André Gomez, in partnership with Gay Visalia and Gay Porterville, is bringing The National Gay Blood Drive to Visalia. The National Gay Blood Drive aims to shed light on the FDA’s ban on blood donations from gay and bisexual men.
“There is a constant need for blood and donors are essential in maintaining an adequate supply. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) bans gay and bisexual men from donating blood.”
Any man who has had any sexual contact with another man since 1977 is barred and banned from giving blood. This is due to the fear of spreading blood-borne illnesses such as HIV. However, this law is outdated and unnecessary. This also contributes to the fearful and negative stigma surrounding the gay and bisexual community, and those who are HIV +.
On Friday, July 11th, we ask every gay and bisexual man, along with their sponsor (friend, relative, etc.), to join us at the Central California Blood Center at 1515 S. Mooney Blvd in Visalia, CA. While there, we will have our awesome sponsors donate blood in our place. With The National Gay Blood Drive, we hope to show the FDA how much blood they are missing out on.
If you’re a gay or bisexual man, find a sponsor, and meet us there on Friday, July 11.
In Visalia, the event is happening 8:30am to 5:30pm at:
Central California Blood Center
1515 S Mooney Blvd, Visalia, CA 93277
RSVP on their Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/863234793704615/
This event is also happening in Fresno, please read more at: https://www.facebook.com/events/234349656774312/
