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The organization lifted the ban in 2015, allowing such donors to give blood after abstaining from sex for 12 months. The FDA initially began its lifetime ban on gay, bi and queer men back in 1983 as a cautionary measure during the HIV epidemic. In this photograph, a medical worker looks at bags used to store blood after a patient donates. "The FDA remains committed to considering alternatives to time-based deferral by generating the scientific evidence that is intended to support an individual risk assessment-based blood donor questionnaire," an FDA spokesperson told the aforementioned publication.Ī new study by the Food and Drug Administration could change a longstanding prohibition on accepting blood donations from men who sleep with other men. The FDA adpoted the three-month abstinence policy in March after congressional Democrats urged them to do so as a way to possibly increase donations during the coronavirus pandemic. The pilot study, entitled ADVANCE: Assessing Donor Variability And New Concepts in Eligibility, will collaborate with three of the nation's largest blood centers-Vitalant, OneBlood and the American Red Cross-and LGBTQ community centers nationwide to examine whether the FDA should change its policies against gay, bisexual and queer male donors, ABC News reports.Ĭurrently, the FDA won't accept donations from such men unless they've abstained from sex for three months prior to donating. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched a study that could end 1980s-era prohibitions against blood donations from men who have sex with men. It's hard to say, but we should always follow our own instincts and do what feels right for ourselves.The U.S. So what should gay and bisexual men do in this situation? How much of this responsibility is on us versus the FDA? One Twitter user said he lied and was able to donate plasma but after learning that he was using the HIV prevention medication PrEP, his blood was still turned away. "I’m willing to prioritize my own righteousness below the needs of the little girl in that video and others in need.īut is that the ethically right choice? Not everyone is so sure. Editors note for transparency: I joined in on the Twitter conversation as well.Īnd there are other factors at play as well. "If you want to give blood just lie," chimed in comedian Joel Kim Booster. They believe it is our duty to help each other out and if the government's outdated rule stands in the way of that, gay and bi men should just lie about their sexual history and give blood anyway.
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The debate began on Twitter with LGBTQ+ folks pointing out that because of the rule, it's not their issue. While the shortage is alarming for all Americans and many gay and bi men want to donate, many feel backed into a corner. It's an outdated, discriminatory, and illogical policy that perpetuates stigma against gay men, especially since all given blood is screened for "infectious disease pathogens" like STIs and HIV, according to the CDC. In 2015, they allowed gay and bi men to give after being abstinent for one year then, in 2020, they updated the policy to just 3 months, largely because of the impact coronavirus had on holding blood drives. The Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis and it has reignited the discussion of giving among gay and bisexual men.Ī rule birthed during the AIDS crisis of the 80s, the FDA completely banned men who have sex with men from giving blood for over three decades.