Close X
Tuesday, November 19, 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

    Nova Scotia Confident In Renewable Energy Target With Or Without Muskrat Falls

    Nova Scotia Confident In Renewable Energy Target With Or Without Muskrat Falls
    HALIFAX — Nova Scotia's energy minister says he's confident the province can meet its targets for renewable energy despite potential delays with the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project in Labrador.

    Nova Scotia Confident In Renewable Energy Target With Or Without Muskrat Falls

    Most Of Passengers, Crew With Gastrointestinal Illness Have Recovered: Company

    Most Of Passengers, Crew With Gastrointestinal Illness Have Recovered: Company
    Most of the hundreds of people who became sick in a suspected norovirus outbreak on board a British cruise ship have recovered from their symptoms, the owner of the vessel said Tuesday.

    Most Of Passengers, Crew With Gastrointestinal Illness Have Recovered: Company

    30-Year-Old Siamese Cat Is Named World's Oldest Living Cat

    30-Year-Old Siamese Cat Is Named World's Oldest Living Cat
    Guinness says Scooter celebrated his 30th birthday on March 26. He lives in Mansfield, Texas

    30-Year-Old Siamese Cat Is Named World's Oldest Living Cat

    StatCan Says Census Suspended Indefinitely For Fort McMurray After Wildfire

    StatCan Says Census Suspended Indefinitely For Fort McMurray After Wildfire
    Statistics Canada says it's aware of the difficult circumstances and is suspending collection activities from them indefinitely ahead of today's deadline.

    StatCan Says Census Suspended Indefinitely For Fort McMurray After Wildfire

    Pastor Tells Toronto Murder Trial Of Confession That Led To Break In Case

    Pastor Tells Toronto Murder Trial Of Confession That Led To Break In Case
    Rev. Eduardo Cruz says Elaine Biddersingh came to him in November 2011 and told him about the death of her stepdaughter, Melonie.

    Pastor Tells Toronto Murder Trial Of Confession That Led To Break In Case

    Jian Ghomeshi Expected In Court Wednesday On Sex Assault Charge He Faces, Ministry Says

    Jian Ghomeshi Expected In Court Wednesday On Sex Assault Charge He Faces, Ministry Says
    The Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General announced the court date today.

    Jian Ghomeshi Expected In Court Wednesday On Sex Assault Charge He Faces, Ministry Says