South Miami GLBTQ welcoming congregation advocates for overturning ban and works to increase donations from eligible donors

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami, 7701 SW 76th Avenue in South Miami, will hold a community-wide "Banned4Life" blood drive on Sunday, August 25th from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The congregation has hosted OneBlood donation drives on our campus for several years, but recently examined how the FDA's ban that indefinitely bans any man who has had sex with a man at any time since 1977 from donating blood is in opposition to the Unitarian Universalist Association's principles and commitment to speak out when the rights and dignity of LGBTQ people are at stake.

Members decided to continue hosting drives as an opportunity to raise awareness of local and national efforts to end the FDA's outdated and discriminatory ban, advocate for overturning the ban, and increase donations by inviting eligible donors to give blood in honor of a gay man who cannot.

The congregation is partnering with Banned4Life, a national advocacy group based in Orlando working to raise awareness about the FDA policy and promote the importance of donating blood by encouraging eligible donors to donate blood in place of those who are Banned4Life.

Blake Lynch, one of Banned4Life's co-founders, explains, "Only 38% of the population is eligible to donate blood. Of that minority, less than 10% donate.  Our program is designed to include everyone, eligible or not, to participate in the lifesaving process. The current blood donation system ignores the 62% who are banned from donating by the FDA. The American majority are excluded just because they themselves cannot, or are not allowed, to physically donate.  But what if we created the tools that allowed them to be a part of the process?  What if we created a system that rewarded them for participating too?  Strength in numbers will not only create a more adequate blood supply, but a stronger sense of community as well."

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami is reaching out to our interfaith neighbors and inviting other churches' members to come by after service to donate and receive a free lunch for doing so. All community members are welcome and are encouraged to donate in honor of a gay man who cannot. Banned4Life will distribute educational materials and a petition to sign to show support for ending the ban.

The congregation is also partnering with additional South Florida LGBTQ organizations, including SAVE Dade and Unity Coalition, to maximize efforts to advocate for changing the FDA policy.