I’m Louis Tharp[url]http://www.louistharp.org[/url], and my friends and I would like to donate 219,000 pints of blood – each year.

This is the quantity the Williams Institute for Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law says could be donated each year if the FDA lifted its ban on gay men giving blood.

Most people are unaware that the FDA will not allow gay men to donate blood if they have had sex with another man – anytime since 1977.

The American Red Cross, the Human Rights Campaign, America’s Blood Centers, the American Association of Blood Banks, Senators, Congressmen, physicians, scientists, and many others, are sympathetic to changing these rules. But the FDA, following the recommendation of the Federal Advisory Committee on Blood Safety and Availability, says “no”.

The American Red Cross said, “While the Red Cross is obligated by law to follow the guidelines set forth by the FDA, we also strongly support the use of rational, scientifically based deferral periods that are applied fairly and consistently among donors who engage in similar risk activities.”

We have sophisticated tests that can identify the HIV virus as well as antibodies, ensuring a safe blood supply. Unfortunately we also have less than sophisticated people in charge who prefer to choose homophobia over science, ensuring a continuing blood shortage.

Please give blood, heterosexuals. You’re 219,000 pints behind.