In light of the recent attack in an Orlando nightclub, local Florida hospitals have been asking for blood donations in order to accommodate for the influx in patients. In the midst of the chaos resulting from the attack, there is an outcry against the FDA's blood donation deferral policy: gay men who have had sex with other men are not allowed to donate blood to help the members of the LGBTQ+ community injured during the attack. The policy is considered discriminatory, and homosexuals have been calling for the FDA to amend this policy to allow gay men to donate blood, regardless of sexual activity.

I agree with those calling for change. According to the FDA, the biggest concern with allowing gay men donate blood is the increased risk of spreading HIV to patients receiving the donated blood. However, it only takes twelve weeks to determine if someone is HIV positive. With this in mind, deferring gay men who have had sex within the past year is pointless because of the speed in which HIV can be detected. Furthermore, after blood is donated, it is not immediately given to the patient who needs it. The blood undergoes further testing to ensure no hazardous diseases that can be transmitted. If this is already happening, then what are the consequences of accepting blood donation from men who have had sex with other men within the past year?

Males of the LGBTQ+ community in Orlando, I hear your call. I hear your calls for change in the FDA's blood donation policy, and I applaud your efforts to encourage other individuals eligible to donate to do so. I understand your frustration, but thank you for your efforts in spreading the word and doing what you can despite the limitations placed on you. Thank you.

As for the victims of the Orlando Massacre, I have no words. Sorrow does not even cover the range of emotions I felt after hearing about this attack. To hear a group of people attacked at a place where they felt safe causes me to be speechless. You were all surely wonderful people, and I send my strength and prayers to your families who miss you dearly. Rest in peace.

I wish we lived in a world where attacks like these never happened. Where peace prevailed over hate. But unfortunately, the world we live in has labels, has hate, has violence, and has ignorance. The only way we can change is to progress as a society, and to overcome this bigotry and become better, so that events like the Orlando Massacre do not happen again and cause more sorrow.

Time will only tell, and this will only happen if each individual chooses to make the change.