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Man Prevented From Giving Blood Because He Looks Gay 

Man Prevented From Giving Blood Because He Looks Gay 

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An Indiana man said he was denied the opportunity to donate blood because he looks gay.

Aaron Pace, 22, of Gary, Ind., said he went to Bio-Blood Components Inc., which pays for both blood and plasma donations. During the screening process, he was told he could not donate blood because he "appears to be a homosexual," according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

"I was humiliated and embarrassed," he said. "It's not right that homeless people can give blood but homosexuals can't. And I'm not even a homosexual."

For nearly 30 years, men who have had sex with men at any point since 1977 have been barred from donating blood, due to a supposed risk of transmitting HIV. While all donated blood is now tested for HIV, syphilis, forms of hepatitis, and other diseases, the ban still stays in place.

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