The Gay Men's Health Crisis in New York is calling on the FDA to repeal the ban on blood donations by men who have sex with men.  Since 1985, men who have had sex with men even once since 1977 are prohibited from donating blood out of fear the blood will be contaminated with HIV.  In 1985, it was believed that HIV was mainly a 'gay disease'.  The GMHC released a report called “A Drive for Change: Reforming U.S. Blood Donation Policies” in which they call for the new Federal policy to assess whether a donor's behavior makes them a high risk for HIV infection.  Sexual orientation, the report explains, would not be part of that analysis.  The Red Cross, HIV advocates, and countless others have called for the blood donation ban to be repealed for years.

The GMHC created an acronym for what they propose the new blood donation rules should be -- D.O.N.A.T.E. which stands for:

• Decreased risk to blood donation recipients of accidental HIV transmission;
• Objective risk factors as primary basis for blood donor policies;
• Non-discriminatory impact on gay/bisexual men and other groups;
• Awareness-raising of HIV prevention and transmission risks;
• Technology-driven donor screening and blood screening procedures; and
• Expansion of safe, eligible blood donor pool.

Read the entire report over at the GMHC website.

There's a very interesting letter to the editor in the New York Times Op-Ed section yesterday from the head of the Gay Men's Health Crisis in New York.  It's in response to an article from February 23's Theater section where it's contended the current crop of gay themed theater is not politically charged but more about the broader spectrum of common issues affecting all people.  Activism plays virtually no part in any current theater, the article noted. 

The response in yesterday's NYT by Marjorie Hill, the GMHC's Chief Executive, argues that HIV should remain a theme of current theater, that it remains a threat to the LGBT community.  In part, Hill wrote "Too often, gay men’s lives are marked as dispensable. Their stories — even in the face of adversity and H.I.V. — are worthy to be told in our theaters. We cannot forget the 30,000 gay men newly infected in the United States each year and more than 500,000 in the United States who are living with AIDS."  Read Hill's entire letter here.  You can check out the GMHC website by clicking the graphic above. 

Personally, I think Hill's right.  Until I'm told I'm cured, HIV remains a health crisis in my part of America.

Tonight at Touche, at 6412 N. Clark Street, join the Chicago members of Cleveland Leather Awareness Weekend (CLAW) and KAOS Kontrol for CLAW Nation, a benefit for BEHIV.  It's $25 admission per person or $40 per couple.  There's a sponsor reception from 10 PM to Midnight in the Club Room.  Then the festivities run till 3 AM Sunday with raffles and a hot jock contest.  Adorn your finest leather wares and be there for BEHIV.

• 1st Prize: Chicago getaway package
• 2nd Prize: 2 tickets to the 2011 Cabaret
• 3rd Prize:  $250 Allen Brothers Steaks gift certificate

Click here to buy tickets for the event or purchase raffle tickets!

BEHIV will also be recognizing some outstanding supporters:

• Director's Award: State Sen. Heather Steans & State Rep. Harry Osterman
• President's Award: Mark Tendam
• Benefactor Award: Scott Waller
• Volunteer Appreciation Award: Toby Ropeik

MTMChicago.com is a proud media sponsor of Red Hot Cabaret.