Comments on Aussie Pete: Red Cross Accused Of Gay Discrimination

Hello Michael - we wish you well in your continued...

2009-05-28T09:11:14.666-07:00

Hello Michael - we wish you well in your continued battle with this. The article here was covered on a local forum in Singapore at the time, and there was much debate (both for and against your cause) - homosexuality in Singapore is still a very hotly discussed topic, with the debate on 'Article 377A' and the recent 'Pink Dot' gathering making news regularly, and many people with very passionate views on both sides.

Regardless of the 'kind' of publicity, I think it is all good for awareness - next is education.

Hi Guys. Today the verdict was handed down on my ...

2009-05-27T04:59:10.592-07:00

Hi Guys. Today the verdict was handed down on my case and the decision was against me. The Red Cross have upheld their right to discriminate. While this is a setback it's not the end. I urge you to visit my website www.gayblooddonation.org and/or email me for comments or questions: mike.cain@bigpond.com

to the two anonymous posts above (11 aug) you may ...

2009-02-10T19:03:00.000-08:00

to the two anonymous posts above (11 aug) you may have correct facts, but your logic is wrong.

The fact is that there is also a proportion (however large or small) of heterosexual people who engage in similar risky behaviour (unprotected sex, multiple (and often unknown HIV status) partners).

The plaintiff's argument is that no screening is being done to prevent those heterosexuals.

What I don't get is that surely they test the blood before it's deemed safe for hospital use? Wouldn't they pick up any HIV status in that stage?

FACT - globally, the increase in "trend" (per my a...

2008-08-11T09:22:00.000-07:00

FACT - globally, the increase in "trend" (per my article) of HIV infections in heterosexuals is increasing disproportianately to the trend in homosexuals (one trend is going up, one going down). You can google this as much as you like, and will find the same result in most countries around the world. It is no secret that pre-2005 per the CDC study attached that in the US, the highest % of HIV infected people were gay. This is what has led to the incorrect belief (and discrimination) that AIDS is a disease for gay people - we must teach our children differently now, lest they will fall victim to this disease.

Brief stats on the trend in Canada as one example:

http://www.pulsus.com/CAHR2003/abs/abs211.htm

I agree 100% this is a health issue (of other people). A person who is not promiscuous and has one long-term sex partner should be deemed safer than a person have sex with multiple partners. Regardless of whether the donor is gay - this is exactly the point.

I think that the HIV virus, like some medicine, pe...

2008-08-11T08:40:00.000-07:00

I think that the HIV virus, like some medicine, penetrates better through the back.

BTW, why is he so desperate to donate his blood? Like that also wanna sue?

Given the facts mentioned as above, it is in no wa...

2008-08-11T08:35:00.000-07:00

Given the facts mentioned as above, it is in no way a clear victory for the plaintiff at all.

Also, the issue at hand is regarding blood donation. This concerns the health of other people. This case is not the same as refusing to hire somebody because he's gay.

Fact: The HIV infection rate amongst gays is dispr...

2008-08-11T08:26:00.000-07:00

Fact: The HIV infection rate amongst gays is disproportionately high.

Fact: Gays tend to engage in risky sexual behaviour.

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/msm/resources/factsheets/msm.htm

good on him. could never happen in Singapore.

2008-08-10T11:42:00.000-07:00

good on him. could never happen in Singapore.