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LGBT allies rally to donate blood for Orlando victims

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — In honor of World Blood Donor Day, multiple blood drives were held across Indianapolis.

Many of the drives were planned before the Orlando nightclub shooting, but organizers say the massacre shows how quickly a need can develop.

“We have an on-going need for individuals to take action,” said Jason Hinson-Nolen, the president of Indy Pride, which hosted it’s own blood drive in honor of the Orlando victims.  “When you think about human nature, the human spirit when we see other people in need most of the times we want to help, we want to do something. we want to take an action.”

49 people were killed in the Sunday morning shooting at Pulse Nightclub, an LGBT venue. Another 53 were injured.

Under federal guidelines, some of the LGBT group that is so in need of blood now can’t give blood themselves. Gay and bisexual men are unable to donate blood.

“That’s a permanent deferral at this point in time. The FDA came out with new guidelines that we are actively implementing that allows for 12-month deferral for men who have had sex with another man,” said Andrea Fagan of the Indiana Blood Center.

The Indiana Blood Center also held a blood drive Tuesday on Monument Circle where 87 people donated.

“I think it’s an important symbol for the LGBT community and its a step in the right direction but it’s by no means the answer,” said Fagan.

The current FDA guidelines went into effect during the AIDS epidemic of the 1980’s. The FDA argued it was a way to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS through blood transfusions.

The new guidelines don’t go into effect until September, so only straight allies, and lesbian and bisexual woman can give blood until then.

“I may donate just a little bit, but if everyone donates a little bit then it makes a big difference,” said Michael Chettleburgh, while donating blood.

“It is really a great feeling to know that it’s actually being used and you’re really helping people,” said Rachel Noel, who donates regularly.

“Right now is the time to give blood. It definitely triggered that and I mean, I work right up there (in an office above the circle) so there’s no excuse not to come down and give blood,” said Drew Butterworth.

“Just knowing that I’ve done it before and that I saved so many lives already, I just want to continue to save more lives,” said Erica Marks, who has O-negative blood, a universal blood type, and who donates regularly.

“When we take action, when we take action together and we unify, that’s unifying against the hate that caused what happened on Sunday,” said Hinson-Nolen.

Indy Pride is also donating money for the victims of the massacre. Click here for more information.