giving blood

[lobolance]

I gave blood at the Red Cross on Saturday. For the first time, at the start of the questions, I was asked 'were you born biologically male or female?'. The admin clearly thought I was joking when she heard the answer. But I wasn't. As a note, I'm rather used to lying about who I have sex with, but, as usual, I didn't think to lie when asked a new direct question (I don't do much off-the-cuff lying ;-) ).

So, clueless what to do, the admin got her supervisor (who was a really cool person) who called their off-site supervisor after much debating of tactics (they did want to ensure my privacy). She came back with the info that I had to be entered as female (after years donating as male!) in order for the 'correct' questions to be had.

However, the upper supervisor personally guaranteed he would call whomever and get some kinda note made so no 'mistakes' would be made. I was already clear with myself that I would walk out and never come back if I had to deal with gender confusion from some telemarketer in the future on account of this. Of course, I can always just add lying about my birth sex to my standard answers to their questions (should I donate again). It's all rather tiresome.

With some misgivings, I agreed to go forward. ... I have rather rare blood, and it's useful for me to donate, as like many transmen, my red blood cell count can get a little high.

So, we'll see what happens next time I get called to donate blood.

I find I remain really rather angry. I worked so hard to get all 'f's removed from legal papers, and here one is again, entirely needlessly.

At least I had a good conversation with the local supervisor about how poor and unscientific much of their screening process is. And I really will call her (as well as the upper supervisor) if I have any problems (in order to say what happened and to take me off their call list).

It's worth noting that they had to ask the bio question... and had no plan for dealing with the answer!

Comments

[feri-hearted.livejournal.com]

OMFG!!!!!!!!! the AIDS epidemic is what 30 years old almost and medical technology has come a long way. And honestly new diagnoses come more from people whose partners were not honest then from people engaging in risky behaviors. And a general have you been pregnant recently would suffice. It smacks of all different kinds of sexism to me. It would be easier to put a sign on the door and say only people who have had straight sex their entire lives and have been monogamous long term and know 100% that their partner has also been monogamous long term need apply.

[lobolance.livejournal.com]

yep. you got it. obnoxious as hell. I was pleased to find the on site supervisor felt the same way, not that that made any difference. idjits.