Gay men aren't the only people officially discouraged from donating organs since Health Canada quietly enacted its controversial policy last December. Sex workers, prisoners and IV drug users are also subject to the ban.
But you'd never know about these prohibited groups from the flood of mainstream-media headlines. "Sexually active gay men no longer allowed to donate organs," said CBC.ca when the story broke on Jan 7 and most queer press coverage has barely mentioned other affected communities.
Conversations among gay men have been characterized by anger and a sense of righteous indignation over a policy most consider problematic. But sometimes the discussions have a subtle subtext: "Just because I'm gay doesn't mean I automatically have AIDS. I'm not like the irresponsible gay men who get HIV. And why am I being lumped in with whores, druggies and junkies?"
University of Toronto student Lawrence Lucas started an online petition supporting the right of sexually active gay men to donate organs. Endorsed by Egale Canada and promoted via social networking site Facebook, the petition has garnered more than 3,000 signatures. Many signatories decry any association between gay men and others targeted by the policy. Unifying against the organ ban
Xtra.ca, Canada
