Hello all, i don't know who will read this nor who will care about this, but i will tell you of something that saddens,sickens and enrages me.

My name is Jon, i am 18 years old and live in the UK. At present i am learning to drive and today while out i saw something that made my blood nearly boil within my veins. It was a van. A small white van the type used by a small business and is a fairly common sight on our roads. Why did this anger me you ask? Painted on it where the words "Please Give Blood" when i see,hear or am asked to donate my heart is filled with anger,sadness and frustration. Why? I am banned FOR LIFE from donating my blood in the UK, USA, Canada and countless other countries. Why you are wondering i assume. It's not the paw print scratched into my flesh, nor any medication i am on. It's something i had no say over. I am a Homosexual male and proud.

Sadly MOST people are unaware of the fact that Gay or Bisexual men are banned FOR LIFE from giving blood in countless places. (Well, thats not 100% true, you CAN donate if you lie or are a virgin, but otherwise they'll decline you or likely discard your blood after you leave.) They believe we are a "High Risk" for HIV/AIDS which is a biased and out-dated view from an older time when people where ignorant and didn't understand things as well as they do now. Yet still at present these laws stand firm and prevent people like myself giving blood.

I post this to raise awareness of this issue and to encourage people who CAN donate to do so as we can't. If the law is changed i WILL become a donor but i am not willing to lie in order to do what should be a right from birth. Please read into the laws in your State/Country and sign any petitions you can to try to get this out dated law changed, the changes you bring may just save YOUR life or that of someone you care for.

I hope at least one person reads this and is touched by it. If that happens then i will have at least made a small difference.

Regards,

~Jon~