In Two Years No Canadian Scientist Has Applied For Grant To Research Blood Donations By Gay Men, Hawaii Senate Passes Civil Unions Bill, New Poll Finds Majority Of New Yorkers Support Same Sex Marriage, Chick-Fil-A Indiana University At South Bend Controversy, Adam Lambert, Pretty Alex Pettyfer Takes It Off For Ellen

Two years after the Canadian Blood Services created a $500,000 grant to research if and when gay men can safely donate blood, not one scientist has applied to do the work and that has baffled officials, according to a report in the Montreal Gazette. Currently, gay men who have been sexually active with another man since 1977 are banned from donating blood their entire lifetime because of fears the blood would be tainted with HIV, the policy created at the height of HIV/AIDS hysteria. Lorna Tessier, the director of public relations for the Canadian Blood Service, who earlier hinted that the agency wants the archaic policy lifted, said “Researchers of Canada: pay attention. Get on this. It’s a fully funded grant opportunity in a very interesting area of research.” She added that the current policy is “unsustainable,” but that the CBS requires researchers to aid in determining the condition under which it would safe to allow gay men to donate blood; research that could then be presented to Health Canada. Canadian researchers have long maintained that the ban is outdated and should be eliminated; arguing that the ban limits the supply of blood and, more importantly, that it is in fact hypocritical since there are hardly any restrictions on heterosexual donors, regardless of their promiscuity.

Good news from Hawaii, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reporting that the state Senate passed a measure Friday that allow all couples – same sex or opposite – to enter into a civil union that would hold all the rights, privileges, and protections as traditional marriage. Senators voted 19-6 to pass Senate Bill 232. The bill now heads to the House for consideration. The proposed bill is similar to House Bill 444 which was passed in 2010 by both the Senate and House only to be vetoed by then Republican Governor Linda Lingle, who argued the measure was same sex marriage by a different name. This year, however, Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie said he is fully support of civil union legislation and intends the sign the bill into law when it reaches his desk.

A new Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday revealed that 56-percent of New Yorkers support same sex marriage, reports WNYT. That number represents a significant reversal from 2004 when 55-percent of state residents opposed its legalization.

There were reports that Chick-Fil-A had been banned from the campus of Indiana University at South Bend because some students had protested after learning the company’s charitable division, WinShape Foundation, had been active in fighting against marriage equality, aligning itself with Focus on the Family, the National Organization for Marriage, the Pennsylvania Family Institute, and Exodus International, which promotes reparative therapy. Chick-Fil-A itself is donating food to an event hosted by the Pennsylvania Family Institute, and that purportedly prompted the ban. However, WSBT reports that school officials say the chain remains approved by Indiana University and can continue to do business, however IU South Bend has suspended the once-a-week service from Chick-Fil-A pending a review of food service policies.

Adam Lambert – and his new, um, “look” – spotted along Melrose Avenue Friday.

Pretty Alex Pettyfer appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres show Friday, ostensibly to discuss his new film I Am Number Four, and to discuss his current girlfriend, Glee’s Dianna Agron, but thankfully Ellen also convinced him to remove his shirt.