 1983, fears concerning HIV/AIDs infection prompted the FDA to instate rules banning sexually active homosexual men from donating blood.
The policy has since been deemed outdated by many gay rights activists, particularly since blood banks now test all contributions for HIV (as well as hepatitis, syphilis and other infectious and sexually-transmitted diseases). However, for the time being, the FDA continues to enforce the rule – a rule that recently prompted administrators at a Chicago blood bank to reject a male donor after his effeminate behavior led them to doubt this sexual orientation.
Aaron Pace, 22, is a heterosexual man. But according to the Chicago Sun-Times, Pace’s looks and behavior prompted interviewers at Bio-Blood Components, Inc. to say that he “appeared to be a homosexual,” and ultimately reject his application to donate.
Pace told the Times, “I was humiliated and embarrassed,” and added that it’s “not right” to exclude homosexuals from the blood donation process.
“And I’m not even a homosexual,” he concluded.
