Canadian Blood Services Lack Of Accountability In Addressing Anti-Black Homophobia In Blood Donation In CanadaStatement by Dr.OmiSooreDryden:
In light of the federal government’s historic Call to Action and acknowledgment by Prime Minister Trudeau that “systemic racism exists in all institutions,” I must insist that the federal, provincial and territorial ministers of health and Health Canada intervene in this matter immediately, and address what CBS seems unwilling and incapable of doing. The aggressive behaviour of CBS staff members at the April 29 meeting, previous hostility by CBS staff members (as I outline above), and the systemic anti-Black (homophobic) racism of the agency can no longer be overlooked or disregarded. In order to practice anti-racism, one needs to begin with three steps:
As stated in CBS annual report, 2019-2020, “Under bylaws governed by the Canada Not-forprofit Corporations Act, the provincial and territorial ministers of health (except Quebec’s minister) serve as corporate members of Canadian Blood Services and appoint our board of directors. The ministers also collectively approve Canadian Blood Services’ three-year corporate plan and annual budget.” (p66). Therefore, I am specifically requesting the following:
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Welcome to the Got Blood to Give study website!#GotBlood2Give/DuSangÀDonner is a study taking place in Halifax, Montréal, Ottawa and Toronto. The goal of this research study is to examine the barriers to participation in blood donation among African, Caribbean and Black men (males) over the age of 17 (18 in Montréal) who have sex with men (males).
We hope to change and update the current Canadian Blood Services blood donor questionnaire by removing discriminatory barriers. This will facilitate greater participation by African, Caribbean and Black men who have sex with men. Our first goal is to identify the factors that best predict receiving a negative HIV test. We are using a survey to get information on the demographic, health practices and sexual behaviour of African, Caribbean and Black men who have sex with men who live in Halifax, Montréal, Ottawa and Toronto. Those who participate in the survey have the option of taking an HIV test after completing the survey. Anyone who participates in the survey will be asked if they would like to be contacted for the next stages of the project which involves in-depth interviews about the current blood donation questionnaire and reflections on a proposed modified donor questionnaire. Participants will receive recruitment cards and they can invite people in their social networks who meet the eligibility criteria to participate in this study. For more information about the study click the document below to download an in depth information sheet in PDF format.
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Acknowledgement statement:
This research received funding support from Canadian Blood Services (MSM Research Grant Program), funded by the federal government (Health Canada) and the provincial and territorial ministries of health. The views herein do not necessarily reflect the views of Canadian Blood Services or the federal, provincial, or territorial governments of Canada.
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The aim of this project is to improve the Canadian blood donation system. Black, queer and trans communities in Canada face multiple forms of erasure and silencing. In the instance of blood donation, there is an intersectional history of anti-black racism and the current discriminatory blood deferral policy for men who have sex with men. The goal of this project is to create a culturally and gender appropriate donor questionnaire while also maintaining the safety of the blood supply.
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What is Canadian Blood Services?
Canadian Blood Services (CBS) is a not-for-profit charitable organization founded in 1998. CBS manages the blood supply in all provinces and territories of Canada, except Québec (managed by Héma-Québec).
MSM / Gay-Blood Donation Ban:
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