I have donated to the
Red Cross and strongly urge everyone else to do the same.
Because of anti-gay discrimination problems from the Red Cross (in not accepting healthy gay blood), I am also strongly recommending donations to:
The Rainbow World Fund.
With the unfathomable suffering going on right now, it is not the time to punish the Red Cross, but instead to temporarily put aside these issues and give to them. However, I hope that perhaps the Rainbow World Fund will provide an addition option for some like me who are troubled by the Red Cross's discriminatory practices.
Also, down the road, after things are rebuilt, more of us should make an effort to help educate the Red Cross to fix the injustice. It is a shame that many of us have to feel problems of conscience while giving to an otherwise so wonderful organization.
I realize that the Red Cross is following a goverment guideline in discriminatorily rejecting healthy gay blood, however, I also understand that in 2000, their organization urged the government not to change this rule.