Posted on 05/16/2014 2:29:16 PM PDT by rickmichaels
VANCOUVER -- A local woman learned that the Canadian Blood Services slogan — “It’s in you to give” — isn’t always true after a clinic would not let her donate blood because she is transgender.
Clayre Sessoms said she gives blood regularly — even since disclosing her transgender status.
During her latest attempt on Wednesday, she said that she was turned away because staff at a downtown Vancouver clinic — where she’s donated before — said they don’t have a policy regarding transgender people.
“There’s just like the process and forms that we have to go through just because it’s not in our criteria,” said a staff member Sessoms identified as “Jennifer” in an audio recording posted to her blog.
Sessoms said she was happy to answer any pertinent medical questions, but didn’t understand why staff asked her whether or not she had the surgery to complete her transition.
She said the blood donor policy on five-year deferral related to gay sex did not apply to her — “I’m a happily married lesbian” — nor did any of the travel restrictions. She said her preliminary hemoglobin test, a prerequisite for donating, showed adequate levels.
In her blog’s audio recording, clinic staff confirmed that the hormones she is taking as part of her transition were not the issue.
“So you’re deferring me because I’m transgender?” Sessoms said on the recording.
“Because we have to get a special form,” said the staffer identified as “Jennifer.”
A representative of Canadian Blood Services said they could not speak about specific donors due to privacy issues.
"I felt very hurt, it's just disgusting," Sessoms said, adding she is contemplating filing a complaint with the BC Human Rights Tribunal.
People interested in listening to the recording of her trip to the clinic can visit her blog at clayresessoms.com/bad-blood.
Although I have given blood many times, not allowed to now because I lived in Britain until 1983.
Mad cow - don't you know!
Pity....I have O-neg blood. - universal donor.
It is not a “her.” It is a disturbed man who removed his genitals.
I had a nice surprise at the local Red Cross this morning — my 10th gallon donation. They gave me a little pin with a 10 on it.
If the Red Cross allows blood donations from homosexuals, I won’t give another pint. And I’ll let them know why.
Contaminated blood donations from homosexuals have killed hundreds of innocents in Europe with HIV aids. No screening is 100% certain, but disallowing blood donations by homosexuals (and for other risk factors) will save innocent lives.
What is “disgusting” is homosexuals who think they should be able to risk contaminating the innocent. It’s positively satanic.
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