Members of PRISM, South Complex's lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender and straight alliance group, are concerned with the "I Stop Hate: MSU United" campaign for planning to donate a share of the proceeds from its Charity Walk on Sunday to the American Red Cross.
PRISM member John Herbst said the American Red Cross discriminates against homosexual men.
According to its Web site, the American Red Cross warns donors "should not give blood if you have AIDS or have ever had a positive HIV test, or if you have done something that puts you at risk for becoming infected with HIV."
It also specifies: "You are at risk for getting infected if you … are a male who has had sexual contact with another male, even once, since 1977."
"Since the American Red Cross does discriminate against people who would like to donate blood, we don't feel that's a suitable organization to donate to, coming from the 'I Stop Hate' campaign," Herbst said.
Ann Kammerer, the American Red Cross' Great Lakes Region Blood Service Center spokeswoman, said the guideline applies to the "entire blood-banking community."
"It's not a Red Cross policy," she said. "It's based on criteria stipulated by the Food and Drug Administration. It's a policy that is currently under review."
Kammerer said since the policy was put in place, what are seen as risks in blood donation have changed and the methods needed to prevent transmitting diseases, such as HIV, have improved.
"We are in support of the community's position that men who have sexual relations with each other is warranted, and we're looking to moderate that donor criteria," she said.
"But we're obligated to follow all FDA guidelines within the blood industry."
Lauren Beach, of the MSU Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives, said she hadn't heard of PRISM's concern and was surprised, since it helped plan the Charity Walk.
"We wanted some name recognition that people would feel comfortable with, that would help represent the values of 'I Stop Hate' and help people in need," she said.
"We saw that as connecting strongly to MSU's vision of being a local university with global visions."
All donations and sponsorship from the walk will go to the American Red Cross and the MSU Student Food Bank.
The walk will begin at 10 a.m. Sunday at the Auditorium, with registration at 9 a.m.
