Close X
Sunday, November 10, 2024
ADVT 
National

'Misinformed Vandals' Target Wrong Agency For Restrictions On Trans Blood Donors

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 02 Aug, 2016 12:22 PM
    HALIFAX — The Canadian Red Cross says a "misinformed vandal" went on a graffiti spree on its Nova Scotia headquarters and vehicles, protesting transgender blood-donation policies even though the charity hasn't collected blood for two decades.
     
    The Red Cross said Monday signs around its building in Dartmouth, two trailers, two trucks, a van and a sedan were all defaced with permanent markers sometime late Friday or early Saturday.
     
    The all-caps graffiti said the society "discriminates against trans women" and stated "all trans women are women. No surgery needed."
     
    But the Red Cross said it hasn't collected blood since the 1990s, when Canadian Blood Services took over the job.
     
    "We were a little puzzled because of the wording of the message," Dan Bedell, the Red Cross's regional communications director, said Monday.
     
    "We weren't even aware of what the issue was, quite frankly, I had to look it up online. It was really misdirected against us."
     
    Canadian Blood Services is changing its donor policies as of this month, saying on its website that it will accept donations from trans men one year after they have had genital surgery.
     
    The Red Cross says staffers spent some of their long weekend cleaning up the mess, but some repainting may be necessary, including of the building's main exterior sign.
     
    "If people have views to express, there are lawful ways to do it," said Bedell, who said the graffiti appears to be the work of one person.
     
    The costs have not yet been determined, but Bedell said they're hoping it's in "the hundreds, rather than thousands of dollars."

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Justin Trudeau Announces New Selection Process For Supreme Court Of Canada Judges

    The government announced Tuesday it will change the manner in which a Supreme Court justice is appointed, saying it's time for the process to "demonstrate a degree of rigour and responsibility" that may have been missing in the past.

    Justin Trudeau Announces New Selection Process For Supreme Court Of Canada Judges

    Justin Trudeau Becomes First Sitting Prime Minister To March In Vancouver Pride Parade

    Justin Trudeau Becomes First Sitting Prime Minister To March In Vancouver Pride Parade
    Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is no stranger to Vancouver's Pride parade, having taken part in the annual celebration for the past several years.

    Justin Trudeau Becomes First Sitting Prime Minister To March In Vancouver Pride Parade

    B.C. Foreign Buyer Tax Won't Make Big Dent In Housing Affordability

    B.C. Foreign Buyer Tax Won't Make Big Dent In Housing Affordability
    Experts are expressing doubt a property transfer tax on foreign buyers that takes effect Tuesday will have a significant impact on housing affordability in Metro Vancouver.

    B.C. Foreign Buyer Tax Won't Make Big Dent In Housing Affordability

    Abbotsford Man, 61, Arrested For Child Pornography After Year-Long Investigation

    Police in the Fraser Valley city say 61-year-old Barry Granbois was arrested following a year-long investigation.

    Abbotsford Man, 61, Arrested For Child Pornography After Year-Long Investigation

    Shambhala Music Fest Crowdfunds For Drug-Checking Machine Amid Fentanyl Overdose Crisis

    Shambhala Music Fest Crowdfunds For Drug-Checking Machine Amid Fentanyl Overdose Crisis
    Shambhala organizers will also hand out 4,000 pamphlets warning about the deadly drug fentanyl to those attending the festival that starts Wednesday.

    Shambhala Music Fest Crowdfunds For Drug-Checking Machine Amid Fentanyl Overdose Crisis

    Chivalry Could Rule In Kimberley, B.C., As Organizers Mull Medieval Contest

    Chivalry Could Rule In Kimberley, B.C., As Organizers Mull Medieval Contest
    KIMBERLEY, B.C. — A southeastern British Columbia city could soon begin brushing up on heraldry, the chivalric code and everything medieval as it mulls a knightly proposal.

    Chivalry Could Rule In Kimberley, B.C., As Organizers Mull Medieval Contest