Beware My Whining

Blood... it's in you to give.

I'm getting damned tired of hearing this. And not because I'm a cold-hearted bastard. I believe in giving blood and would whole-heartedly encourage people to do so. I only wish that I was allowed to do so myself. I promise this will be a short Soap Box Perch for me and here's hoping that I might even move on to something entertaining before I'm finished posting for the day. But "Did You Know...." that the Canadian Red Cross will not accept blood donations from homosexual men? It matters not, that you're tested regularly for HIV/AIDS (which I'm not, but it wouldn't matter anyhow). It matters not, that you've been in a monogamous sexual relationship for 11 years. It matters not, because of one ugly little question on their behemoth questionnaire that asks if you're a man who has had sex with another man since 1978 (or 76, can't remember the year exactly). If you answer "yes"... Thank you for playing; we have no lovely parting gifts for you. And THEN to add insult to injury, they continue to call you to keep you abreast of each and every blood donor clinic day in your vicinity. Nice huh?

Prejudice is an ugly thing. It really is. Whether under a banner of religion, or fear, or policy, or any other ridiculous form of hate. It's still discriminatory. I have good, clean, blood. And a healthy, (if soft and pudgy) body. But my blood is unwelcome. Perhaps Canadian Blood Services should alter their campaign sell-line to say: "Blood; it's in you to give. ...Unless of course you're a filthy, promiscuous homosexual." They'd probably have church groups lined-up around the block, rolling up their collective sleeves and ready to open up a vein at will if they did. It'd be far more honest than the slap in the face of actually going to a clinic and being turned away. -sigh-

Ah well... as far as I know there are no such discriminating policies associated with being an organ donor, which I am. I'm tempted to start auctioning off parts before then, because God knows I don't feel like a prime specimen, but here's hoping someone gets some good use out of my spleen or kidneys or something else I haven't abused or neglected too much by the time I kick it. If only I could sell abdominal fat by the pound. Or snot for that matter. (sorry, it's at the top of my mind just rising from the misery of a cold) I've got more of that than anyone would ever need or want. There has to be some mass-quantity use for it... like... I dunno... envelope glue (bet that'll make you think twice before you lick your next one).

Anyhow... give blood if you're heterosexual, or a lesbian (no discrimination there thankfully) and sign your donor card if your anything but. No entertainment today it would seem, unless mucous qualifies.

"I Could've Been You" by Melissa Etheridge

Take, take a look at the sky
Sometimes your heaven seems so far away
Take, take a look under here
Where deprivation turns into decay
I've stood under this rain
Felt it seep into my brain
I've shut my eyes and crawled around this mud
I'm scared of growin' old
I shiver when I'm cold
Don't you think I bleed the same blood

I, I could've been you
You could've been me
One small change
that shapes your destiny
If you want the proof
Cut me and you'll see
I could've been you
You could've been me

Wait, wait before you turn off
Maybe there's a chance we can relate
Wait everybody turns on
Why deny a fact that's so innate
It's not so easy anymore
The way you used to keep score
Not so black and white the color of your sin
Take a walk inside my shoes
A path I didn't choose
Spend the night inside of my skin

I, I could've been you
You could've been me
One small change
that shapes your destiny
If you want the proof
Cut me and you'll see
I could've been you
You could've been me

Change is turning into fear
Fear is melting into hate
With hate you justify your crime
A crime compassion can erase
Erase erase

Touch, touch what I feel
And know I believe everything I say
So go, go if you must
Remember one thing as you walk away

I, I could've been you
You could've been me
One small change
that shapes your destiny
If you want the proof
Cut me and you'll see
I could've been you
You could've been me