'Game of Thrones' Blood Donation Event Alienates LGBTQ Fans

It’s awesome when a show encourages its fans to do some good in the world, but it’s a little less awesome when, by design, that leaves a subset of fandom feeling pretty left out.

That’s what is currently happening with LGBTQGame of Thrones fans.

To promote the final season of the show, HBO is giving fans the honor to “Bleed for the Throne” aka donate blood to the Red Cross.

There are coordinated blood drives across the U.S. for the promotion, including a kick-off event at SXSW, where fans can receive limited edition t-shirts for donating. In addition, anyone who donates will receive a chance to win a trip to New York City for the series premiere.

You can see why LGBTQ men are disappointed.

The long-contested rule that men who have sex with other men, and women who have sex with bisexual men can’t donate blood is still in effect in the United States, with a sad little 2015 update that bends the rules for anyone who has refrained from sex with men for a full year prior to donating.

While HBO claims there is an alternative form of entry for the grand prize, that still hypothetically prevents certain LGBTQ fans from donating blood and getting a t-shirt.

The company also says the immersive GoT experience available at SXSW for those who have given blood to walk through after their donation will be available for fans who are ineligible to donate by waiting in a separate standby line, which is a fun form of alienation if you’re hanging out with your hetero friends and literally have to enter the event through a back door because you’re gay. Not to mention the uncomfortable position someone may be put in if they attend the event with people they aren’t yet out to.

Ultimately, it’s not an issue of HBO or even the Red Cross discriminating against fans, but a stark reminder that the FDA itself is still essentially discriminating against gay men, even in the face of a worldwide blood shortage. Donations are already screened for diseases these days, so many argue the ban is pointless, and only serves to harm the people in need of transfusions perfectly healthy gay and bisexual men could provide.

The event is still a great way to get fans out there rallying for a good cause, and undoubtedly a whole lotta blood will be spilled (carefully, into containers) for the Iron Throne, but it’s too bad outdated rules are turning some fans’ excitement for the final season a little bittersweet.