HALIFAX--On National Blood Donor Day, Halifax area students used side-walk chalk to draw attention to a discriminatory life-time ban placed on blood donation from men who have had sex with another man by Canadian Blood Services (CBS).

"The lifetime deferral that bans gay men from donating blood is an out-dated discriminatory policy that needs to be repealed," said Elise Graham, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students-Nova Scotia. "The policy is based on stereotypes about the gay community that do not protect the Canadian blood supply."

The action was in response to a call out from Canadian Blood Services for students to chalk messages throughout the downtown to encourage people to donate. Organizations including the Canadian Federation of Students, Egale Canada and Canadian AIDS Society have publicly called on Canadian Blood Services to end the ban, which was introduced in 1985. The ban has foolishly remained in place even during periods when Canadian Blood Services has been forced to ration blood shipments to hospitals.

"The current ban doesn't take into consideration if the donor practices safe sex or even if they are in a long-term monogamous relationship," said Graham. "Screening procedures should be based on behaviors that are proven to be high-risk and consistent for queer and heterosexual donors."

This year the Canadian Federation of Students voted to launch a campaign to end the ban that includes post cards, posters and buttons. For more information on the ban or the campaign visit www.cfs-fcee.ca/endtheban/.