Wednesday, August 31, 2005

A Humanitarian Issue?

hmmmmm...

I'm reading a number of blogs (I won't say which ones) written by gay men that are writing about Katrina and the castastrophe in 4 states.

These particular blogs run along the lines of:

>> I will NOT donate anything to The American Red Cross because they are anti-gay. They must be anti-gay because their policy is to never accept blood donations from gays and lesbians.

>> I will NOT donate relief money or volunteer my time for Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama or Florida because those states don't allow same-sex marriage. They don't accept me as God made me, so fu*k them.

Any thoughts?

11 comments:

Phil said...

When I'm selfish and stone-hearted, I try not to be self-righteous about it. I don't always succeed, but I try.

GodlessMom said...

I understand where that sentiment comes from. It is difficult to help people when you are all but certain that they wouldn't help you if the situation were reversed. However, I've always thought that when one is a member of a minority group which regularly experiences prejudice, extra effort must be made to rise above the fray and do what is right as a human being.

It isn't fair that some people have to try harder just to prove themselves but it is reality. It's a lead by example kind of thing.

Excellent post. Thank you.

Lucy Stern said...

Too bad they don't see that this is not a gay or straight issue. It is an issue of human suffering. I'm sure that there were gay people in New Orleans who could use help too. My mom used to say, "Don't cut your nose off to spite your face." I like to think that I go by the old addage, "Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you."

Jake McCafferty said...

First, the obvious stupidity almost led me to not even comment. But as a former resident of the place, I can't hold back.

1. New Orleans is an incredibly gay-friendly city. If you're white and living in the city limits, odds are 50-50 that you're gay. Or your boyfriend is.

2. Because of the hospitality-based economies of both New Orleans and Biloxi, both cities attract a large number of gay people from across the South.

3. I could point out that the Red Cross also refuses to take blood from others who are considered high-risk donors. However, they will take money from anyone. This argument only makes sense if the Red Cross refused to GIVE gay people blood.

4. Phil hits the nail on the head. It's just an excuse to be a prick.

5. Does anyone not remember the huge outpouring of support from the South following 9/11? We could have easily said, "F*ck those Yankees; they invaded us a long time ago." No, instead, we recognized we're all Americans -- and when Americans need help, hell when the rest of the world needs help, we open our hearts and wallets. That's why the South is a special place.

Lee said...

Although I can understand where those people are coming from, I do NOT agree with it. Yeah, the Red Cross is stupid about the "no blood from gay men" policy and how many of people in those states voted or feel about s.s. marriage, I think it's petty to hold it against them in a situation like the Katrina aftermath. Not everyone affected hates gay people! And a bit of compassion maybe be a nice thing and can go a long way!

Unknown said...

Well I plead guilty. Maybe I should "rise above the fray", but I hold a grudge. Sorry for being honest.

I feel terrible for what happened to these people. I really do.

But I'll donate to other charities. I'm not going to give money to organization that will end up taking the money to discriminate me elsewhere (i.e. the Red Cross). Besides, the U.S. government will end up paying for the whole cleanup effort.

As for the Red Cross, I'd donate blood if they would let me, but alas, they will not.

Todd HellsKitchen said...

There are plenty of other charities to donate to.... Everyone is entitled to give/or not give to anyONE or any organization.

Personally, I don't blame the Red Cross for the blood policy, I blame the Feds...

Now the Salvation Army and their homophobic policies... I'd choose to donate my $$$ elsewhere.

Cheers,

Mr. H.K.
Postcards from Hell's Kitchen
And I Quote Blog

Unknown said...

Well I'm glad someone found a good gay foundation to donate to.

http://www.rainbowfund.org/

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