Speak Out: Blood Donation Policy for Gay and Bisexual Men
It’s been over a week since the deadly shooting incident at an outdoor country music event called Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas.
In the wake of the Las Vegas Strip massacre, a massive outcry all over the world erupted not just online but offline with some taking their protests on the streets to call for stricter gun control. The debate however, isn’t just about gun control but about another equally pressing matter: the issue on the strict blood donation requirements for LGBTQ+. Not everyone is aware up until the recent shooting incident when a fan pleaded Lance Bass to donate blood for the victims but there is a stricter Food and Drug Administration (FDA) blood donor guidelines in place for the LGBT community.
The 2015 revised guidelines however, are already way more lenient than its predecessor wherein it previously stated that men who have sex with men (MSM) are banned from donating blood for life. Today, we can do so provided that there had been “no sexual contact with another man for the last 12 months” (By the way, the restriction extends to “[any] female who has sex with a man who has sex with a man in the past 12 months”). There is a deferral period because according to FDA, MSM still “have the highest HIV risk.”
To read more about the blood donation restrictions, click here.
Of course, netizens took to Twitter to express their thoughts with some calling the clause a “discriminatory policy” while others gave their nod of agreement.
My healthy monogamous 7 year relationship should be treated low risk just as a straight couple when donating blood..PERIOD. #Discrimination
— Lance Bass (@LanceBass) October 5, 2017
FDA has rules for a reason. You have the right to chose your sexual orientation, but you give up the right to give blood.
— Kim Huffman (@khuffman66) October 6, 2017
It infuriates me that gay & bisexual men can be turned away from donating blood in Las Vegas because of the @US_FDA‘s discriminatory policy.
— Shane Bitney Crone (@ShaneBitney) October 2, 2017
I agree!! @US_FDA the blood donated is tested for everything before it’s given! This policy needs to be lifted as AIDS is NOT a gay thing!!
— Travis Jackson (@Trav9510) October 3, 2017
We have the same policies here in New Zealand. Supposedly we are all diseased.
— Daniel Paul (@GayKiwiDan) October 2, 2017
Not discrimination! Who wants to receive blood only to realize they received HIV too? Look at the facts, not feelings
— Miriam Koens (@miriam_koens) October 6, 2017
On the other hand, FDA did create these measures to ensure blood safety and they constantly monitor and review the current policy. Not to mention that in the past, FDA was also known to have asked the public’s input and thoughts on the matter and this is why it is always important to let our voice be heard.
That being said, how do you feel about this blood donation requirement for gay and bisexual men? Do you think that this particular safety measure is valid? Why or why not?
Share with us your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.
At this day and age, everyone should be tested before donating blood. No one exempt from blood borne diseases such as HIV. To target the LGBT community is discrimination.
I’ve got a double wammy. I’m banned because I was stationed in Eroupe with the military for longer then six months resulting in my potential exposure to mad cow from local beef?
American military bases consume chilled beef which is US beef that ages enroute in cold storage containers. Otherwise it’s all frozen US beef, but the rules only go by the amount of time you were there.
With only testing for two strains out of the three known strains of mad cow I’m a risk despite my potential exposure being over 20 years ago.
I was banned long before becoming try-sexual, so I have up trying long ago.
I was a regular doner with a three gallon pin until I got the lifetime boot.
I get the over protectiveness of the blood supply so I’m good with it even though I never got to earn my for gallon pin.
I don’t see how this is different from the perverted straight men bangging so many different women at times without a condom. Sometimes heteros also engage in anal sex. Double standards at its best in plain 2017.
To me, all it says is that the blood isn’t screened enough and it s a failsafe for donation centers to not be sued if hiv is contracted. It s 2017 and if blood were tested properly, anyone and be able to donate blood…
We are a high risk group. Even though blood is tested before anyone can give, blood can still be infected, even though it tests negative because of that 6 month window. I don’t now why the policy is a year though. If you haven’t been sexually active for 6 months and your blood tests negative, there would be no hiv risk.
Oh woe is us.. We share body fluids, we’re gay, and its just so not fair that we shouldn’t be able to drop our fluids into the pool everyone else uses.
And there’s just NO NO NO other place we could spend our time and money helping people who need REALLY REALLY REALLY need our help.
All we have is blood.
Really?
I am a regular blood donor, which encourages me to stay safe and limit my encounters. I’m not sure the ban is scientifically valid anymore.
I think this “policy” is very unfortunate. While I understand that the Red Cross wants to be cautious, it’s simply unfair. There are several “straight” men that are more promiscuous than I am. To put this in perspective, I not only used to donate blood very consistently, but I even organized several blood drives in which hundreds of donors would participate. But I no longer attempt to donate, because if I were to say that it had been more than a year since my last contact, I would be lying. I would hope there would be better controls in place that ensure that all blood that makes its way “into the system” is safe, be it from a gay or a straight donor.
Any medical related issue that affects innocent people should have precautions. What if you are gay and HIV negative and receive infected blood, how would you feel?
It’s a damn shame how the government still have the 1980’s mindsets. Any man regardless what he label himself whether straight, gay, bi etc is going to be at risk of HIV as long as they’re having sex in their daily lives. There are so many guys who says they are straight and actually the first ones to pass on the virus to their partners because they are not out nor know they even have it!!! The government would have to police everyone’s lives everyday to know who’s sleeping with who instead of going by another man’s word that he’s straight and never had desire to touch a guy crap. That’s how people catch sh*t believing a guy is straight because HE says he is straight is like believing a man who loves his wife could never cheat on her…till you see him with another person and sometimes a MAN.
Donated blood goes through a battery of tests before being given to anyone anymore. HIV…NOT AIDS…is what’s in the blood….AIDS DEVELOPS FROM THE RESULT OF HIV INFECTION. To the idiot that thinks you “CHOOSE” your sexual orientation….get a life and clue. It’s NOT a choice. No person in their right mind would choose to be ridiculed, bashed, or even killed for being gay , bi, or lesbian. My blood type is THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER….CMV- or O neg because I’m a universal donor. However I can only accept certain blood. I’m hiv neg and I wouldn’t donate blood just to make sure ignorant bigots can’t get help. Harsh? Absolutely! As long as your life gets saved who in the hell cares who the donor was….since blood is very well tested in this day and age.
At the rate gay men have sex with one another and are promiscuous along with their sex practices, there is no telling when some new disease is going to originate or mutate into the next major health crisis just like HIV/AIDS. Think of someone other than yourselves for once and quit looking for things to complain or be indignant about. Gay men’s behavior and attitudes are really getting old and people are sick of hearing all the whining about your rights. Just shut up and fuck.
Since ALL blood donated is tested for potential diseases before distribution this ban is totally ludicrous. Heterosexuals are not subject to restrictions and they can certainly have HIV, Hepatitis etc. But I doubt if the restrictions will be lifted under the current administration.
I think uncut penises are so nasty looking. Just the way I feel.
Although many gay and bi men are monogamous, the reality is that a GREAT many are not. This is not about discrimination and rights; it’s about keeping the blood supply safe.
These requirements should be dropped. Heterosexuals may have as many sexual and indiscreet partners as gays. It is a perception that gays are more “loose” but that is not true. HIV does not discriminate because it is a biological disease not a cultural one. It was never a gay disease and still isn’t, so all people should be treated equally when donating. Besides all blood is suppose to be tested anyway.
There are no friends in life, if you are gay? You are just alone.
I feel this way. I have felt & been discriminated against my entire life for being who I am, so if they also do not want my “BLOOD” Fuc_- Them.
Not the most popular opinion, but I actually get the point of this policy. Just me. Kill me now.
The new FDA regulations were a COMPROMISE between scientists and pbysicians, who thought the ban was extraordinarily long and had no basis in fact, and POLITICIANS who just wanted to react to unsubstantiated fears and personal biases. Once again, Congress thinks it knows better than the scientists and doctors who have the facts and understand the risks. Tbis was a political decision, not a medical one.
The policy was made back when AIDS was for a short period called GIDS (Gay Immune Deficiency Syndrome) at the time all new HIV case was thought to be connected gay men. Thought the theory was quickly debunked and name AIDS was made official the rules made during the short period it was called GIDS remained. Just a rule they never decided to take the time to investigate when they implemented it and never took the time to remove it. Fact is gay men are ay a higher risk of infections of any kind. I use condoms but officially condoms are not approved for anal sex so they default all gay men into the unprotected regardless of condom use.
A few things that need to be said..
First..where does anyone see discrimination? If you have sex with a man you’re risknis higher regardless on where u lie in the spectrum.
Second male homosexuals are for the most part promiscuous. I
f you’re not good for you but don’t get all pissy bout it. You cant expect the general population to be comfortable with this. Should the red cross just believe you..oh wait..mto point 3
Why is the red cross willing to take anyone’s verbal sex history as fact? Makes me kinda nervous.
I’m curious how the undetectable scene plays into all thos. Maybe it’s now safe for hiv+ to donate. Even though blood shortages are common…we can’t donate. Find some other altruistic hobby
I keep reading that gay men are sex crazed and fuck anybody and everybody. Where are they? I’m fifty something and it’s really hard for me to get dates. I’m attractive and in good shape. Most gay guys I come across are very picky and just don’t hop in bed with lolly dolly everybody……. As far as donating blood I agree with a comment I read earlier when the person wrote that we can help the American needy in many many many other ways.