Are you willing to contract HIV to prove how “tolerant” you are? If the FDA repeals its blood bank policy, you may not have a choice. At a meeting of the Food and Drug Administration this morning, liberal activists went for the jugular in their latest push to overturn its ban on blood donations from those who engage in risky sexual behavior. The debate, which seems to resurface every year at the FDA and HHS, refuses to die – even though people could with radical changes to the government’s 30-year-ban.

This time around, homosexual groups are more confident than ever that the administration will roll back the prohibition, despite the increased risks it poses to the U.S. population. As FRC’s Peter Sprigg testified at today’s meeting, “Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men represent approximately 2% of the United States population, yet … in 2010, gay and bisexual men accounted for 63% of estimated new HIV infections in the United States and 78% of infections among all newly infected men.”

The FDA created the rule – not out of prejudice, but precaution. Now, a growing chorus of liberals is insisting that federal agencies should ignore the risks so that homosexuals feel “more accepted” in society. In other words, the Left is willing to taint the U.S. blood banks to make a political point. If the FDA wants to protect people’s health, it has to be selective. The government can’t afford to contaminate the blood supply just to validate people’s risky sexual behavior.

Not to mention, Peter points out, that the very small size of the LGBT population (2.3% according to this year’s CDC survey) means that any potential benefits to the blood bank would be “marginal.” In fact, the only thing they would add with 100% certainty is liability. Yet every year, the government wastes taxpayers’ time and money debating what is nothing but a naked push to normalize and celebrate homosexual behavior. The blood donation policy doesn’t exist to serve a political agenda – and it shouldn’t be changed to advance one. Even if the new screening can detect virtually all tainted blood, no test is completely safe. And the government shouldn’t be willing to risk America’s blood supply to prove it. To listen to Peter Sprigg’s testimony from earlier today, click here.

Fireman’s Reputation Torched in Book Dispute

Atlanta’s Kelvin Cochran may be a fireman, but he’s not fireproof, as the latest controversy shows. Despite a long and distinguished career (including a stint as the U.S. Fire Administrator), Chief Cochran is at the center of an explosive debate over free speech on the job after the city suspended him for allegedly handing out copies of a book he wrote and self-published on biblical morality.

Atlanta officials claim Cochran somehow violated workplace policy by openly discussing his Christian views on sexuality. In the book, Who Told You That You Are Naked?, Cochran explains the nature of sin, which affects us all. Included in the book is an unapologetic description of homosexuality as “perversion” – a reference Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed took personal offense to. “I profoundly disagree with and am deeply disturbed by the sentiments expressed in the paperback regarding the LGBT community. I will not tolerate discrimination of any kind within my administration.”

In addition to being suspended, Cochran has to forfeit a month’s worth of pay and undergo “sensitivity training.” Although the section of the book dealing with homosexuality was only one part of the discussion, it was the sole focus of the city’s inquiry. While a number of public interest law firms are reviewing Cochran’s legal options, the immediate effect is clear: a further stripping of Christian faith from the public square.

Obviously, Mayor Reed’s message is that city employees have to check their beliefs – and specifically, their religious beliefs – at the door of public service. And it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see where this persecution will lead: to a country where no evidence of biblical morality will be tolerated. Christians who want to serve in a public capacity will have to go underground spiritually – or steer clear of those careers altogether. The fallout would be disastrous.

With the government assuming more and more power, do we really want police officers, prosecutors, and even firemen who have no moral foundation to be the guardians of justice? Trust me. We haven’t seen the level of scandal, corruption, and political abuse that would follow such a purge.

And how is Mayor Reed building his case? On the city’s special rights ordinance – the same type of measure that led to the subpoena of Houston pastors, the prosecution of Colorado bakers, and the joblessness of California photographers. If the people don’t stand up and demand their First Amendment rights, this fire chief won’t be the only one having his career extinguished because he believes in biblical morality.

Arkansas Pastors Stand up – and Speak out!

Fifty pastors gathered in Fayetteville, Arkansas this morning for a briefing on how they can effectively address important social issues facing their churches and communities. A main topic of discussion was the City’s new special rights law – the 119 ordinance.

While supporters of this ordinance say it’s only meant to address “discrimination” in areas like housing and employment issues, the actual wording of the law reveals that it will go much further. This controversial ordinance elevates sexual orientation and gender identity to the level of being a “civil right” and even goes so far that it gives these new classes more rights or special privileges than those for race, gender, or religion.

Among other things, it would allow males who claim to be transgender to enter gender-sensitive areas such as women’s bathrooms, locker rooms and overnight shelters. Churches could face criminal prosecution for refusing to hire against their religious beliefs for positions deemed “secular” like a church secretary, receptionist, and bookkeeper, and it adds a cumbersome and dangerous new regulation for local businesses. Recognizing this, groups like the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce have come out in support of repealing this law citing 33 different problems they found with it.

At the briefing, Dr. Kenyn Cureton, FRC’s Vice President of Church Ministries, discussed the importance of standing together and being a clear voice as people of faith work together to address this matter. After the briefing, the pastors and speakers hosted a press conference to urge the citizens of Fayetteville to take a stand for their community and repeal 119 during the special election coming up December 9th. For more information on the ordinance, visit repeal119.com.

This is a publication of the Family Research Council. Mr. Perkins is president of FRC.