San Jose State University Bans Blood Donation Discrimination

"I am suspending all blood drives at San José State University on the grounds that the U.S. Federal Drug Administration’s lifetime blood donor deferral affecting gay men violates our non-discrimination policy... which says "discrimination of any kind, including … sexual orientation is an affront to the entire university community and is strictly prohibited." I am troubled the FDA has not...made progress with additional research, nor disclosed if and/or when ]they] will vote again on the deferral for men who have sex with other men. Our purpose is to respect our policy of non-discrimination and the climate that the policy is intended to create on our campus... Lacking further action by the FDA, we are guided by the clear mandates of our non-discrimination policy. Our hope is that the FDA will revisit its deferral policy in a timely manner and we may soon be able to hold blood drives on this campus again." Don W. Kassing, President, San José State University, January 29, 2008

Al Gore Opposes Discrimination

"I think it’s wrong for the government to discriminate against people because of that person’s sexual orientation. I think that gay men and women ought to have the same rights as heterosexual men and women - to make contracts, to have hospital visiting rights, to join together in marriage, and I don’t understand why it is considered by some people to be a threat to heterosexual marriage to allow it by gays and lesbians. Shouldn’t we be promoting the kind of faithfulness and loyalty to one’s partner regardless of sexual orientation? ...And the loyalty and love that two people feel for one another when they fall in love ought to be celebrated and encouraged and shouldn’t be prevented by any form of discrimination in the law.” Al Gore, January 17, 2008