The Wilton Manors City Commission approved a resolution 4-0 to support a letter sent by Senator John Kerry and over a dozen other Senators that would lift the lifetime ban on gay men from being able to donate blood. Wilton Manors City Resolution No. 3546 would show unequivocal support for the letter urging the Food and Drug Administration to review and modify the current discriminatory law that bans gay men in America from donating blood.

All donated blood is mandated to be tested for HIV with two different, highly accurate tests. Between these two tests, the risk of tainted blood entering the blood supply undetected is virtually zero.

“Hospitals and emergency rooms are in urgent need of blood products, and in 2006 the American Red Cross, America’s Blood Centers and the American Association of Blood Banks reported that the ban is medically and scientifically unwarranted,” said Wilton Manors Vice Manor Justin Flippen.

In Miami Beach the city commission has passed a resolution supporting the United American Families Act, which would permit gay life partners from other countries to petition for permanent residency in the United States.The resolution passed unanimously at the April 14 meeting.The resolution specifically calls on U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson and George LeMieux and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, to publicly support the United American Families Act. Neither resolution is binding, but instead is more symbolic so state lawmakers know how the individual cities feel about certain issues. ––BK