Gay Man Refuses To Give Up Blood

University of Montana Police responded to a report of an altercation in the University Center Wednesday afternoon involving a male individual who had been participating in the blood drive. American Red Cross Representative Julie Brehm says 30 year old Jesse Dwyer refused to give up his donation because he was protesting the FDA’s long standing policy that prohibits blood donations from gay men.

Once the blood has been withdrawn it becomes the property of the Red Cross. Brehm explains what happens to the blood after donation.

The FDA’s policy states that gay men are at an increased risk of infection by HIV that can be transmitted to others by blood transfusion. The American Red Cross has asked the FDA to modify its policy. Critics of the policy say it bars potential healthy donors, despite the increasing need for donated blood, and discriminates against gays. UM Police arrested Dwyer and he was charged with assault, theft and resisting arrest and taken to the Missoula County Jail. Brehm says Red ross workers were not injured in the incident and it is unknown at this time if Dwyer is currently a student at the University.