As a Canadian, I am EXTREMELY privileged to live in a country where same-sex marriage has been legal for 15 years, has had discrimination laws protecting the LGBTQ+ community since 1982 - longer than I’ve been alive. But that doesn’t mean we have equality.
I’ve watched my transgender friend, who transitioned 10 years ago, have to change the gender marker on their health card back to female because they wouldn’t be able to get a surgery paid for otherwise. I’ve heard stories of people kicked out of their homes for their sexual preferences, people who were once on track to do incredible things with their lives only to end up homeless and struggling to survive instead.
I know all too well that 33% of LGBTQ+ youth have attempted suicide in comparison to the national average of just 7%.
And I know there’s much much much more.
As someone who is pursuing a medical career, I’ve seen first hand how a blood transfusion can change and save someone’s life. On the other side of that, I’ve also seen how a blood shortage can end it.
In Canada, gay men are unable to donate blood unless they have not had sexual contact with a man for 3 months, including those who are married or only have one sexual partner. There is NO rationale behind this. In the 80s, HIV/AIDS was largely misunderstood, had very little research about, and was considered a “gay mans disease” as it was believed that gay men would pass it along to others if they donated blood. But today, in 2019, there have been hundreds, if not thousands, of studies proving that idea was false. We screen the blood closely, and test for various illnesses/diseases. Yet there is still a restriction on them donating blood - something that can save lives.
Today, after being inspired by @taylorswift, I mailed a letter to the members of parliament (Canada’s version of a senator) who oversee health care asking them to remove ALL restrictions on gay men donating blood. This is something I should have done years ago. There is no reason as to why a gay male should have to abstain from sex for 3 months before donating, while a heterosexual person does not - it’s discrimination, and it could save a life. 🌈 💗
@taylorswift @taylornation
