Why wasn't student allowed to donate?

Blood drives are signs of hope. Recently the Sandpoint High School hosted a large blood drive where many teenagers took the opportunity to save lives. However, not all students were allowed.

Weight, height, tattoos, and piercings have always seemed like valid reasons to not be able to give blood. What was not so valid was a student being turned away because of his sexual orientation. Before giving blood, students are asked incredibly personal questions, and when he was honest and complied, he was sent away.

The stereotype that all homosexual men have HIV/AIDS is old and outdated. Whether or not there are numbers to prove that it is more common amongst them, it is not acceptable to make assumptions, especially when it is fairly simple to screen for any STDs. If there was a concern, they could have screened the blood.

Why are homosexuals being turned away from blood drives but women who have had many sexual partners are allowed? They are just as likely to carry something as men are. Whether or not a person agrees with homosexuality should be completely irrelevant in this case. He wanted to give blood and as a person meeting all physical requirements, he should have been able to.

I can only hope that the next time Sandpoint High School holds a blood drive, he will be able to give blood and help save a life. Besides, is that not what the whole thing is about anyway?

HEATHER DuMARS

Sandpoint