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Uptown's Cathedral of Hope Partners With American Red Cross for Blood, Petition Drive Aug. 26

We know a lot more about HIV and AIDS than we did decades ago, when the US Food and Drug Administration banned the use of donated blood from gay men. That's why the Cathedral of Hope, Uptown's LGBT-friendly United Church of Christ congregation, has partnered with the American Red Cross for not only a blood drive to save lives, but a petition drive to change them, too.

“We believe the blanket moratorium against men who have sex with men perpetuates unwarranted discrimination against the bisexual and gay community and prevents healthy men from donating much-needed blood," said the Rev. Dr. Jo Hudson, Cathedral of Hope's senior pastor.

Other people who are not allowed to donate blood include those who have had a piercing or tattoo at an unlicensed facility, people who have traveled to the UK for extended periods, and those who have Hepatitis. 

“Right now, a heterosexual person who has unsafe sex with multiple partners can give blood, and that creates a greater risk than a gay person in a monogamous relationship,” said the Rev. Dr. Dawson B. Taylor, executive minister of Cathedral of Hope. “It's time to end this decades-old discriminatory practice."

Those who wish to participate in the drive, which will start at 8:30 a.m. and end at 3 p.m. on Aug. 26, can sign up at the church, online at redcrossblood.org or by phone at 1-800-RED-CROSS by mentioning Cathedral of Hope. 

If you're not eligible to donate, the non-profit Hope & Justice Program, an arm of Cathedral of Hope, will have a petition available to help change the FDA policy. The Red Cross is lobbying for the ban to be reduced to a year as there are now tests available that detect HIV and AIDS in the nation's blood supply.

Cathedral of Hope is located at 5910 Cedar Springs Road in Dallas. Contact the church by phone at 214-351-1901.

 

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Wednesday, 15 August 2012