The federal Hate Crimes legislation that finally recognizes crimes of violence based on sexual orientation is a landmark of its kind. For decades legislators have been trying to get that passed, only to be roadblocked by some conservative "Christian" who doesn't believe that we have rights too. In fact, when this most recent version was proposed, Rep. Virgina Foxx (R-North Carolina) stated on the House floor that the whole Matthew Shepard story was "a hoax" and should not be used as the basis for any hate crime bill. Well, Virginia, lucky for us you were derided in a national chorus of boos and you apologized for your "poor choice of words." There will be one big sour pickle in your stocking this Christmas, I am sure of it.
And the end of the 20 year ban on gay men giving blood because of the possibility of HIV contamination is simply applying common sense to an issue that was prompted and led by hatred, fear, and homophobia. Everyone knows that more straight people have HIV than LBTQs, and yet they are not prohibited from giving blood -- because all donated blood is tested for the HIV antibodies before it goes into the blood bank system. Why were gay men excluded all these years? Because they had gay blood, that's why. At least that is the only thing I can think of, since gay blood can be tested just as easily as straight blood. Face facts: blood does not have a sexual orientation, and after 20 years of lost possibilities for saving lives this blatantly homophobic and discriminatory ban has been lifted.
Makes one proud to be an American, doesn't it. Well, we're getting there.
