Lock Upp’s Saisha Shinde talks about being declined to donate blood: It is beyond discriminatory

Designer Saisha Shinde was on her way to donate blood when she was informed by the authorities that she won’t be able to do the noble deed. “I got a call midway reaching there that I can’t donate my blood because of some medical guidelines,” Shinde narrates.

A curious Shinde did her “research” and learnt about the blood referral. “As per those laws there are certain kind of people who cannot donate blood. People who are in the high risk category of illnesses. Which is why transgenders, gay men, lesbians cannot donate blood Apparently we come in those category of carrying STDs. The irony is two years ago I donated my blood but now because my identity has changed I cannot donate blood. As if my blood has changed. But it’s not . I could be carrying those diseases as a gay man. It is beyond discriminatory,” Shinde recalls.

The irony is that this happened with Shinde during the Pride Month which is all about celebrating all identities. “For me pride Month is not just limited to one month. Trans visibility shouldn’t just be limited to one month but all time. I should not be put on magazine covers just because it’s Pride Month. I shouldn’t be interviewed only in Pride Month. The achievement of my community is throughout the year. For me, every time Pride Month comes in, I joke with my friends, that it’s the month I make the most money . The kind of collaborations and project you get are much higher in Pride Month. For me pride Month is a cash register. It is sad because everyone wants to talk how inclusive we are or how we have made collections inspired by pride. But how much of that is actually benefitting the community. No one’s taking the accountability of that,” Shinde elaborates.

Furthermore the Lock Upp contestant also talks about her dating experience with straight men, and much more while she gives us a peak into her wardrobe.

To watch the entire video interview head to the HTCity’s YouTube channel.