FabSwingers.com forum: Giving blood

By *emima_puddlefuck OP Couple
over a year ago

hexham

Been sharing and following a campaign to get blood for a very sick little girl and it occurred to me,should/could swingers give blood?

i know and disapprove of the blanket ban on bi and gay men,as it assumes promiscuity,but what about swingers?Surely we are at higher risk than the average person.

Any knowledge or thoughts ?

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By *acktilMan
over a year ago

Tewkesbury

"Been sharing and following a campaign to get blood for a very sick little girl and it occurred to me,should/could swingers give blood?

i know and disapprove of the blanket ban on bi and gay men,as it assumes promiscuity,but what about swingers?Surely we are at higher risk than the average person.

Any knowledge or thoughts ?"

I donate platelets monthly, I always ans the questions honestly. My blood gets checked before being given for every nastie you can think of. Platelet donation controls are far higher than whole blood.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I dont see why not get tested and play safe so cleaner than the next person plus giving blood the blood is tested for everything anyway.

I give blood plus carry a donor card.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I think the alcohol content in my blood would rule me out

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By *emima_puddlefuck OP Couple
over a year ago

hexham

Ty both of u...so swingers can donate.Do they ask about safe sex?

Seems extra unfair to ban gay and bi men then tbh!

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By *emima_puddlefuck OP Couple
over a year ago

hexham

"I think the alcohol content in my blood would rule me out"

It would keep for longer tho!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Ty both of u...so swingers can donate.Do they ask about safe sex?

Seems extra unfair to ban gay and bi men then tbh!"

I totally agree when filling the forms out I am completely honest like gum clinic they have seen it all.

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By *acktilMan
over a year ago

Tewkesbury

"Ty both of u...so swingers can donate.Do they ask about safe sex?

Seems extra unfair to ban gay and bi men then tbh!"

There are no questions that relate to swinging. Just answer all the questions honestly and don't offer anymore information than required. They will gladly take your blood however there is no g'tee it will go to the little girl.

I have no idea as to the gay/bi ban, just ask when you go they will tell you.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

We in my regiment we have the give blood guys come in once a year and most of the lads do give

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Why is there a need to declare one's sexuality if all blood is screened anyway? I'm bi but haven't played with another guy for quite some time, and if I was to give blood and they asked about my sexuality I'd say I was straight tbh. Why should I be honest with them if they are going to be prejudiced against one section of society?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

this is an interesting topic. I gave blood for the first time a few weeks ago. one of my gay male friends said hewasn't allowed to give blood and I thought he was joking until I read my letter from the blood service! I agree that a lot of gay men and swingers are more aware of their sexual health compared to others in the population. I am terrified of needles and I felt sick with nerves before the session but the staff were great and it was nowhere near as bad as I was expecting. I also got to scoff as many club biscuits as I liked!! Ms

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

From the National Blood Service website.

Exclusion of Men who have Sex with Men from Blood Donation.

NHS Blood and Transplant has a duty to ensure a sufficient supply of safe blood for patients in England and North Wales. This includes a clear responsibility to minimise the risk of a blood transfusion transmitting an infection to patients.

Whilst our stringent testing procedures make such transmissions extremely rare, we believe that any transmission is one too many. However, it is also important that the policies which are in place to help protect the safety of the blood supply are based on the best available scientific evidence, reviewed on a regular basis, and explained clearly to the public.

Currently the policy is to ask those in groups shown to have a particularly high risk of carrying blood-borne viruses not to give blood. This includes men who have ever had sex with men, with this exclusion resting on specific sexual behaviour (such as oral or anal sex between men) rather than sexuality. There is, therefore, no exclusion of gay men who have never had sex with a man, nor of women who have sex with women.

The criteria across all of the UK Blood Services for accepting blood donors are regularly reviewed by the Department of Health's Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO).

SaBTO are currently reviewing the evidence base for donor exclusion and deferral in the UK, including criteria which relate to sexual behaviour.

Once the review is complete, SaBTO will make recommendations to the Government as to whether any changes to the current policy are warranted. These recommendations will be based on the best and most up-to-date scientific evidence available.

NHSBT welcomes the review of donor selection criteria by SaBTO, which seeks to maintain current high standards of blood safety whilst ensuring the rules are clear, appropriate, and based on recent evidence.

Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) also supports the review, and has asked people to abide by the current regulations until any further decision is made on the basis of evidence: web address of Terence Higgings Trust deleted by me.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

So bearing all that in mind, can gay/bisexual people have their own blood stored for their own use or not?

It does seem quite unfair that in this particular area prejudice against someone based solely upon their sexuality is not only commonplace but even condoned by the authorities.

The Human Rights Act makes that illegal doesn't it?

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By *irtyGirlWoman
over a year ago

Edinburgh

Last time I went they asked if I had sex with bisexual men. I said yes. That put me in the group they'd rather not have. I don't believe in telling lies so I no longer give blood. I disagree with it but I don't make the rules and apparently they know best. No account was taken of my sexual health and the fact that I practice safe sex and have regular tests.

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By *umpkinMan
over a year ago

near the sounds of the wimborne quarter jack!

"I think the alcohol content in my blood would rule me out"

You have blood in our alchohol?

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By *umpkinMan
over a year ago

near the sounds of the wimborne quarter jack!

Sadly, because of the drugs I`m on for my dicky tickuuur I cannot donate. I can`t even be named as a body parts donor after death

But if the tests are as good as they should be and people are honest at what they get up to I see no reason for refusing what is a very valuable commodity.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I do - every 4 months, when the Blood Service manages not to fuck up and forget to remind me, or phone me back following a query that is .

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By *emima_puddlefuck OP Couple
over a year ago

hexham

Thanks for all your comments, i cannot give blood i have since discovered cos i have a recent tattoo,again a rule that seems based on assumptions rather than facts.

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By *iamondsmiles.Woman
over a year ago

little house on the praire

Im not sure why swingers would be more at risk. Not all swingers play all the while and i know for a fact the ones that go to the pub will probley have more sex with one night stands than i would. Anyone who has unprotected sex is at risk and those that have protected sex are less at risk. Unfortunatly i cant give blood for medical reasons and it upsets me as onl 8% have my blood group

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By *emima_puddlefuck OP Couple
over a year ago

hexham

i agree totally,but they ask if u have had sex with a bi man,not whether u had protected sex,it all seems rather prejudiced.Unless someone has some evidence as to why they discriminate.

i am glad they are having the review AV mentioned

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By *iamondsmiles.Woman
over a year ago

little house on the praire

"i agree totally,but they ask if u have had sex with a bi man,not whether u had protected sex,it all seems rather prejudiced.Unless someone has some evidence as to why they discriminate.

i am glad they are having the review AV mentioned"

Do they ask everyone if they have had sex with a bi man or just swingers

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By *emima_puddlefuck OP Couple
over a year ago

hexham

"i agree totally,but they ask if u have had sex with a bi man,not whether u had protected sex,it all seems rather prejudiced.Unless someone has some evidence as to why they discriminate.

i am glad they are having the review AV mentioned

Do they ask everyone if they have had sex with a bi man or just swingers"

Everone,which is what i find odd,cos kev is bi,but dont do anal,he doesnt like it ,well except with me!

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By *ue care and attentionWoman
over a year ago

birmingham

15 years ago before I had my daughter I used to donate plasma every month. I went regular as clockwork and knew all the staff there.

When I had my daughter I had to have a blood transfusion and have since then not been allowed to give blood or plasma as it was around the same time that mad cow desease was about (ok no jokes please, I already know I'm a mad cow! lol)

I have checked with them several times since to see if I can donate but they still don't have adequate screening to test the blood for mad cow desease. They have lost hundreds of donations from me because of this.

If there are others in the same boat as me surely it would be more effective to develope adequate screening?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I donate platelets monthly, I always ans the questions honestly. My blood gets checked before being given for every nastie you can think of. Platelet donation controls are far higher than whole blood."

I have always given whole blood, but poster is right, there are checks for everything anyway.

Besides, I always swing safe and get tested every three months to confirm my cleanliness anyway......

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I don't give blood and don't believe in giving it.

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By *emima_puddlefuck OP Couple
over a year ago

hexham

"I don't give blood and don't believe in giving it. "

May i ask,why is it for religious reasons?

Im just nosey feel free not to answer!

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By *emima_puddlefuck OP Couple
over a year ago

hexham

I have always given whole blood, but poster is right, there are checks for everything anyway.

Besides, I always swing safe and get tested every three months to confirm my cleanliness anyway......"

Same here,but that does not seem relevant to them.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I don't give blood and don't believe in giving it.

May i ask,why is it for religious reasons?

Im just nosey feel free not to answer!"

Nope, not religious, I don't like the thought of giving my blood.

It's not a thing where I WANT someone to die who could need my blood.

I just have this strange urk with giving my blood. It's my blood, I don't want any one else's.

Also the fact I've felt like this for aslong as I can remember, and I've been branded a bad person because I don't want too, which is, in my opinion, a load of bullshit!

I am not a bad person for having an opinion, there is a choice, and i choose no!

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By *irtyGirlWoman
over a year ago

Edinburgh

"i agree totally,but they ask if u have had sex with a bi man,not whether u had protected sex,it all seems rather prejudiced.Unless someone has some evidence as to why they discriminate.

And this is pretty much why I don't give blood any more. It pisses me off when they moan on adverts on our local radio that they're desperate for blood donors... clearly not desperate enough cause they're turning away perfectly willing and able donors.

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By *emima_puddlefuck OP Couple
over a year ago

hexham

"I don't give blood and don't believe in giving it.

May i ask,why is it for religious reasons?

Im just nosey feel free not to answer!

Nope, not religious, I don't like the thought of giving my blood.

It's not a thing where I WANT someone to die who could need my blood.

I just have this strange urk with giving my blood. It's my blood, I don't want any one else's.

Also the fact I've felt like this for aslong as I can remember, and I've been branded a bad person because I don't want too, which is, in my opinion, a load of bullshit!

I am not a bad person for having an opinion, there is a choice, and i choose no! "

Totally,for the longest time,kev,the kindest most well adjusted man ever would not tick the eyes bit of the donor card,his choice.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I don't give blood and don't believe in giving it.

May i ask,why is it for religious reasons?

Im just nosey feel free not to answer!

Nope, not religious, I don't like the thought of giving my blood.

It's not a thing where I WANT someone to die who could need my blood.

I just have this strange urk with giving my blood. It's my blood, I don't want any one else's.

Also the fact I've felt like this for aslong as I can remember, and I've been branded a bad person because I don't want too, which is, in my opinion, a load of bullshit!

I am not a bad person for having an opinion, there is a choice, and i choose no!

Totally,for the longest time,kev,the kindest most well adjusted man ever would not tick the eyes bit of the donor card,his choice."

But why am I branded (not by people on here, yet) For actively choosing, and proudly stating, I do not want to give blood?

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By *isscheekychopsWoman
over a year ago

The land of grey peas and bacon

[Removed by poster at 08/06/11 22:46:45]

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By *isscheekychopsWoman
over a year ago

The land of grey peas and bacon

"I don't give blood and don't believe in giving it.

May i ask,why is it for religious reasons?

Im just nosey feel free not to answer!

Nope, not religious, I don't like the thought of giving my blood.

It's not a thing where I WANT someone to die who could need my blood.

I just have this strange urk with giving my blood. It's my blood, I don't want any one else's.

Also the fact I've felt like this for aslong as I can remember, and I've been branded a bad person because I don't want too, which is, in my opinion, a load of bullshit!

I am not a bad person for having an opinion, there is a choice, and i choose no!

Totally,for the longest time,kev,the kindest most well adjusted man ever would not tick the eyes bit of the donor card,his choice.

But why am I branded (not by people on here, yet) For actively choosing, and proudly stating, I do not want to give blood? "

Its your choice what you want to do.. if you don't want to you don't have to...

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

It's your blood so you have every right to do what you want. I didn't donate blood for 31 years despite my dad being o negative so I might have been too but I was just so shit scared of needles. It's supposed to be a free world isn't it. Ms

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By *abioMan
over a year ago

Newcastle and Gateshead

But why am I branded (not by people on here, yet) For actively choosing, and proudly stating, I do not want to give blood? "

I see what you are saying, its a tough one for me... because if everyone had the same attitude then we would have no blood transfusions, no one would be treated for many conditions, and many more people would die

However.. I would be tempted to ask people when they turned 18, if they would give blood, if they said no, then the consequence of that action would be you would not be allowed to receive ... but that would be way too controversial....

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By *emima_puddlefuck OP Couple
over a year ago

hexham

But why am I branded (not by people on here, yet) For actively choosing, and proudly stating, I do not want to give blood?

But what about the people who would give blood but cant,like me are we excluded too?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"i agree totally,but they ask if u have had sex with a bi man,not whether u had protected sex,it all seems rather prejudiced.Unless someone has some evidence as to why they discriminate.

i am glad they are having the review AV mentioned

Do they ask everyone if they have had sex with a bi man or just swingers"

As I recall it's a double sided A4 form which everyone, even repeat donors, has to complete.

Anyone can, of course, choose to lie to the National Blood Service in order to be allowed to donate blood but I cannot for the life of me imagine why anyone would want to do so.

A free cuppa and a bikky seems a small reward for such anti social behaviour.

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By *abioMan
over a year ago

Newcastle and Gateshead

But what about the people who would give blood but cant,like me are we excluded too?"

no.... i think that if you medically healthy then you should give, I don't you can't force people to give but why not make there a consequence for those who don't..

I don't know.. sounded good in my head.. idea for the greater good....

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I felt a bit faint after I'd given blood as a result of the pent up anxiety and release of adrenalin. There was a really hot young guy on the couch next to me so I was hoping he'd come to the rescue of a damsel in distress and loosen my clothing

sadly he just looked at me like I'd just plopped out of a dogs bottom lol ms

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

But what about the people who would give blood but cant,like me are we excluded too?

no.... i think that if you medically healthy then you should give, I don't you can't force people to give but why not make there a consequence for those who don't..

I don't know.. sounded good in my head.. idea for the greater good...."

Nah, it has to be a wholly altruistic gesture (like organ donation).

Any attempt to introduce sanctions for non-donation would inevitably lead to calls for payment for donation and that way lies damnation.

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By *ara JTV/TS
over a year ago

Bristol East

I understand that anal sex carries a higher risk of cross infection.

But what's the difference in risk between a man who has anal sex with a woman, and a man who has anal sex with a man?

Might it be wiser to exclude people who engage in anal sex, regardless of their sexuality.

Unless the restriction derives from a perception of greater promiscuity among gay and bi men, in which case it's a bit silly, as a site like this proves.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

i have always wanted to give blood but with a fear of needles i had always wimped out

feeling quite ashamed of my fear i finally decided to suck it up and go especially as our youngest son had been a few times and done it it shamed me into going

so i trotted off down to the village hall with our son he went off to give his blood whilst they did my interview as a first timer well i was gob smaked to find out i couldn't give it as i sleep with bi guys in fact i was fuming that a whole section of society are excluded in this way and told her in no uncertain terms how disgusted i was

i huffed over to my son who was in mid flow of his donation and he looked bemused as to why i wasn't giving blood and asked what had stopped me

eeek how do i turn round and say i can't son cause ya dad sucks cock

luckily i had had an operation a few months before and made out to him this was the reason, i think i got away with it

whilst we were in there i saw a guy giving blood that i know for fact is gay so he must lie to them but he is as camp as christmas so it must befuddle them each time he goes

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

In one sense, the blood service really annoy me, the organisation (for donations anyway) seems a bit sloppy and I'm sure they lose lots of donations on account of their haphazard administration.

Oh numerous occasions I've been missed off the list when the invitations to donate are due to come out so I've had to chase them to see when I'm due. The last time (last week) I was due to go but was on some meds from my GP, I phoned them and asked if I was ok to donate and was told that I'd be called back in the morning, so I stressed to call me on my mobile and what did they do ? called me at home when I was at work and left a voicemail. By the time I'd gotton home and realised there was a message the advice line was closed

We've all seen the adverts on tv of how they are 'desperate' and how blood stocks are low, but if my experience is indicitive of their general administrative efficiency it's no suprise that the stocks are low

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I'd love to be able to donate blood but can't as I'm on long-term medication for a medical condition. Fair enough. However, I sleep with bi-guys too so would be excluded on those grounds, which is ridiculous.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I understand that anal sex carries a higher risk of cross infection.

But what's the difference in risk between a man who has anal sex with a woman, and a man who has anal sex with a man?

Might it be wiser to exclude people who engage in anal sex, regardless of their sexuality.

Unless the restriction derives from a perception of greater promiscuity among gay and bi men, in which case it's a bit silly, as a site like this proves.

That's a view worth contributing to the review mentioned in the piece of text I quoted above.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"i have always wanted to give blood but with a fear of needles i had always wimped out

feeling quite ashamed of my fear i finally decided to suck it up and go especially as our youngest son had been a few times and done it it shamed me into going

i huffed over to my son who was in mid flow of his donation and he looked bemused as to why i wasn't giving blood and asked what had stopped me

eeek how do i turn round and say i can't son cause ya dad sucks cock

luckily i had had an operation a few months before and made out to him this was the reason, i think i got away with it

whilst we were in there i saw a guy giving blood that i know for fact is gay so he must lie to them but he is as camp as christmas so it must befuddle them each time he goes

I'm sure the exclusions are a hang-over from the contaminated blood products business in the early 80s.

It cost a lot of governments a lot of money in compensation and I can well see why none of the would want to take what they believe to be a risk. They may be right. They may be wrong.

As for the gay/ camp donor - I suspect blood donation staff simply discard the donation of anyone they suspect might not be being entirely honest with them.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"gay men who have never had sex with a man"

*tries not to be judgemental but...erm...is it just a love of musical theatre and interior design?*

I've noticed a very worrying habit with meets of me having to stop them and tell them to put a condom on and them being certain they're clean. Where I've been doesn't seem to occur to them. So they must've been like that with wherever they'd been. Lovely.

Based purely on my experience, if I was writing the rules I'd make all men get tested.