CaMpAiGnS!

JohnK · Pieces of me you've never seen

CaMpAiGnS!

Adam · *Censored*

Not sure about the giving blood thing, seeing as that is fundementally for a good reason - at the end of the day a bad blood transfusion could kill somebody, and its understandable that they dont want to take a risk. I have given blood a couple of times, it makes you faint and throw up, its not like its that fun. And besides, they wouldn't question your sexuality when giving you a blood transfusion. That's just my opinion, I am guessing most of you will think otherwise.

Having said that I am all for the other two suggestions, in the light of the civil partnerships bill and the protests against Jerry Springer I have a very low opinion of Christian campaigners (they actually published the names and addressess of BBC executives to encourage people to go and protest against them and their families face to face) so am all for doing something on that line, though the christian groups at the uni do seem nice enough.

JohnK · Pieces of me you've never seen

quote:
Originally posted by: Adam
"Not sure about the giving blood thing, seeing as that is fundementally for a good reason - at the end of the day a bad blood transfusion could kill somebody, and its understandable that they dont want to take a risk. I have given blood a couple of times, it makes you faint and throw up, its not like its that fun. And besides, they wouldn't question your sexuality when giving you a blood transfusion. That's just my opinion, I am guessing most of you will think otherwise.

"

I understand your point Adam, however I disagree.

Every time you donate blood to the National Blood Service it is screened for all the diseases under the sun. Therefore, surely, there shouldn't be much of a problem.

The main crux of the NBS's argument is HIV and gay men.

The majority of gay men who are HIV+ know they have HIV - therefore they simply wouldn't want to give blood. They aren't stupid. That leaves a huge number of gay men who have perfectly acceptable blood who aren't allowed to give it simply because of their sexuality.

HIV doesn't only affect gay men - it can affect people from any part of society. It refuses to acknowledge that texclusively heterosexual people partake in risky sex (ie. anal sex), can be promisuous and can believe it or not, fail to practice safe sex.

The NBS guidelines ask you now whether you have HIV or in the past 6 months have put yourself at risk of catching HIV. Surely this covers gay men too? Why create an entire caegory solely for men who sleep with men?

What these guidelines do is stigmatise gay and bisexual men. No matter how long ago you had sex with another man, no matter whether you are in an exclusively monogamous relationship, no matter if you practice safe-sex, no matter if you have perfectly clen blood, that the NBS is crying out for, you aren't allowed to give. Thats wrong isn't it? That I with perfectly clean and healthy blood aren' allowed to donate it to a cause which is so i need of it?

The biggest hypocrysy of course is that the NBS accepts blood from other countries to meet the needs of the NHS in this country. - countries which have no rules on gay men giving blood.

JOHN x

JohnK · Pieces of me you've never seen

Oh and just to point out too, Gay and Bi men aren't allowed to donate bone-marrow either.

IMHO, its a very stupid situation. Especially when my bone marrow could save someones life.

On a lighter note though gays, when your dead, the organ donor service don't care about your sexuality. They use your organs! Bless em'

thaidave · Not Thai Dave

Totally agree your list John, especially the blood clause, which is blatantly a homophobic leftover from previously approved legislation where there was a greater deal of ignorance...... i could go on all day

PeterJ · Dame Poofy

National Blood Service.

JohnK · Pieces of me you've never seen

RE: CaMpAiGnS!

NickyDyke85 · YouCanaeSmokeNayHashOn'Ere!

I agree wi the campaign about the blood thing, its proper wrong. As 4 the murder 8 rap stuff & active christian groups, not sure bout any proper way 2 combat them apart from clubbin them 2 death or tryin 2 find sum sort of point of law bout discrimination that cud b argued & bring it 2 attention

NickyDyke85 · YouCanaeSmokeNayHashOn'Ere!

Got a possible suggestion bout y there aint a T in the sheffield LGB, cud b cos theres pretty much no1 under the age of 40 who's trans round there.

JohnK · Pieces of me you've never seen

quote:
Originally posted by: NickyDyke85
"I agree wi the campaign about the blood thing, its proper wrong. As 4 the murder 8 rap stuff & active christian groups, not sure bout any proper way 2 combat them apart from clubbin them 2 death or tryin 2 find sum sort of point of law bout discrimination that cud b argued & bring it 2 attention"

With the Murder Music thing we could encourage the record shops in Leeds to stop selling their music. We could also encourage the union to not play their music (remember there is a 'No Platform' policy at uni, so this would help us argue against them playing it)

The fundamental Christian protesters that hang around Dortmund Square often harass gay people offering them a 'cure' to their Christianity, telling them they are sinners etc etc. (This happened to someone off the committee actually recently). They also parade so called 'cured' ex-gays as well.

What we can do is
1. Keep an eye on them (and encourage people to report harrassment to the police)
2. Stage our own protest in Dortmund Square right next door to them and show them we don't care and are proud! this would take guts - but I think it would be an effective way to combat them.

JohnK · Pieces of me you've never seen

quote:
Originally posted by: NickyDyke85
"Got a possible suggestion bout y there aint a T in the sheffield LGB, cud b cos theres pretty much no1 under the age of 40 who's trans round there."

Hmmm.

I think that it is important that all LGB groups open their doors to Trans members whether there are visibly any trans people there or not.

I think this link explains why I think there shoud be T in every LGB.

http://uk.gay.com/headlines/7350

Sorry Nic, not accusing you of being seperatist - i know your quite the opposite, but I do think it is important that LGB's actively welcom Trans members of the union because, as the woman from the link says:

"We've historically worked together. If you have any doubts, remember our opponents over the Gender Recognition Act and Civil Partnership Act - the hoodlums with the special edition of the Bible that doesn't have ‘love thy neighbour’ in it - they don't distinguish between us."

"In Germany in the thirties, the pink triangle was applied to all of us. The people who were in the front line of the Stonewall riots were not just gay men - they were primarily the trans people," she added.

"When the chips have really been down, we've been together."

"We have moved out of the ghetto. Let’s not think back in the ghetto. Let’s not forget what we have learned, what we have gained by working together. We have a chance to build on what we've gained in the last 10 years."

"Let us build equality together."

Trans and LGB people suffer the same sort of prejudices because they are all 'Queered' by society.

In terms of our own LGBT I think it is important that we welcom and support everyone who comes to us. I may not be Trans, but I'm 'queer' just like that Trans person is - and that is key to why we should support each other, and fight together.

Sorry Nic, that was just a rant. not aimed at you at all :P

NickyDyke85 · YouCanaeSmokeNayHashOn'Ere!

No worries John :o)

The protesting right next 2 the Christian group sounds good.

ChipsAndLube · Bertha, lovely Bertha, you are a lovely machine.

when i was in town on saturday i noticed that the chavs were givin the bible thumping loons a hard time. you gotta love burbury scum, aintcha?

thaidave · Not Thai Dave

quote:
Originally posted by: ChipsAndLube
"when i was in town on saturday i noticed that the chavs were givin the bible thumping loons a hard time. you gotta love burbury scum, aintcha?"

always, i'm up for the gay and proud thing.

Adam · *Censored*

were they burberry clad ginger babies?