Voicemail (September 6, 2007)

I just finished reading [Tony Murchison’s Aug. 23] commentary, and I must say I whole-heartedly agree! I am all too familiar with the importance of blood/marrow donation, and these discriminatory restrictions are asinine.

In 1997, my mother (who was a lesbian) was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer; her prognosis was she had a year and a half to live. She learned about the bone marrow/stem cell treatment offered at Thompson Cancer Center and moved here to Knoxville from Albuquerque, N.M. That treatment gave her an additional six years, for which I am eternally grateful. During those precious years, my mother and I traveled and spent time together that we otherwise would not have had. She passed away on Oct. 28, 2003.

In her memory, I try to donate blood as often as I can, and I’m also a member of the marrow donor network. As a straight woman, this is easy for me, and I’m grateful to be able to give others the same opportunity for extended, healthy life in the face of disease and injury. I think it is outrageous that people who can offer such life-saving gifts are turned away on the sole basis of their sexual orientation.

This is just one more archaic excuse to alienate homosexuals on a list that goes on ad nauseum. Thank you for shining a spotlight on this important issue; hopefully by raising awareness and protest, we can finally banish these foolish restrictions.

I am a politically active, gay medical professional. I read [Tony Murchison’s Aug. 23 column] and agree that blood bank donor-screening seems more political than scientific in its exclusion of homosexual males versus other sexually active people.

However, I would like to point out that donor-screening is regulated and controlled by the F.D.A. Therefore, the blame for the exclusionary policy against homosexual men should be placed higher up the political chain than at the feet of our local companies.

Aaaacckk! A Back-to-School Survival Guide and no mention, in your South Knoxville section, of The Book Eddy on Chapman Highway? For any hardcore bibliophile who likes to browse the stacks, The Book Eddy is a real treasure, an authentic atmospheric bookshop with shabby smarts. It has a great selection in all genres, boasts two full-time shop cats, and has such a cool Dickensian interior, it puts that other used bookstore with the Wal-Mart feel to shame. You should give The Book Eddy a free ad for such an oversight.

My friends and I at UTK’s School of Information Sciences have started a Facebook group for readers of the Knoxville Voice.  We hope to provide a place for discussion of the stories we read in Knoxville Voice as well as other local issues and events.  If you know of anyone who is currently on Facebook, please pass the word.

Keep up all the great work!